Pixar's 2007 masterpiece Ratatouille relies heavily on a precise vocal blend of stand-up comedians, veteran stage actors, and Pixar internal talent. Directed by Brad Bird, the film follows Remy, a rat with an exceptional palate, who forms an unlikely alliance with a clumsy garbage boy named Alfredo Linguini inside a high-end Parisian kitchen.
Finding the right voices for characters that bridge the gap between high culinary arts and slapstick animal comedy required an unconventional casting approach. Instead of leaning solely on mainstream box-office draws, the production paired legendary dramatic actors with sharp comedic timing.
The Central Duo: Remy and Alfredo Linguini
Patton Oswalt as Remy
Stand-up comedian and actor Patton Oswalt voices Remy, infusing the ambitious rodent with earnest passion, frustration, and articulate charm. Brad Bird cast Oswalt after hearing a comedy routine about food, realizing Oswalt possessed the exact voice-to-personality match needed for a rat who treats gastronomy like fine art. Oswalt doesn't rely on squeaks or cartoon tricks; instead, he delivers his lines with a grounded, human intensity that makes Remy completely believable.
Lou Romano as Alfredo Linguini
Pixar artist and animator Lou Romano voices Alfredo Linguini, the awkward, spaghetti-limbed kitchen novice. Romano brought an organic vulnerability to Linguini that professional voice actors sometimes struggle to capture. Because Romano wasn't a traditional actor at the time, his line deliveries retained an authentic, nervous hesitation that fits Linguini's chronic insecurity under pressure.
The Kitchen Leadership: Skinner, Colette, and Gusteau
Ian Holm as Chef Skinner
Renowned classical stage and screen actor Ian Holm voices the diminutive, power-hungry antagonist Chef Skinner. Holm captures Skinner's escalating paranoia and corporate greed with sharp comedic timing and dramatic flair. His delivery transforms a standard animated villain into a genuinely frantic, hilarious character whose physical stature contrasts sharply with his massive ego.
Janeane Garofalo as Colette Tatou
Comedian and actress Janeane Garofalo voices Colette Tatou, the lone female chef in Gusteau's kitchen who has to work twice as hard to maintain her position. Garofalo gives Colette a tough, no-nonsense exterior masking a deep dedication to culinary craft. Her speech to Linguini about the rigorous standards of the kitchen stands out as one of the film's sharpest vocal performances.
Brad Garrett as Auguste Gusteau
Towering actor and comedian Brad Garrett voices the larger-than-life phantom chef Auguste Gusteau. Garrett imbues the iconic philosophy anyone can cook with a warm, paternal resonance. As Remy's internal guide, Gusteau's voice serves as the moral compass and comforting anchor of the movie.
The Critics and Family: Ego, Django, and Emile
Peter O'Toole as Anton Ego
Legendary stage and screen icon Peter O'Toole voices the fearsome, skeletal food critic Anton Ego. O'Toole brings theatrical majesty and biting sarcasm to the role, delivering lines like a Shakespearean actor reciting a death sentence. His vocal transformation from a terrifying culinary tyrant to a humbled, nostalgic child tasting his mother's cooking anchors the emotional climax of the story.
Brian Dennehy as Django
Veteran dramatic actor Brian Dennehy voices Remy's pragmatic father, Django. Dennehy brings a grounded, protective gravity to the character, representing the cautious, risk-averse reality of rat survival that clashes with Remy's refined culinary dreams.
Peter Sohn as Emile
Pixar animator and director Peter Sohn voices Remy's carefree, food-obsessed brother Emile. Sohn's bouncy, cheerful delivery provides immediate comedic relief, highlighting the stark contrast between Remy's sophisticated palate and Emile's habit of eating anything that fits in his mouth.
Supporting Ensemble and Cameos
- Will Arnett voices Horst, the intimidating German-accented saucier with a mysterious criminal past.
- John Ratzenberger maintains his Pixar good-luck streak by voicing Mustafa, the fussy front-of-house head waiter.
- James Remar voices Larousse, the rugged line cook with an eye patch.
- Brad Bird pulls double duty behind the microphone, voicing both the impatient French waiter and Ambrister Minion, the lawyer for Ego.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Thomas Keller have a voice role in Ratatouille?
Yes, renowned chef Thomas Keller, owner of The French Laundry, voiced a diner at the end of the film who reviews Gusteau's restaurant. He also served as a consultant, teaching the Pixar crew how professional kitchens operate.
Why was Patton Oswalt chosen to voice Remy?
Director Brad Bird heard Oswalt's stand-up comedy album, specifically a bit about food and restaurants, and realized Oswalt possessed the exact vocal energy, cadence, and passion required for an articulate, food-obsessed rat.
How did the voice actors record their lines?
Unlike many animated films where voice actors record in complete isolation, several cast members occasionally worked together or spent intensive studio sessions interacting directly with the directors to nail the natural comedic banter and kitchen chaos.
