If “The Godfather†had been a radio show instead of a movie, you would have had no trouble at all imagining Vito Corleone. Of course, the voice over world isn’t filled to the brim with Marlon Brandos, but you know what I mean. The voice actor has to have a voice with enough personality to suggest the character’s type.
If you’re dealing with an archetypal-character, you are going to need a voice actor who can play a strong—maybe even an exaggerated—voice. The voice alone has got to say “weaselly little crook†or “no-neck henchman.†Think Marlon Brando…