Ever wonder why that bear sounds so familiar? You’re watching Grizzly try to make a viral video or Panda obsessing over his phone, and it hits you. That’s because the voice actors of we bare bears aren't just random studio hires. They are comedy heavyweights.
Honestly, the chemistry between these three leads is the secret sauce. Most shows just find "voice guys." We Bare Bears found actual personalities. When Daniel Chong created the show, he didn’t just want voices; he wanted people who felt like the bears.
The Energy Behind the Bears
Let’s talk about Eric Edelstein. He plays Grizzly. Grizz is the oldest, the loudest, and—let’s be real—the most prone to disaster. Edelstein brings this frantic, desperate-to-be-liked energy that makes the character work. Before he was a bear, you probably saw him in Jurassic World or Twin Peaks. He’s a character actor in every sense. He doesn't just "do a voice." He lives in that big, brown, over-enthusiastic skin.
Then there’s Bobby Moynihan as Panda. If you’re a fan of Saturday Night Live, you know Bobby. He was Drunk Uncle. He was Riblet. On this show, he’s the soft, sensitive middle brother. Panda is basically all of us on a bad day—anxious about likes, obsessed with his phone, and constantly failing at dating. Moynihan’s natural voice has this slight rasp and vulnerability. It’s perfect for a panda who just wants to be loved by the internet.
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And then we have the fan favorite. Ice Bear.
Demetri Martin is the voice behind the stoic, axe-wielding youngest brother. Martin is a deadpan comedian known for his sketches and "Important Things" show. He barely speaks as Ice Bear. But when he does? It’s gold. He refers to himself in the third person. "Ice Bear bought this legally." It’s iconic. People often think Ice Bear is just a robot, but Martin gives him a weirdly soulful, protective vibe.
The Supporting Cast is Secretly Stacked
You might not realize how many "big" names pop up in the background. It’s kinda wild.
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- Charlyne Yi as Chloe Park: The child prodigy friend. Yi has this incredibly distinct, high-pitched voice. You might know them from House or as Ruby in Steven Universe. They bring a genuine, non-annoying kid energy to the show.
- Patton Oswalt as Nom Nom: The villain you love to hate. Nom Nom is an internet-famous koala who is a total jerk. Oswalt is the king of playing arrogant-yet-hilarious characters. He makes you want to hug Nom Nom and also throw him out a window.
- Jason Lee as Charlie: The bigfoot! Yes, the guy from My Name is Earl and Almost Famous plays the socially awkward, oversized forest dweller. Charlie is loud, messy, and lacks boundaries. Lee plays him with so much heart that you can't help but feel bad for the guy when he gets lonely.
It’s this specific mix of indie darlings and mainstream comedy stars that gives the show its edge. It doesn't feel like a "kids' show." It feels like a sitcom that happens to be animated.
Why the Voice Casting Actually Matters
Most people think voice acting is just reading lines in a booth. It’s not. Especially not here. The voice actors of we bare bears had to record together often to get that sibling bickering right. You can't fake that timing.
Think about the "Baby Bears" episodes. They actually used younger actors for those! Sam Lavagnino (Grizz), Duncan Joiner (Panda), and others took over for the flashbacks. This gave the show a distinct "growing up" feel. It wasn't just the adults doing "baby voices," which always sounds a bit creepy. It felt real.
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The show ended in 2020 with We Bare Bears: The Movie, but the legacy of these performances lives on in We Baby Bears. However, for the purists, the original trio—Edelstein, Moynihan, and Martin—is the gold standard. They captured the "modern loneliness" of the 2010s better than almost any live-action show.
How to Appreciate the Craft
If you want to really see the range of these actors, do this:
- Watch "Icy Nights": Pay attention to Demetri Martin's delivery. He says almost nothing, yet you feel his intense cool-factor.
- Listen for the guest stars: Keep your ears open for Ellie Kemper, Cameron Esposito, and even K-pop group Monsta X.
- Check out the actors' live work: Watch Bobby Moynihan on SNL or Eric Edelstein in Shameless. It makes you appreciate how much of their real physical comedy they pour into these animated bears.
The show works because it’s grounded in human emotion. The bears want to belong. They want to be famous. They want to eat Korean tacos. Because the actors are comedians first, they understand the "cringe" of social situations. That’s why we relate to three bears living in a cave in the woods.
Next time you see a clip of Ice Bear making a smoothie or Panda crying over a broken screen, remember the people in the booth. They aren't just voices; they're the soul of the stack.
To get the most out of your We Bare Bears experience, try watching the "Every Ice Bear Line" compilations on YouTube. It highlights the genius of Demetri Martin's comedic timing. You can also follow the creator, Daniel Chong, on social media for behind-the-scenes sketches that show how these voices influenced the character designs over time.