Which Magic School Bus Characters Are Voiced By Celebrity Actors?

On the subject of which characters got the celebrity treatment, the big, unmistakable names are easy to spot and mean a lot to fans across generations. In the original 'The Magic School Bus' TV series (the 1994–1997 version), Ms. Valerie Frizzle was voiced by Lily Tomlin — that casting choice alone gave the show a charismatic, theatrical anchor. Tomlin’s delivery made Ms. Frizzle feel equal parts eccentric science teacher and showwoman, and that helped the character stick in the memory of kids who grew up watching the show. Another name that many viewers will recognize from 90s kid-TV is Danny Tamberelli, who voiced Arnold Perlstein. Tamberelli was already familiar to young audiences from other Nickelodeon work, and his voice lent Arnold a grounded, slightly neurotic charm.

When Netflix revived the franchise as 'The Magic School Bus Rides Again', they leaned into the idea of celebrity casting as a bridge between old fans and new ones. Kate McKinnon — a major face from sketch comedy and films — took on the role of the new Miss Frizzle, bringing a zany, contemporary comedic energy that’s distinct from Tomlin’s original portrayal. Lily Tomlin didn’t disappear; she returned to the reboot as Professor Frizzle, which felt like a respectful passing-of-the-torch moment for the franchise. That behind-the-scenes continuity delighted lots of longtime fans because it honored the original while updating the show’s comedic sensibility.

Beyond those marquee names, the show mostly relied on experienced voice actors and young performers who weren’t necessarily “celebrity” in the mainstream sense but who delivered memorable character work. In other words, the two most prominent celebrity voice presences you’ll notice are Lily Tomlin and Kate McKinnon (with Danny Tamberelli being the notable TV kid-actor among the student cast). For me, hearing those voices — Tomlin’s warm theatricality and McKinnon’s elastic comedic instincts — is part of what keeps revisiting both versions of the show so much fun.

Quick list style, since I like to break things down: the standout celebrity voices connected to 'The Magic School Bus' are definitely Lily Tomlin and Kate McKinnon. Lily Tomlin voiced Ms. Valerie Frizzle in the original series and later returned to the reboot as Professor Frizzle, which felt like a neat handoff. Kate McKinnon voices the new Miss Frizzle in 'The Magic School Bus Rides Again', bringing her distinctive comedic flair to the role.

Another recognizable name from the original cast is Danny Tamberelli, who provided the voice for Arnold Perlstein — he was a familiar face (and voice) to kids who watched Nickelodeon in the 90s. Outside those names, the series mainly showcases skilled voice actors and younger performers rather than big-name celebrities, but those three are the ones that stand out to most fans. Personally, I love how the celebrity casting choices helped tie the two series together while giving each its own vibe.