Bob’s Burgers|(FOX via Getty Images)

After nine seasons, the characters on Bob’s Burgers all have distinct voices. To fans, the voices are as iconic as the characters themselves. Bob’s Burgers is centered around the Belcher family and their struggling burger restaurant. The show embraces a type of lighthearted and wacky humor as the family finds themselves in crazy antics to try and keep their restaurant in business.

While all of the characters have their shining moments in the show, one of the most notable characters is Linda Belcher. She goes against the archetype of the sitcom mom. Instead of nagging her family, she is usually the one getting her family into trouble. So who is the voice behind the eccentric character?

John Roberts is the voice of Linda Belcher

Yes, the voice of Linda is a man. John Roberts is an actor, YouTuber, and comedian. In addition to Bob’s Burgers, he has voiced characters in Archer, Gravity Falls, The Awesomes, and The Simpsons. Bob’s Burgers is not the first time Roberts has voiced a woman. He also played a woman in the YouTube series Jackie & Debra.

Fans new to the show would never know because Roberts bases the voice for Linda after his mother, Marge. Even though he is not able to speak in his normal voice, Roberts does not find the role to be challenging.

“It never really feels like work, because I can do it in my sleep,” said Roberts.

Tina Belcher is also voiced by a man

Cross-gender acting is popular in animation, and Bob’s Burgers has done it with multiple characters. In the main cast, Tina Belcher is played by Dan Mintz. Like Roberts, he has voiced characters in several TV shows including Adventure Time, The Awesomes, and Abby Hatcher, Fuzzly Catcher. Mintz has also acted in John’s Mulaney’s sitcom, Mulaney, Silicon Valley, and The Goldbergs.

Unlike Roberts, Mintz does not attempt to sound like a woman and it is obvious to most viewers that Tina is voiced by a man. Because Tina is only 13 years old on the show, Mintz voicing her adds an extra layer of comedy to the role.

Another example of cross-gender casting in Bob’s Burgers is Sarah Silverman voicing Ollie Pesto. Ollie is the Belcher’s neighbor and classmate of the Belcher’s youngest child, Louise. Silverman has appeared in over 30 episodes in the show and also voices Ms. Schnur.

Roberts will voice Linda in the ‘Bob’s Burgers’ movie

Bob’s Burgers: The Movie premieres July 17, 2020. Not much is known about the project, but the entire main cast will reprise their roles for the movie.

“We’re thrilled to be invited to bring Bob’s Burgers to the big screen,” said show creator Loren Bouchard. “We know the movie has to scratch every itch the fans of the show have ever had, but it also has to work for all the good people who’ve never seen the show. We also know it has to fill every inch of the screen with the colors and the sounds and the ever so slightly greasy texture of the world of Bob’s – but most of all it has to take our characters on an epic adventure. In other words, it has to be the best movie ever made. But no pressure, right?!”

Even though fans don’t know the plot yet, the creators of the show are determined to give them a satisfying movie. With such a dedicated creative team, fans can rest easy knowing their favorite characters are in good hands.