10 Celebrities You Didn't Know Starred in Saturday Morning Cartoons

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Before the era of 24/7 cartoon programming on cable networks, Saturday mornings were a cherished time for kids, offering a chance to kick off their day with beloved animated characters such as Optimus Prime from Transformers, Rainbow Brite, and Gary Coleman from Different Strokes. This nostalgia is rooted in a rich history of celebrities lending their voices to animated shows, some of which have faded from memory.

10
‘Mary-Kate and Ashley in Action!’ (2001–2002)

Created by Robin Riordan

Mary-Kate and Ashley talk on a couch in Mary-Kate and Ashley in Action! — Image via DIC Entertainment

In a world threatened by villains, the most resourceful secret agents, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, embark on comedic adventures in Mary-Kate and Ashley in Action! The show features the twins undertaking various missions with their robot dog, Quincy ( Brendan Beiser ), emphasizing cleverness over brute force. Despite their popularity in merchandise, the series only lasted one season, totaling 26 episodes.

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Mary-Kate and Ashley in Action!

Release Date: October 20, 2001
Network: ABC

Cast

Ashley Olsen
Ashley / Special Agent Amber (voice)
Mary-Kate Olsen
Mary-Kate / Special Agent Misty (voice)
Terry Chen
Rodney Choy (voice)
Michael Dobson
Clive Hedgemorton-Smythe (voice)

9
‘Little Rosey’ (1990)

Created by Roseanne Barr

Rosey stands in a superhero outfit with her friends in Little Rosey. — Image via ABC

Kids of the late 80s and early 90s adored Roseanne Barr, leading to her own cartoon, Little Rosey. The episodes showcased Rosey using her imagination to explore the world with friends, adapting Barr’s humor for younger audiences. Despite its charm, the show struggled to connect with viewers, resulting in only 13 episodes, followed by a special featuring the characters.

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Little Rosey

Release Date: September 8, 1990
Network: ABC

Cast

Noam Zylberman
Uncredited
Tabitha St. Germain

8
‘The Gary Coleman Show’ (1982)

Based on The Kid with the Broken Halo by George Kirgo

Gary Coleman in animated form wears an angel outfit in The Gary Coleman Show. — Image via NBC

One of Hanna-Barbera’s lesser-known cartoons, The Gary Coleman Show featured Gary Coleman as the angel Andy LeBeau, who helped children in need to earn his wings. His antics were often complicated by a troublesome demon named Hornswoggle ( Sidney Miller ), and the show lasted only 13 episodes.

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The Gary Coleman Show

Release Date: September 18, 1982
Network: NBC

Cast

Gary Coleman
Andy LeBeau (voice)
Jennifer Darling
Angelica (voice)

7
‘Chuck Norris Karate Kommandos’ (1986)

Created by Chuck Norris

Chuck Norris wades through the water in the animated series Chuck Norris Karate Kommandos. — Image via Ruby-Spears Enterprises

Action star Chuck Norris took his martial arts prowess to the small screen in Chuck Norris: Karate Kommandos, where he and his team battled the evil VULTURE organization. The series featured Norris discussing themes of self-control and violence, although it only produced five episodes.

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Chuck Norris: Karate Kommandos

Release Date: 1986 – 1985
Network: Syndication

Cast

Chuck Norris
Chuck Norris (voice)
Kathy Garver
Pepper (voice)

6
‘Hammerman’ (1991–1992)

Created by MC Hammer

MC Hammer as cartoon Hammerman. — Image via ABC

Rapper MC Hammer starred in his own animated series, Hammerman, where he transformed into a superhero with the help of magical shoes. The show, while not a classic, offered a unique visual style, although it felt rushed in production.

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Hammerman

Release Date: 1991 – 1991
Network: ABC

Cast

MC Hammer
Hammerman/Stanley Burrell (voice)
Clark Johnson
Uncredited

5
‘Bruno the Kid’ (1996–1997)

Created by Joel Madison

Bruce Willis voices Bruno in the animated series Bruno the Kid. — Image via Film Roman

In Bruno the Kid, Bruce Willis voices a young boy who uses a computer-generated adult version of himself to operate as a spy. Despite its innovative animation, the show didn’t gain much traction, and its 36 episodes went largely unnoticed.

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Bruno the Kid

Release Date: 1996 – 1996
Network: Syndication

Cast

Bruce Willis
Bruno the Kid (voice)
Mark Hamill
Harris

4
‘ProStars’ (1991)

Created by Andy Heyward and Douglas Booth

ProStars Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, and Bo Jackson as cartoons. — Image via NBC

In ProStars, sports legends Michael Jordan, Bo Jackson, and Wayne Gretzky team up to combat crime while helping children. Although they did not voice their characters, their presence added a unique charm to the series, which encapsulates the kitschy fun of the 90s.

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ProStars

Release Date: 1991 – 1990
Network: NBC

Cast

Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Bo Jackson
Bo Jackson (voice)

3
‘Life with Louie’ (1994–1998)

Created by Louie Anderson

Louie watching TV in the swimming pool in Life with Louie. — Image via Fox Kids

Stand-up comedian Louie Anderson starred in Life with Louie, a series inspired by his childhood. It followed a young Louie navigating family dynamics and childhood challenges in Cedar Knoll, Wisconsin, with relatable themes and humor that resonated with both kids and adults.

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Life with Louie

Release Date: 1994 – 1997
Network: FOX, Fox Kids

Cast

Louie Anderson
Louie (voice)
Nick Bakay
Andy (voice)

2
‘Camp Candy’ (1989–1992)

Created by Joel Andryc, Ellen Levy-Sarnoff and John Candy

John Candy stands with the rest of his campers in the animated series Camp Candy. — Image via NBC

Comedian John Candy starred in Camp Candy, serving as a camp counselor to a group of kids while dealing with the antagonist Rex DeForest III ( Lewis Arquette ). The show effectively blended Candy’s humor with valuable life lessons.

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Camp Candy

Release Date: 1989 – 1991
Network: NBC

Cast

John Candy
Uncredited
George Coe
Robin

1
‘Wish Kid’ (1991)

Created by Andy Heyward

Macaulay Culkin makes a wish with his magic baseball glove in the animated series Wish Kid. — Image via NBC

In the animated series Wish Kid, Macaulay Culkin voices a young boy whose magic baseball glove grants him wishes. However, these wishes often lead to unforeseen complications, making for entertaining episodes. Despite its connection to Culkin’s stardom, the show only ran for 13 episodes.