What to Tell Your Kids About the R-Rated Pasts of Stars in Animated Movies

Russell Brand first came to prominence in America during a Video Music Awards hosting stint where he memorably mocked the G-rated purity of the Jonas Brothers, but this Friday, Brand will make his own foray into family-friendly entertainment when he voices a lovable, fluffy Easter Bunny in Hop. It’s only the latest example of a formerly foul-mouthed comedian or a celebrity with a long criminal record finding unexpected success as a voice-over artist for children’s films, but what happens when your kids get a little bit curious about who’s voicing their favorite cartoon characters? Vulture’s rounded up twelve celebrities with shady pasts who’ve successfully made the transition to animation, and to help you out, we’ve suggested what you might want to say when Jaden, Braden, and Caden ask why that funny cartoon monkey got arrested for doing drugs with hookers.


How to Explain His Transgressions to Your Child: "They raise bunnies differently in England."

How to Explain His Transgressions to Your Child: "Buzz spent two yea... His Past Includes: Over two years in prison for a 1978 drug-trafficking arrest
How to Explain His Transgressions to Your Child: "Buzz spent two years in a box when he was selling the other toys a little too much chocolate milk. Don't worry, though: He's been factory-reprogrammed."

How to Explain His Transgressions to Your Child: "Remember when daddy had to take the car in to get fixed... His Past Includes: A 2007 suicide attempt
How to Explain His Transgressions to Your Child: "Remember when daddy had to take the car in to get fixed? Well, one time, Lightning McQueen had to go into the shop for reasons he still hasn't divulged to the press. That happens."

How to Explain His Transgressions to Your Child: "His name is funny, but there are just some things Snoop Dogg has done that you're not allowed to do, okay? And that includes ending your words with -izzle."

How to Explain His Transgressions to Your Child: "Sometimes donkeys like dragons, and sometimes donkeys like other donkeys that are only dressed like dragons. It's very complicated to be a donkey."

How to Explain Her Transgressions to Your Child: "Sometimes, the animator forgets to draw clothes on Drew Barrymore."

How to Explain His Transgressions to Your Child: "A deer eats ants and doves all the time in the woods, and Ozzy was just researching. For decades."

How to Explain His Transgressions to Your Child: "Sweetheart, if you ever see this man, you run away, okay?"
How to Explain His Transgressions to Your ... His Past Includes: Sex and drug stories that involve Courtney Love and Owen Wilson in all the worst ways
How to Explain His Transgressions to Your Child: "Remember what mommy and daddy told you about how British people raise bunnies all weird? That goes double for dogs."
How to Explain His Transgressions to Your Child: "Wouldn't you rather know about Don Cheadle instead? He's terrific!"
How to E... His Past Includes: With partner Tommy Chong, he served as the face of stoner comedy in Cheech & Chong routines and movies like Up in Smoke
How to Explain His Transgressions to Your Child: "Basically, your older brother is grounded for doing what the hyena in The Lion King did."
... His Past Includes: Drunk-driving arrests, needlessly shirtless television appearances, calling Sarah Palin "great masturbation material" on live TV
How to Explain His Transgressions to Your Child: You're the one making your child watch G-Force. Shouldn't you be explaining yourself to us?