A good narrator needs a perfect blend of artistic abilities, technical knowledge, and the potential to engage an audience. It is important for a narrator to understand the intent and tone of a documentary as it serves as a way to connect to the audience and bring the documentary to life. Articulation, delivery, consistency, characterization, timing, accent and conference, the checkboxes pertaining to a narrator’s requirements are endless. Storytelling is a challenging job, and only a few can do it well. Here's a look at some of the most well-known documentary narrators.
1. David Attenborough- Any article about documentary narrators is incomplete without his name. He helped make nature documentaries what they are today. Aiming to raise awareness about environmental issues, his portfolio includes documentaries showcasing the wonders of nature. With documentaries such as Planet Earth, Frozen Planet, Life on Earth, and Blue Planet, he has managed to influence people around the world with his body of work that spans over six decades. He has also won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Narrator three years in a row (2018- 2020).
2. Morgan Freeman- With the documentary, Our Universe being his most recent work, Freeman is known for having a deep distinct voice that delivers a soothing experience. His career as a narrator began with his work on The Civil War in 1990. His narration has earned him the title "The voice of god". While studying acting, he received formal training in speaking classes that helped him create one of the most compelling voices. His other works include The Story of God, March of the Penguins, Long Way Home, and Breaking the Taboo.
3. Jacques Costeau- He was a naval officer, explorer, filmmaker, conservationist, and a narrator for many documentaries. He is best known for his documentary, The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau. His passion for the underwater world has made him a pioneer in documentaries about the sea and marine life. Costeau’s passion is expressed through his narration in documentaries such as Oasis in Space, North American Adventures, etc.
4. Werner Herzog- Director, writer, producer, and narrator, he has narrated numerous documentaries like Into the Inferno, Fireball, Grizzly Man, and Encounters at the End of the World. Herzog is referred to as the pioneer of New German Cinema. His voice is known to be intense and eccentric with his distinct German accent helping him gain a following for his storytelling.
5. Liev Schreiber- Over the last few years, he has narrated a number of documentaries such as American Experience, Secrets of the Dead, and Countdown. He has also worked with networks like HBO, History Channel, PBS, and National Geographic. Comparing his voice-over career to his acting career, he said that holding the narrative of a documentary is a bigger responsibility. “The narrator becomes an instrument for the writer and it becomes their job to understand and articulate the idea”.
6. Peter Coyote- Coyote has narrated many documentaries, audiobooks, films, and theater works. He is best known for narrating various Ken Burns documentaries like The West (1996), The Vietnam War (2017), The U.S. and the Holocaust (2022), etc. He has also won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Narrator for his work in The Roosevelts: An Intimate History in 2015.
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