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The A-List cast of Captain Planet
The (star) power is yours!
Captain Planet and the Planeteers is a great show with an even greater message, but creators Ted Turner and Barbara Pyle wanted to make sure that message was heard by everyone. To increase the star power, Ted Turner used his connections in Hollywood to encourage A-list celebrities to join the show that raised awareness about environmental and social justice. The hope was that celebrities playing characters would interest people in giving the show a try, and it worked.
The stars flocked to the show, many voicing one-off guest star roles and a few committing to be series regulars. Let's take a look at the stars who lent their voices to Captain Planet!
Rita Moreno - Ella Salvator
EGOT legend Rita Moreno guest-starred in one episode of Captain Planet as Ella Salvator, a philanthropist who wants to create an eco-railway to help reduce smog. She's kidnapped by Dr. Blight but then saved by Captain Planet and the Planeteers in the episode "The Disoriented Express".
Dionne Warwick - Dr. Russell
In the episode "Sea No Evil", Dionne Warwick played Dr. Russell, a misguided dolphin facility owner who realizes that the dolphins she thinks she's saving are being controlled by Hoggish Greedly.
Whoopi Goldberg - Gaia
Before she was on The View, Whoopi Goldberg was the voice of Mother Nature, aka Gaia for seasons 1 through 3.
LeVar Burton - Kwame
Before Star Trek and Reading Rainbow, LeVar Burton voiced the Planeteer Kwame for 113 episodes! He also is the voice of the opening narrator.
Vanna White - Laurie Saunders
Vanna White was also a guest star on Captain Planet as Laurie Saunders, a beauty queen whose makeup company is testing on animals. When Saunders discovers Dr. Blight is testing on animals, she fires her.
Neil Patrick Harris - Todd Andrews
In the episode "A Formula for Hate", Neil Patrick Harris guest stars as Todd Andrews, a high school basketball player who has HIV. This episode premiered in 1992, when the AIDS epidemic was not well understood and focused on the ostracization of those who tested postitive for HIV.
Elizabeth Taylor - Mrs. Andrews
Costarring in the same episode as Neil Patrick Harris, Elizabeth Taylor played Todd Andrews' mother, Mrs. Andrews. An angry mob destroys her vegetable stand!
Phil Hartman - Dimitri
In the episode "Mind Virus", Phil Hartman plays Linka's Uncle Dimitri. His son, Boris, becomes addicted to the drug, Bliss, which has been created by eco-villain Verminous Skumm.
Jeff Goldblum - Verminous Skumm
Jeff Goldblum appears in five episodes as eco-villain Verminous Skumm, a rat-human mutant who wants to take over the Earth by using fear and hatred.
Martin Sheen - Sly Sludge
Martin Sheen guest starred in 12 episodes as Sly Sludge, an eco-villain whose waste management "solutions" usually cause more pollution. He eventually reforms his ways and becomes an avid recycler.
Tim Curry - MAL
Tim Curry played MAL, a type of Artificial Intelligence who assists Dr. Blight in her crimes. The role was originally played by David Rappaport, who passed away after recording the first four episodes. After Tim Curry took over, he voiced MAL for 27 episodes.
Meg Ryan - Dr. Blight
Rom-com queen Meg Ryan played Dr. Blight, an evil scientist and one of the worst eco-villains. Meg Ryan voiced Dr. Blight in season one and then the role was given to voice acting legend Mary Kay Bergman.
