You’ve heard the voice. That booming, ultra-patriotic, slightly-too-intense baritone of Stan Smith. It’s iconic. But if you’ve ever sat through the credits of a Sunday night binge, you might’ve noticed something weird. The names don’t always match the faces you’d expect. Honestly, the cast of this show is one of the most talented—and surprisingly small—groups in animation history.
Seth MacFarlane is obviously the big name here. He’s the creator, the face of the brand, and the guy who basically carries the show on his back. But who are the voices of American Dad when you move past the big boss? It’s a mix of sitcom legends, a Knight of the British Empire, and a guy who is literally playing himself.
The Man of a Thousand (Or Like, Five) Voices: Seth MacFarlane
Seth MacFarlane doesn't just voice Stan Smith. That would be too easy. He also does Roger. And when I say Roger, I mean every single one of Roger’s personas, from Ricky Spanish to Jeannie Gold.
It’s kind of wild to think about.
Stan is that classic, rigid, 1950s-hero-on-steroids voice. Roger is... well, Roger is a flamboyant, fey, pansexual alien who sounds like a drunk Paul Lynde. MacFarlane has mentioned in interviews that Roger is actually his favorite character to play because there are zero limits. If you listen closely to the early seasons versus the 2026 episodes, you can hear his voice aging a bit. It's deeper. A little raspier. Some fans on Reddit have pointed out that Stan sounds a bit more like Brian from Family Guy lately, which makes sense—the man has been screaming into a microphone for over twenty years.
He also voices Greg Corbin, the local news anchor. It’s a busy job.
The Heart of the Smith House: Wendy Schaal
Wendy Schaal is Francine. Period.
Without her, the show doesn't work. While Stan is the "main" character, Francine is often the funniest person in the room. Schaal brings this perfect mix of "sweet suburban housewife" and "secretly a former groupie who has killed a man."
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Before she was Francine, Schaal was all over 80s TV. She was in The 'Burbs with Tom Hanks and had a recurring role on It's a Living. She’s been with the show since day one in 2005. Interestingly, Francine’s character has changed the most. In the beginning, she was a bit of a cliché. Now? She’s a wild card. Schaal’s ability to pivot from a motherly "Oh, Stan!" to a gutteral, screaming maniac is why we love her.
Steve Smith and the Golden Pipes of Scott Grimes
If you don't know Scott Grimes, you're missing out.
He isn't just a voice actor. He’s a legitimate singer and a live-action star. You might recognize him as Lieutenant Gordon Malloy from The Orville or Dr. Archie Morris from ER.
When he voices Steve Smith, he does things with his vocal cords that shouldn't be humanly possible. The "Steve scream"—that high-pitched, glass-shattering wail—is all him. No pitch-shifting, no digital tricks. Just Scott Grimes' raw talent.
Why Scott Grimes is the MVP
- The Singing: Whenever Steve starts a Boyz II Men-style R&B ballad, that’s really Scott.
- The Vulnerability: Steve is a dork, but Grimes makes him endearing rather than annoying.
- The Longevity: He’s been playing a 14-year-old for two decades without missing a beat.
The Rest of the Family: Rachael MacFarlane and Dee Bradley Baker
Rachael MacFarlane is Seth’s younger sister. She plays Hayley Smith. It’s a bit of a family business, isn't it?
Hayley is the liberal conscience of the show, but Rachael gives her a dry, cynical edge that keeps her from being a "preachy" character. She also does a ton of incidental voices. If there’s a random female character in the background, there’s a 50% chance it’s her.
Then there’s Klaus.
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Dee Bradley Baker is the man behind the fish. If you’ve seen Star Wars: The Clone Wars, he’s every single Clone Trooper. If you’ve seen Phineas and Ferb, he’s Perry the Platypus. In American Dad, he plays an East German Olympic ski jumper trapped in a goldfish's body.
Initially, Klaus was supposed to be French. Baker auditioned with a German accent because he thought it was funnier, and the creators just went with it. It was a good call. The "sad, lonely German fish" trope is a goldmine for the writers.
The Weird Case of Jeff Fischer
This is my favorite piece of trivia. Jeff Fischer is played by... Jeff Fischer.
The character was literally modeled after the actor. They kept the name. They kept the look. They even kept the "stoner-lite" personality. Jeff (the real human) was a friend of the producers and basically walked into the easiest job in Hollywood. He’s also a big-time wine producer in real life, which is a hilarious contrast to his character who usually can't find his own shoes.
Heavy Hitters in Recurring Roles
The show has some serious prestige.
Sir Patrick Stewart as Avery Bullock
It never gets old. Hearing the man who played Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Professor X talk about "using his cocaine for bad things" is the height of comedy. Stewart has said that he loves the role because it allows him to be completely ridiculous. He doesn't just phone it in; he gives Bullock a Shakespearean gravity that makes the dirty jokes hit ten times harder.
Kevin Michael Richardson as Principal Lewis
Kevin Michael Richardson has one of the deepest, most recognizable voices in the industry. He voices Principal Lewis, arguably the most unhinged character in the show’s history. Whether he’s "rummaging for his end-of-days supplies" or leading a drug cartel, Richardson’s booming bass makes every line a classic.
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Tracking the Change: Does the Cast Stay the Same?
People often ask if the show has replaced anyone.
Mostly, no. Unlike The Simpsons or Rick and Morty, the core cast has remained remarkably stable. The only major shift was very early on. In the unaired pilot, Steve Smith was voiced by Ricky Blitt and was designed to be much scrawnier. When Scott Grimes took over, they actually redesigned the character to look a bit "sturdier" to match his voice.
Other than that, it's the same gang.
Who Are the Voices of American Dad: The Complete List
If you need a quick reference for the main players, here is how the credits usually shake out:
- Stan Smith / Roger / Greg Corbin: Seth MacFarlane
- Francine Smith: Wendy Schaal
- Steve Smith: Scott Grimes
- Hayley Smith: Rachael MacFarlane
- Klaus: Dee Bradley Baker
- Jeff Fischer: Jeff Fischer
- Avery Bullock: Patrick Stewart
- Principal Lewis: Kevin Michael Richardson
- Snot Lonstein: Curtis Armstrong
Why It Works
The reason American Dad has outlasted so many other animated shows is the chemistry. Even though they usually record their lines separately (that's just how animation works), you can feel the rhythm. They know these characters. When Scott Grimes and Seth MacFarlane do a "Steve and Roger" B-plot, the comedic timing is surgical.
It’s not just about "funny voices." It’s about acting.
If you want to dive deeper into the world of Langley Falls, start paying attention to the guest stars. You’ll hear everyone from Paget Brewster to Chris Pine popping up in minor roles. The show has become a "cool kid" club for Hollywood actors who want to do something weird for a day.
For the most up-to-date look at the series, check out the latest season on TBS or stream the backlog on Hulu. You’ll start to recognize the nuances in the performances, especially how Seth MacFarlane manages to keep Stan and Roger feeling like two completely different entities, even when they’re screaming at each other in the same scene.
Watch a few episodes from Season 1 and then jump to Season 20. The evolution of the voices is a fascinating look at how long-running TV actually ages alongside its creators.