X-Men: All 5 Wolverine actors, ranked from worst to best

There have been plenty of performers to take on the X-Men's Wolverine over the years, but which of them is the best?
Hugh Jackman as Wolverine/Logan in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios' DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE. Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2024 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2024 MARVEL.
Hugh Jackman as Wolverine/Logan in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios' DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE. Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2024 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2024 MARVEL.
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X-MEN '97
(L-R): Wolverine (voiced by Cal Dodd) and Morph (voiced by JP Karliak) in Marvel Animation's X-MEN '97. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 MARVEL.

2. Cal Dodd

Appeared in: X-Men: The Animated Series, Marvel vs. Capcom, X-Men '97

If you asked a group of Marvel fans to pick their definitive adaptation of the X-Men, the top two answers would undoubtedly be the film series and X-Men: The Animated Series. The latter is arguably the greatest adaptation of the source material and there is a strong case to be made for its adaptation of Wolverine being the best, too.

This version of Logan is probably the most instantly recognizable iteration and a large part of that is down to the fact that he wears the iconic yellow and black suit (and perhaps also because of the viral Wolverine picture frame meme). It also has to do with Cal Dodd's incredible voice performance.

He's got such a wonderfully gruff, raspy voice and that suits Wolverine down to the ground. His performance is playful and confident, with just the right amount of arrogance in his tone on occasion to highlight how overconfident Logan can be when he wants to. He also nails the character's sarcasm down to the ground, with his jibes at Cyclops and Gambit (or, as he likes to say "Gumbo") being among the series' most memorable lines. And when it calls for it, Dodd also knows how to be loud, powerful, and angry - three things Wolverine is known for.

His return to the role in X-Men '97 came three decades after the original show and it became clear very quickly that he hadn't lost a step. In fact, you can hear how his voice has matured over the years which actually captures Wolverine's gruff, withered approach to life with ease. His Logan has been worn down by life but he will never stop fighting, and you hear that in every word.

If you read an X-Men comic, Cal Dodd's voice is probably who you hear in your head when reading Logan's lines. He is the voice of Wolverine and that won't be changing anytime soon, thanks to his triumphant return in X-Men '97.