You know that dry, sarcastic voice that somehow made every 2000s kid want to wear a purple cloak and brood in a corner? That’s Raven. She’s the heart—or the lack thereof, depending on her mood—of the Teen Titans. If you grew up watching the original series or if you’ve been subjected to the chaotic energy of the spin-off, you’ve definitely wondered about the person behind the monotone.
Tara Strong is the voice of Raven in Teen Titans. She’s basically a legend in the voice-acting world. Honestly, if you’ve watched a cartoon in the last thirty years, you’ve heard her. But the way she plays Raven is special. It’s not just "acting sad." It’s a specific, controlled dry wit that has defined the character for over two decades.
The Woman Behind the Hood: Who is Tara Strong?
Tara Strong isn't just a voice; she's an industry titan. Born in Toronto as Tara Charendoff, she started acting when she was just 13. Her first big break? Voicing Hello Kitty.
Think about that. The same woman who voices the dark, demonic daughter of Trigon started out as the world’s most famous cute cat. That’s range.
By the time Teen Titans premiered in 2003, Strong was already a veteran. She had already voiced Bubbles in The Powerpuff Girls and Timmy Turner in The Fairly OddParents. To go from the high-pitched "I’m the cutest!" energy of Bubbles to the deadpan "Azarath Metrion Zenthos" of Raven is a massive leap. Most actors find a niche and stay there. She just builds a new niche whenever she feels like it.
Why Raven’s Voice Changed (And Why It Didn't)
If you rewatch the very first episodes of the 2003 series, Raven sounds... different. She’s a bit higher-pitched. It’s subtle, but fans have noticed for years.
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As the show progressed into Season 2 and beyond, Strong leaned into a deeper, more resonant rasp. This wasn't an accident. As the character of Raven became more complex and the "Terror of Trigon" arc approached, the voice matured with her. It became more soulful.
Then came Teen Titans Go! in 2013.
People have opinions. A lot of them. But regardless of how you feel about the shift from dark action to zany comedy, one thing stayed consistent: the cast. Tara Strong returned to voice Raven, but the performance shifted again. In Go!, Raven is still the "straight man" of the group, but she gets to be silly. She gets to scream. She gets to profess her love for Pretty Pretty Pegasus.
Strong manages to keep the core of Raven’s identity—that "I’m surrounded by idiots" vibe—even when she’s singing a song about waffles.
Is It Always Tara Strong?
Mostly, yes. But if you’re a DC completionist, you might have noticed some other names popping up in the credits of various movies and games.
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While Tara Strong is the "definitive" voice for the animated series, she doesn't have a total monopoly. In the DC Animated Movie Universe (DCAMU)—those grittier, direct-to-video movies like Justice League vs. Teen Titans—Raven is voiced by Taissa Farmiga. You probably know her from American Horror Story. Farmiga brings a different, more youthful and vulnerable energy to the role that fits those specific movies' darker tone.
But wait, there's more. In the live-action Titans series, Raven (or Rachel Roth) is played by Teagan Croft.
Despite these other versions, when people think of the character, they hear Tara Strong. She has voiced Raven in:
- The original Teen Titans (2003–2006)
- Teen Titans Go! (2013–Present)
- Injustice: Gods Among Us (The video game)
- DC Super Hero Girls
- Teen Titans Go! To the Movies
It’s a rare feat in Hollywood to stay attached to a character for this long. It’s been over 20 years.
The Secret Sauce of the Performance
What makes Strong’s Raven so iconic? It’s the restraint.
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Voice acting is often about being "big." You’re over-articulating and pushing energy into a microphone to match moving drawings. Raven is the opposite. She is a character who has to suppress her emotions, or the world literally ends. Strong plays that by pulling back.
She uses a "breathier" register for Raven. It’s almost a whisper sometimes. When Raven gets angry, Strong doesn't just scream; she adds a gravelly texture to the voice that makes you feel like something demonic is bubbling just under the surface.
She’s often mentioned in interviews that Raven is one of her favorite roles because of that complexity. It’s not just a cartoon character; it’s a study in bottled-up emotion.
Beyond the Titans: A Resumé That Won't Quit
If you're still not convinced of her "Expert" status, just look at who else she voices. It's honestly mind-blowing.
- Harley Quinn: She took over the mantle from the late Arleen Sorkin in the Batman: Arkham games.
- Twilight Sparkle: The lead in My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.
- Ben Tennyson: The original voice of the 10-year-old hero in Ben 10.
- Miss Minutes: That creepy orange clock in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (Loki).
She’s a chameleon. You could be watching three different shows on three different networks and be listening to the same woman without even realizing it.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re a fan of the voice work in Teen Titans, don't just stop at the show. Here’s how to actually appreciate the craft:
- Watch the "Nevermore" episode: It's in Season 1 of the original series. Raven’s emotions are split into different "personalities" (pink, gray, green, red). Tara Strong voices all of them, giving each a distinct spin on the Raven persona. It's a masterclass.
- Check out the "Speech Bubble" podcast: Tara has appeared on various episodes (often with fellow voice actors like Greg Cipes, who voices Beast Boy). They talk about the behind-the-scenes process of finding these voices.
- Compare the Injustice voice: Play or watch clips of Raven in the Injustice game. Strong uses a much more sinister, "Dark Raven" tone there that’s worlds away from her Teen Titans Go! performance.
Understanding the person behind the mic makes the character feel more real. Raven might be a half-demon from another dimension, but she’s brought to life by a human who has spent half her life perfecting that one-of-a-kind deadpan.