TL;DR: Jim Cummings is the voice of your childhood (Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Darkwing Duck) and your kid’s current favorites (Hondo Ohnaka in Star Wars, Pete in Mickey Mouse). He’s the ultimate "bridge" actor who makes co-viewing actually tolerable—and sometimes even great.
Quick Links to the Essentials:
- The Comfort Watch: Winnie the Pooh
- The 90s Action Fix: Darkwing Duck
- The Modern Adventure: Star Wars: The Clone Wars
- The Preschool Staple: Mickey Mouse Funhouse
If you’ve spent more than five minutes watching Disney+ or browsing YouTube with your kids, you’ve heard Jim Cummings. You just might not know it.
He’s the guy who stepped into the iconic shoes of Sterling Holloway to voice Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, but he’s also the guy who voiced the terrifying Dr. Robotnik in the 90s and the lovable, jazz-singing firefly Ray in The Princess and the Frog.
For intentional parents, Jim Cummings is a bit of a cheat code. In a world of "brain rot" content and low-effort YouTube influencers, Cummings represents a standard of voice acting that actually respects the audience. Whether he’s playing a honey-obsessed bear or a space pirate, there’s a level of craft there that makes the media feel... well, better.
We talk a lot at Screenwise about "co-viewing." It’s that golden grail of digital parenting where you actually enjoy what your kid is watching instead of just scrolling on your phone in the same room.
Jim Cummings is the king of co-viewing.
When you sit down to watch The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh with your toddler, you aren't just enduring it; you’re reconnecting with your own 90s nostalgia. When your middle-schooler gets into Star Wars: Rebels, and you hear the gravelly, chaotic energy of Hondo Ohnaka, you’re hearing a master at work.
According to our community data, about 65% of parents with kids aged 3-7 report that "nostalgia-linked" shows are the easiest way to manage screen time boundaries because the parents actually want to participate. Jim Cummings is the glue in that data point.
Jim has over 600 credits. You can't watch them all (and honestly, some of those direct-to-video sequels from 2004 are better left in the vault). Here is the curated list of what’s actually worth your family’s time.
The Preschool & Little Kids Era (Ages 2-6)
At this age, it’s all about gentle pacing and emotional intelligence.
- Winnie the Pooh: Jim took over Pooh in 1988 and Tigger in 1989. He manages to keep that "gentle hug" vibe of the original characters while making them feel alive for a new generation. It’s the ultimate low-stimulation show.
- Mickey Mouse Funhouse: Jim voices Pete (Mickey’s long-time rival). In this modern iteration, Pete is less of a villain and more of a "grumpy neighbor" archetype. It’s safe, colorful, and Jim’s voice provides a nice bass note to Mickey’s high-pitched optimism.
- The Princess and the Frog: As Ray the firefly, Jim provides the heart of the movie. Warning: You will have to explain death to your four-year-old. But it’s handled beautifully.
Ask our chatbot for more low-stimulation show recommendations
The "I Want Adventure" Era (Ages 7-11)
This is where Jim’s range really shines. He can go from "silly" to "menacing" in a heartbeat.
- Darkwing Duck: This is the peak of 90s Disney afternoon vibes. It’s a parody of Batman and pulp heroes. It’s fast-paced, funny, and Jim’s performance as Drake Mallard is legendary. It holds up surprisingly well, though the "violence" is very slapstick.
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Jim plays Hondo Ohnaka, a pirate who is neither good nor bad—he’s just out for himself. It’s a great character for talking to kids about "shades of gray" in storytelling.
- A Goofy Movie: He plays Pete here, too. This is arguably one of the best "parent-child relationship" movies ever made. If you haven't watched this with your 9-year-old yet, put it on tonight.
The Gamer & Teen Era (Ages 12+)
Believe it or not, your older kids are probably hearing Jim in their headsets.
- Skyrim: He provides multiple voices in this massive RPG. If your teen is into fantasy, they’ve definitely talked to a Jim Cummings character.
- Fallout: He’s been a staple in the Fallout series for years (notably voicing The Master and Set).
- Hades: While not the lead, the influence of Jim's "theatrical grit" is all over modern indie voice acting.
Check out our guide on whether Skyrim is appropriate for your 12-year-old
Look, Jim is a pro, but he’s a working actor. That means he’s been in some stuff that is, frankly, just noise.
I’d suggest skipping the late-90s straight-to-VHS sequels like Belle's Magical World. They don't have the soul of the original films, and they often feel like the "brain rot" we’re trying to avoid—fast-moving, poorly written, and designed just to keep a kid quiet for 70 minutes. If you’re going to use screen time, use the good stuff.
Also, be aware that Jim voiced Scar in the singing parts of "Be Prepared" in The Lion King after Jeremy Irons blew his voice out. It’s a cool trivia fact, but that scene can be genuinely terrifying for kids under five.
Jim’s work spans G to M ratings.
- Preschool: Stick to Pooh and Mickey.
- Elementary: TaleSpin (where he plays Baloo) and Darkwing Duck.
- Middle School+: This is when you can get into his video game work or his more intense villain roles like Dr. Robotnik in the Sonic the Hedgehog (SatAM) series.
Jim Cummings is a great entry point for a conversation about Digital Literacy.
In 2026, we are seeing more and more AI-generated voices. Talking to your kids about a guy like Jim—who uses his actual lungs and vocal cords to create hundreds of distinct personalities—is a way to help them value human creativity over algorithmic output.
Try asking these questions during the credits:
- "Did you notice that the guy who plays the pirate in Star Wars also sounds like Winnie the Pooh? Why do you think he changed his voice like that?"
- "How does the voice change how you feel about the character? Would Pooh be as scary if he had a deep, gravelly voice?"
- "Do you think a computer could make a voice feel as 'warm' as Tigger's?"
Learn more about how to talk to your kids about AI and deepfakes
Jim Cummings isn't just a voice actor; he’s a cultural touchstone. For us parents, he’s a bridge back to the Saturday mornings of our youth. For our kids, he’s the voice of their current adventures.
By steering your kids toward the high-quality productions Jim is known for, you're opting out of the "junk food" media cycle and into something with a bit more substance. Plus, you get to hear Tigger say "TTFN," and honestly, we all need a little more of that in 2026.
- Audit your watchlist: Check if your kid's current favorite show features Jim. If it’s Mickey Mouse Funhouse, you’re in the clear.
- Curate a "Legendary Voices" night: Watch The Princess and the Frog and talk about how Ray the firefly makes the movie work.
- Explore more: Check out our guide on the best classic Disney shows for modern kids