You know that voice. It’s deep, it’s resonant, and it sounds exactly like a man who would get genuinely excited about the perfect batch of spinach puffs. If you’ve spent any time watching The Emperor’s New Groove, you’ve probably asked yourself: who is the voice of Kronk?
The answer is Patrick Warburton.
Honestly, it’s hard to imagine anyone else playing the lovable, bumbling muscle to Eartha Kitt’s Yzma. Warburton has one of those voices that you recognize within three syllables. It’s a baritone that manages to be both imposing and incredibly sweet at the same time. While Kuzco was the star and Pacha was the heart, Kronk—with his shoulder angels and squirrel-speak—became the undisputed breakout character of the 2000 Disney classic.
The Man Behind the Muscle: Patrick Warburton
Warburton didn’t just show up and read lines. He built a character that was originally supposed to be a minor background thug. Before he was talking to squirrels, Patrick Warburton was already a household name for sitcom fans. Most people knew him as David Puddy from Seinfeld, the deadpan, high-fiving boyfriend of Elaine Benes.
That same "deadpan" energy is exactly what made Kronk work.
In The Emperor’s New Groove, Kronk is technically a villain. Or, well, he works for one. But Warburton played him with such a total lack of malice that you couldn’t help but root for him. He’s just a guy who likes cooking and wants to do a good job, even if that job involves poisoning an emperor.
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Interestingly, Warburton has mentioned in interviews that Kronk is "nearest and dearest to his heart." It’s a role he’s returned to more than almost any other in his career.
Why the Voice of Kronk is So Iconic
There is a specific cadence to the way Warburton speaks. He has this way of dropping his voice an extra octave when Kronk gets confused. When you ask who is the voice of Kronk, you aren't just asking for a name; you're asking about the person who improvised one of the funniest scenes in Disney history.
Remember the scene where Kronk is humming his own "stealth mission" theme music while carrying Kuzco in a bag?
That wasn't in the script.
Warburton just started doing it in the booth. The directors loved it so much they kept it in, but Disney’s legal team reportedly made him sign over the rights to that specific "composition." So, technically, Disney owns that little hum forever.
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Beyond the Spinach Puffs: A Career of Voices
While Kronk might be his most "Disney" role, Patrick Warburton is basically the king of modern voice acting. If you grew up in the early 2000s, he was everywhere.
- Family Guy: He plays Joe Swanson, the high-intensity, wheelchair-using police officer.
- The Venture Bros: He is the voice of Brock Samson, the ultimate secret agent bodyguard.
- Bee Movie: He played Ken (the guy who is rightfully suspicious of the talking bee).
- Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: He actually took over the voice of Buzz for the animated series.
- Kim Possible: He was Mr. Barkin, the intense substitute teacher/everything-else.
His live-action work is just as varied. He starred in the cult favorite The Tick and spent years on the sitcom Rules of Engagement. Recently, he played Lemony Snicket in the Netflix adaptation of A Series of Unfortunate Events.
But even with all those credits, fans always circle back to the guy in the apron.
The Evolution of Kronk Pepikrankenitz
Kronk is one of the few Disney sidekicks to get his own movie. In 2005, Disney released Kronk's New Groove. Usually, direct-to-video sequels are... well, they aren't great. But because the entire main cast returned—including Warburton, Eartha Kitt, and David Spade—it actually held onto that weird, meta-humor that made the first one a hit.
The character also starred in The Emperor's New School TV series. Warburton voiced Kronk for all 52 episodes. Think about that for a second. That is a lot of time spent talking about the "poison for Kuzco."
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The Warburton Legacy in 2026
Even now, decades after the movie premiered, the voice is unmistakable. Just recently, Warburton participated in a 25th-anniversary event where his three sons—Talon, Gabriel, and Shane—tried to mimic his iconic Kronk lines. It turns out the "Warburton Baritone" is a genetic trait. His sons sounded eerily like their father, proving that the voice of Kronk is truly one of a kind.
If you ever visit Disney World, you’ll hear him there too. He’s the guy in the "Soarin'" pre-show video telling you to put your "little beauties" (your bags) under the seat. He also voices a droid in the Star Tours queue.
Basically, Patrick Warburton is the unofficial voice of your childhood.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you want to dive deeper into the world of the man behind the voice, here are a few things you can actually do:
- Watch the Documentary: Look for The Sweatbox. It’s an unreleased (but leaked) documentary about the chaotic production of The Emperor's New Groove. It shows just how much the movie changed and how the cast, including Warburton, saved it from being a serious drama.
- Check Out "The Warburton": Patrick hosts an annual celebrity golf tournament to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. It’s a great way to see the "real" man behind the character.
- Listen to the Audiobooks: For something completely different, Warburton has narrated audiobooks like Dungeon Crawler Carl. Hearing that Kronk-esque voice in a gritty sci-fi setting is a trip.
Knowing who is the voice of Kronk is only half the fun; the real joy is realizing that Patrick Warburton seems to love the character just as much as we do. He isn't an actor who is "too cool" for his cartoon roles. He leans into it. He knows he’s the guy who made us all want to understand squirrel. And honestly? We wouldn't have it any other way.