INVADER ZIM Pilot: Billy West vs. Richard Horvitz Voice Acting Comparison

[@that1latinodude20]

Richard definitely fits the character better, like it's more natural, Billy does is great still

[@CandleCoveCast]

I honestly didn't know that Billy West was the original Zim before Richard got the role and did it better.

[@jackassmax]

Richard Horvitz definitely nailed the role, but Billy West really made that “I HAVE A STOMACH” line his own

[@fullonwave1116]

I love Richard Horvitz but Billy West kinda killed those line deliveries in the bean scene

[@frankmills6226]

This has the same energy as Tim Allen voicing animated Buzz in the VHS version of that movie so much better than Patrick Warburton that everyone thought his take was the original even though the animators said otherwise.

[@gewfy_blub]

I HAVE A STOMACH!!!!!

[@KuromiFan-ko4ee]

*weird camera sounds*

[@numbundy8078]

I doubt that

[@Bluebird-b3q]

"I HAVE A STOMACH!!!!" weird rizz but ok.

[@shanechannel7066]

As much as I love Billy West, I have to agree that Richard voice was a better match for Zim.

[@JimmyChanga94]

He just had that extra inflection to really bring it together

[@_yuhkami]

theyre both so cute

[@cutemimi25]

Richard Horvitz did it better. Billy West maybe Doug Funnie and Stimpy from Ren and Stimpy but Richard Horvitz will always be Zim "and Daggett from Angry Beavers"

[@OfKingsXI]

AND Rich is also Billy from Billy and Mandy

[@DespinaHatzisavas-b1x]

I think Billy west and Richard I think they sound a same in a way

[@Jvm181]

Honestly, they're a lot more similar than I thought when directly compared here. There's definitely a slightly different quality in Richard's take, particularly being better at the sort of pseudo-sweet quality, but they definitely sound like they're voicing the same character with the same inflections.

[@odin9628]

I think Billy was better during the pilot. Zim is kinda just a wierdo in the pilot, and the fact that he’s an invader is basically never mentioned outside of the opening. He's an alien, but he’s actually trying to blend in. And actually seems kinda mad that the people he tries talking to just walk away. Richard's Zim is crazy, and incompetent. Generally Richard's voice is better for the show, because Zim is characterized as being more crazy then Billy's.

[@savythenillerwaffer]

Took the words right out of my mouth! I like both voices for different reasons. Zim's characterization was slightly different from the pilot to series. It's almost like he was a slightly more competent invader, and a lot less screamy. I love both versions for different reasons 💖

[@SticksGazetteFan2005]

I kinda prefer richard horvitz and it kinda fits his character more in my opinion.

[@ketanreffell2720]

All Aboard

[@Angie2343]

The Crazy Train.

[@shanechannel7066]

*Here's a fun fact* This was just the pilot episode. Pilot episodes tend to have different VA's since they're basically a test run of the actual show. A good example is that Aang was originally voiced by Mitchell Musso in the AtLA pilot before the role was given to Zach Eisen. Nickelodeon was originally against Horvitz as the voice because he was already voicing Daggett on Angry Beavers. Luckily, Angry Beavers getting cancelled is what changed they're minds. So there's a chance we could've Billy West.

[@SnootracSpells96]

I wonder where did you get the version with Horvitz's lines

[@CosmicSponge2004]

It aired on Nicktoons in either 2006 or 2011 and has been on Nick's website since 2015

[@TimmyTurnerfan27]

Even though I like billy West but Richard horvitz did it better than him and Mark Hamill

[@retroinspect]

West is acting in a cartoon voice, Horvitz has a cartoon voice.

[@MissMuffinElf]

I love billy but he's just not raspy enough

[@Lynzerfart]

Why does Billy kinda sound like gir

[@OfficialKimIsNoob]

Billy west is my second fav VA, but Richard horvitz is the better zim in my opinion!

[@DespinaHatzisavas-b1x]

I love Billy west but Richard horvitz did it better if Billy west had that raspy voice he would have done better

[@sharynyramos911]

I think richard more...but billy more too..BOTH!

[@jaredcook4414]

Billy West’s voice was great, but it made Zim seem too…competent. Richard Horvitz had the unhinged quality that backed up his character