ElevenLabs will use AI-generated voices of dead actors like Judy Garland and Burt Reynolds in its Reader app, after striking deals with the actors' estates
This is an early move to turn voice likenesses into licensable media assets rather than treating synthetic speech solely as a production tool. It follows experimentation with AI dubbing that preserved performers’ vocal characteristics across languages, as in AI-assisted foreign-language versions using original actors’ voices.
Later coverage shows the model broadening from individual estate arrangements to additional celebrity-estate partnerships and, eventually, a dedicated marketplace for licensed iconic voices. That progression makes the Reader integration a meaningful test of whether rights-cleared synthetic voices can become a consumer product category.
First-order effects
ElevenLabs can offer Reader users AI recreations of Judy Garland’s and Burt Reynolds’ voices under estate-approved terms, differentiating the app’s narration catalog.
The participating estates gain a new channel to monetize and manage use of the actors’ vocal likenesses in AI-generated audio.
Second-order effects
Other estates and rights holders have a clearer commercial precedent for licensing vocal likenesses, while AI voice vendors face greater pressure to secure permissions rather than rely on technically feasible imitation.
Reader rivals and audiobook platforms may need to compete on distinctive licensed narration, not just synthetic-voice quality or library size.
Third-order effects
If estate licensing becomes repeatable, celebrity voice rights could develop into a more formal content-rights market, with marketplaces and standardized deal structures replacing one-off negotiations.
The model may sharpen the divide between consent-based voice products and unlicensed imitation, increasing the importance of provenance and rights management for AI audio services.
The trend: AI voice companies are evolving from model providers into rights-cleared media distributors built around licensed identities and catalogs.
Introducing ElevenLabs Iconic Voices. Listen to your favorite books and articles voiced by Judy Garland, James Dean, Burt Reynolds and Sir Laurence Olivier on our Reader App. The app is completely free to download and use. Get it here: https://elevenlabs.io/... [video]
One week later, we're officially bringing famous voices to the ElevenLabs iOS app! Starting with Hollywood icons like James Dean, Judy Garland, Burt Reynolds, and Sir Laurence Olivier. Check out it below! 🚀 [video]
And in terms of how we're providing these voices, we're thrilled to partner with their estates to make the voices of these legendary stars available to you!  More details on our blog: https://elevenlabs.io/...
We're thrilled to partner with their estates to make the voices of these legendary stars available to you as we advance our mission of making content accessible in any language and voice. Read the full announcement here: https://elevenlabs.io/...
In what world am I expected to believe that Liza Minnelli said the sentence, “Through the spectacular new technology offered by ElevenLabs, our family believes that this will bring new fans to Mama”
Does anyone have the Deathnote? I would like to list elevenlabs in it please. Even for money, I don't understand how you can be that much of a vulture. Beyond revolting. [image]