Linda Hunt

by: Nartana Nólë

on June 30, 2025 in Voice Over Industry

Early Life and Stage Beginnings

Born Lydia Susanna Hunt on April 2, 1945, in Morristown, New Jersey and raised in Westport, Connecticut, Linda Hunt grew up facing the challenges of hypopituitary dwarfism, a condition she was correctly diagnosed with as a teenager. Standing at 4’9″, her distinctive presence would become a workhorse asset in film, theatre, television—and most notably—in voice‑over.

Hunt’s early love for theatre led her to Interlochen Arts Academy and the Goodman School of Drama at the Art Institute of Chicago. She spent years honing her craft in regional theatre and eventually Off‑Broadway, earning Obie awards for performances in Top Girls and Bertolt Brecht’s Mother Courage and Her Children. In 1984, she earned a Tony nomination for her role in Arthur Kopit’s End of the World.

Breakthrough and On‑Screen Achievements

Hunt made her film debut as Mrs. Oxheart in the 1980 Robert Altman musical Popeye. Two years later, she achieved historic acclaim as Billy Kwan in Peter Weir’s The Year of Living Dangerously (1982), becoming the first actor to win an Academy Award for portraying a character of the opposite sex. The role required a dramatic transformation—short hair, shaved eyebrows, padding, and prosthetics—yet her performance remains powerful and unforgettable.

After her Oscar win, she delivered strong supporting work in films such as David Lynch’s Dune (1984) as Shadout Mapes, the saloon mistress in Lawrence Kasdan’s Silverado (1985), the pointed principal Miss Schlowski opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in Kindergarten Cop (1990), and the assassin Ilsa Grunt in If Looks Could Kill (1991). Her filmography also includes roles in Eleni (1985), Waiting for the Moon (1987), She‑Devil (1989), Twenty Bucks (1993), and Altman’s ensemble Prêt‑à‑Porter (1994).

Voice‑Over Career: A Resonant Baritone

Linda Hunt’s unique, gravel‑rich voice opened doors to a second career that would span decades and mediums. Her unexpected baritone found a home in animation, documentaries, commercials, video games, theme parks—virtually everywhere her voice could deliver gravitas.

Animation and Feature Narration

In 1995, Hunt lent her voice to Disney’s animated feature Pocahontas, voicing Grandmother Willow—a wise, spiritual tree guiding Pocahontas through her journey. She reprised the role in the direct‑to‑video sequel Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World (1998). Her voice graced theme park shows such as Disneyland’s “Fantasmic!” and the Disney interactive title Disney’s Animated Storybook: Pocahontas.

Documentaries, Specials, and Commercial Work

Hunt became a sought‑after narrator for documentary films and environmental specials, lending her voice to PBS’s American Experience, Auschwitz: The Nazis & the Final Solution (2006), California’s Lost Tribes (2006), Nature‘s “Christmas in Yellowstone” (2006), National Geographic specials like Island of the Sharks, and historical narratives such as Woodrow Wilson (2002). She also narrated commercials—FedEx, Lexus, Tylenol—bringing gravitas to each script.

Iconic Video Game Narration

One of her most iconic voice roles is the narrator in the God of War video game series (2005–), embodying Ancient Greek mythology with solemn authority. She also voiced Gaia in God of War II (2007) and maintained continuing presence in titles like the remastered or extended entries.

The Crooked Eye (2009)

In 2009, Linda Hunt narrated the award‑winning short film The Crooked Eye, directed by D.C. Douglas. In it, she voices “Sharon’s Narrator,” guiding the viewer through the internal landscape of a woman processing the end of a marriage. Adapted from Betty Malicoat’s short story, The Crooked Eye was lauded at festivals—including Best Animated Short at Red Rock Film Festival—where Hunt’s measured, layered delivery deepened the emotional weight of every image.

Television Success: From The Practice to NCIS: Los Angeles

Transitioning to television, Hunt played Judge Zoey Hiller across multiple seasons of The Practice (1997–2002), then appeared in series such as Without a Trace, Carnivàle (voice), and The Unit. In 2009, she took on the role of Operations Manager Henrietta “Hetty” Lange in CBS’s long‑running procedural NCIS: Los Angeles, becoming a fan favorite for her sharp wit, mentor figure presence, and surprising combat acumen. Hunt remained a steady fixture for twelve seasons, earning Teen Choice Awards in the process.

She also made guest appearances in shows like Scorpion reprising Hetty’s persona, and lent her voice in both special events and series spinoffs.

Recent Projects and Continuing Legacy

In 2018, Hunt returned to voice work in Solo: A Star Wars Story, delivering Lady Proxima’s commanding lines (filmed in 2017; released 2018). She continues to narrate history and environmental documentaries, preserving her status as a recognizable and meaningful voice in broadcast and streaming media.

Artistry and Vocal Signature

Linda Hunt’s voice work is defined by its grounded dignity. Her tone is patient, wise, and authoritative—the kind of voice heard in ancient temples or atop mountain peaks. When she narrates, she doesn’t simply tell you a story—she embodies its deepest emotions, pulling the listener into the heart of the narrative.

In The Crooked Eye, her narration belies a lifetime of emotional intelligence: pauses that speak, emphasis that clarifies, a hushed baritone that suggests.” Those who labored in Blizzard’s cinematic halls might recognize that restraint and weight—in fact, it’s why her voice would match the cadence of a World of Warcraft narrator, delivering lore with the gravity it deserves.

Conclusion

Linda Hunt stands as a singular force in entertainment—an Oscar‑winning actor, a commanding voice artist, and a presence that cuts through any medium. From her transformative work onscreen to the indelible timbre of her narration in documentaries, animated films, and video games, Hunt has shaped the art of voice‑over. Hers is the voice that brings mountains to life, that guides heroes on their journey, and that gives weight to every word… including yours.