Who Voices the Fabulous Crab Tamatoa in Disney’s Moana?

Moana is one of Disney’s most beloved animated films in recent years. Released in 2016, it tells the story of Moana, a brave and resourceful Polynesian princess who embarks on an epic ocean voyage to save her people.

One of the film’s most memorable characters is Tamatoa, the glamorous giant coconut crab who lives in Lalotai the realm of monsters. With his flashy shell over-the-top personality, and villain song “Shiny”, Tamatoa quickly became a fan favorite. But who is the talented voice behind this crustacean diva?

Introducing Jemaine Clement, the Kiwi Comedian Behind Tamatoa

The wonderful voice of Tamatoa belongs to Jemaine Clement, a New Zealand actor and comedian.

Clement was born in Masterton, New Zealand in 1974. He is of Māori, Irish, French, and English descent. As a child, Clement practiced improv comedy and even had a comedy duo with his brother called “Two Cents Worth”.

In his early 20s, Clement attended Victoria University of Wellington. There he met Bret McKenzie, with whom he would later form the musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords.

Flight of the Conchords – Clement’s Breakout Success

Flight of the Conchords was Clement’s breakout success. The folk comedy duo gained a cult following in the early 2000s with live shows featuring quirky songs like “Inner City Pressure” and “Robots”.

In 2005, Flight of the Conchords got their own radio sitcom on BBC Radio 2. This led to their popular HBO series Flight of the Conchords which ran for two seasons from 2007 to 2009.

Clement received widespread praise for his performance on the show. He was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 2009.

The show’s blend of deadpan comedy and catchy tunes firmly established Clement as a uniquely talented entertainer, setting the stage for bigger roles.

Scene-Stealing Voice Roles

In addition to live-action acting, Clement is an accomplished voice actor. He has voiced characters in hit animated films like Rio (2011), Rio 2 (2014), and The BFG (2016).

Clement’s most memorable voice role comes as the villainous coconut crab Tamatoa in Disney’s Moana. Directors John Musker and Ron Clements cast Clement after being impressed by his vocal range in Rio.

Clement drew inspiration from glam rockers like David Bowie to create Tamatoa’s flashy persona and Bowie-esque voice. He also ad-libbed much of Tamatoa’s dialogue, like the crab’s digs at Moana’s tacky leaf outfit.

Thanks to Clement’s improvisational skills and dynamic vocal performance, Tamatoa nearly steals the show in Moana. Songs like “Shiny” and scenes with Tamatoa are often considered the film’s most entertaining moments.

Why Clement Was Perfect to Voice Tamatoa

So what makes Jemaine Clement the perfect fit to voice the fabulous Tamatoa?

First, there’s his versatility. Clement transitions easily between accents and styles of speaking. He nails Tamatoa’s flamboyant character while still giving the crab a sinister edge.

Clement also has major musical talent. His singing and songwriting abilities were essential for bringing Tamatoa’s big musical number “Shiny” to life.

Furthermore, the comedian’s sharp improv skills allowed him to playfully experiment with Tamatoa’s dialogue. Many of the crab’s funniest lines were Clement’s own creation.

Finally, Clement simply has an iconic voice. His rich baritone gives Tamatoa a distinct sound that pops off the screen. Once you’ve heard Clement as Tamatoa, you won’t forget it.

What Critics are Saying About Clement’s Performance

Clement’s vocal work as Tamatoa received widespread acclaim:

• Peter Debruge of Variety wrote: “the pic’s secret weapon is a glammed-out crab called Tamatoa (voiced by Jemaine Clement), who delivers a show-stopping musical number called “Shiny” that kids will be singing for months to come.”

• Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly praised: “Clement, meanwhile, is clearly having a blast as Tamatoa, a bejeweled crustacean who could hold his own against any over-the-top drag queen.”

• Todd Gilchrist of The Wrap raved: “Clement generates real electricity voicing Tamatoa […] he captures the character’s flamboyance without losing the darker undertones in his performance.”

It’s clear that Clement’s voice acting talent brought Tamatoa to dazzling life and made the character unforgettable.

What’s Next for Jemaine Clement?

Since his success in Moana, Jemaine Clement has remained very busy.

• In 2022, he appeared in DC League of Super-Pets and Avatar: The Way of Water.

• Clement is currently working on Avatar 3 which is set for release in 2024.

• He is also developing an animated musical comedy feature titled We’re Wolves which he will write, direct, and star in.

• Fans of Flight of the Conchords were thrilled when Clement and McKenzie reunited for a UK tour in 2018. More reunion shows seem likely in the future.

With his hilarious wit, musical ability, and vocal range, Jemaine Clement continues to impress audiences. His portrayal of Tamatoa marked a career highlight and exemplified his skills as a comedic voice actor.

We can expect more memorable voice performances from Clement in the years to come. For now, we can enjoy Tamatoa’s antics in Moana and appreciate the New Zealand comedian’s talent in bringing this glamorous crab to life.

The voice actor for Tamatoa, the giant, shiny crab in Disney’s Moana, is Jemaine Clement.