Chloe Voice Actor and Casting Details
Chloe is a main character in the animated film The Secret Life of Pets, released in 2016 by Illumination Entertainment. The character is a fat orange tabby cat and is voiced by Lake Bell, an American actress known for roles in film and television. Lake Bell also serves as a writer and director, with credits including the series In a World...
The casting of Lake Bell as Chloe was confirmed by Illumination and reported by major entertainment outlets. The Secret Life of Pets features an ensemble cast that includes Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart, and Jenny Slate, with Lake Bell joining as the voice of the cynical, sarcastic cat Chloe.
Chloe Character Profile and Role in the Film
In The Secret Life of Pets, Chloe is portrayed as a laid-back, overweight cat who is part of the Manhattan pet group led by Max. Her dry humor and sarcastic remarks provide contrast to the more energetic personalities in the film. Chloe's character design emphasizes her orange fur and round physique, which visually reinforces her lazy, food-loving personality.
The character's dialogue and personality were shaped by Lake Bell's performance, with directors describing Chloe as a cynical but loyal member of the pet ensemble. Chloe's interactions with other pets, including Max, Duke, and Gidget, form key plot points in the film's story about what pets do when their owners leave for work.
Production Company and Franchise Context
The Secret Life of Pets was produced by Illumination, the animation studio founded by Chris Meledandri and owned by Universal Pictures. The film was directed by Chris Renaud and Yarrow Cheney, with a screenplay written by Brian Lynch, Cinco Paul, and Ken Daurio. Illumination is also known for the Despicable Me and Minions franchises.
The Secret Life of Pets franchise expanded with a sequel, The Secret Life of Pets 2, released in 2019, which retained Lake Bell as the voice of Chloe. The original film grossed over $875 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing animated films of its year. The franchise is part of Universal Pictures' broader strategy in family entertainment, competing with other major studios in the animated feature market.