Cast
§ Bob Hoskins plays the role of Edward
"Eddie" Valiant; this would go on to become one of his most notable
roles.
§ Bob Hoskins as Edward
"Eddie" Valiant, an alcoholic private investigator who holds a grudge
against Toons. Producer Steven Spielberg's first choice for Eddie Valiant was
Harrison Ford, but Ford's price was too high. Bill Murray was also considered
for the role; however, due to his method of receiving offers for roles he
missed out.
§ Charles Fleischer provides the voice
of Roger Rabbit, an A-list Toon working for Maroon Cartoons. Roger is framed
for the murder of Marvin Acme, and requests Eddie's help in proving his
innocence. To facilitate Hoskins' performance, Fleischer dressed in a Roger
bunny suit and "stood in" behind camera for most scenes. Animation
director Richard Williams explained Roger Rabbit was a combination of "Tex
Avery's cashew nut-shaped head, the swatch of red hair...like Droopy's, Goofy's
overalls, Porky Pig's bow tie, Mickey Mouse's gloves and Bugs Bunny like cheeks
and ears." Fleischer also provides the voices of Benny the Cab and two
members of Doom's Weasel Gang, Psycho and Greasy. Lou Hirsch, who supplied the
voice for Baby Herman, was the original choice for Benny the Cab, but was replaced
by Fleischer.
§ Christopher Lloyd as Judge Doom, the
extremely cold-hearted and power-hungry judge of Toontown District Superior
Court. Lloyd was cast because he previously worked with Zemeckis and Amblin
Entertainment in Back to the Future. Lloyd compared his part as Doom to his
previous role as the Klingon commander Kruge in Star Trek III: The Search for
Spock, both being overly evil characters which he considered being "fun to
play". Lloyd avoided blinking his eyes while on camera in order to perfectly
portray the character.
§ Kathleen Turner provides the
uncredited voice of Jessica Rabbit, Roger Rabbit's stunningly beautiful and
flirtatious Toon wife. She loves Roger because, as she says, "he makes me
laugh." Amy Irving supplied the singing voice, while Betsy Brantley served
as the stand-in.
§ Joanna Cassidy as Dolores, Eddie's
on-off girlfriend who works as a waitress.
§ Alan Tilvern as R. K. Maroon, the
short-tempered and manipulative owner of "Maroon Cartoon" studios.
This was Tilvern's final theatrical performance.
§ Stubby Kaye as Marvin Acme,
prankster-like owner of the Acme Corporation.
§ Lou Hirsch provides the voice of Baby
Herman, Roger's middle-aged, foul-mouthed, cigar-chomping co-star in Maroon
Cartoons. Williams said Baby Herman was a mixture of "Elmer Fudd and
Tweety crashed together". April Winchell provides the voice of Mrs. Herman
and the "baby noises".
§ David Lander provides the voice of
Smart Ass, the leader of the weasels.
§ Richard LeParmentier has a small role
as Lt. Santino. Joel Silver makes a cameo appearance as Raoul, a director
frustrated with Roger Rabbit's antics. Frank Sinatra performed
"Witchcraft" for the animated Singing Sword. In addition to David
Lander as Smart Ass and Charles Fleischer as Greasy and Psycho, Fred Newman
voiced Stupid and June Foray voiced Wheezy. Foray also voiced Lena Hyena, a hag
Toon woman who resembles Jessica Rabbit and provides a comical role which shows
her falling for Eddie and pursuing him. Mel Blanc voiced Bugs Bunny, Daffy
Duck, Tweety Bird, Porky Pig and Sylvester (Who Framed Roger Rabbit was one of
the final productions in which Blanc voiced these characters before his death
in 1989). Animation director Richard Williams voiced Droopy. Joe Alaskey voiced
Yosemite Sam and Foghorn Leghorn. Wayne Allwine voiced Mickey Mouse.
