Who voices Doc Hudson, the retired champion in Pixar's 2006 film Cars?
Answer
Paul Newman
Paul Newman voices Doc Hudson, the retired champion in Pixar's 2006 film Cars.
Doc Hudson is the town doctor and judge in Radiator Springs, but he is also revealed to be the Fabulous Hudson Hornet, a celebrated racer from an earlier era. His racing career ended after a crash and an unsuccessful return to competition.
Paul Newman was a major American actor and an accomplished race-car driver. That background made his casting especially fitting for a character whose identity combines Hollywood history with motorsport. Newman recorded Doc's dialogue for the first Cars film.
Doc becomes Lightning McQueen's mentor, teaching him control, patience, and respect for racing craft. Newman died in 2008, so Doc Hudson does not have a speaking role in Cars 2. The character remains important to Lightning's story through memories and legacy.