The voice behind Hans in Frozen is American stage and screen actor Santino Fontana. Released by Disney in 2013, the animated musical features Fontana as the charming royal who pivots into the primary antagonist. Bringing a distinct Broadway pedigree to the recording booth, Fontana balanced a theatrical vocal style with the nuanced demands of a hidden-villain arc.
Who Is Santino Fontana?
Born in March 1982 in Stockton, California, Fontana built his career primarily in theater before stepping into animation. He graduated from the University of Minnesota's Guthrie Theater Actor Training Program. Following his training, he moved to New York City, where he quickly established himself on regional stages and Broadway.
Before and during his involvement with Frozen, Fontana starred in major stage productions. He earned critical acclaim for playing Prince Topher in the Broadway revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, a role he performed concurrently with his voice work for Disney. His theater credits also include Sunday in the Park with George, Billy Elliot the Musical, and Hello, Dolly! Later, he won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in Tootsie.
The Audition and Casting Process
Landing the role of Prince Hans required a unique audition process. Disney casting directors searched for an actor who could project supreme confidence, deliver crisp comedic timing, and handle a demanding musical score.
For his audition, Fontana sang "I Feel Pretty" from West Side Story. To match the psychological profile of Hans, he altered the lyrics to sound intensely boastful and self-absorbed. Directors recognized the precise blend of arrogance and charm they needed for the character. Frozen marked Fontana's first feature film and his first voice-acting role.
Musical Contributions: "Love Is an Open Door"
In the film, Fontana performs one of the most recognizable tracks alongside Kristen Bell (who voices Princess Anna): "Love Is an Open Door."
The duet plays a critical narrative trick. It establishes immediate romantic chemistry between Anna and Hans while masking his true intentions. Fontana utilized his classical training to hit clean, bright notes that matched Bell's comedic and energetic delivery. The song earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song, cementing its place in modern pop culture.
Career Impact and Later Projects
Voicing Hans opened doors to television and film. Following the release of Frozen, Fontana appeared in several live-action projects. He played Greg Serrano on the musical comedy series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend during its first two seasons and portrayed David Saperstein in the NBC drama series Shades of Blue alongside Jennifer Lopez.
Although Hans does not physically appear in Frozen II, a brief visual memory of the character surfaces during Elsa's journey into Ahtohallan. Fontana also reprised his vocal likeness for related media, including Disney video game crossovers and short-form anniversary projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Santino Fontana return for Frozen II?
No. While the character of Hans makes a brief visual cameo via magical projection in Frozen II, Fontana did not record new dialogue for the sequel.
Who provided the singing voice for Hans?
Santino Fontana provided both the speaking and singing voice for Prince Hans throughout the film, including his harmonies in "Love Is an Open Door."
What other Disney projects has Santino Fontana worked on?
Aside from the Frozen franchise, Fontana's primary Disney footprint remains the 2013 feature film, its short-film follow-up Frozen Fever, and archival or promotional appearances tied to the Walt Disney Company.
How old was Santino Fontana when he voiced Hans?
Fontana was born in 1982 and recorded his lines around 2011 and 2012, making him approximately 29 to 30 years old during production.
