You know that feeling when a character is just too perfect? That was Hans. On the surface, he was everything a Disney prince should be: charming, sideburns on point, and he could actually finish Anna's sandwiches. But then that massive twist happened, and we all realized we’d been played.
Santino Fontana is the man behind the voice. Honestly, if you don't recognize the name immediately, you've definitely seen his face or heard his voice in a dozen other things. He's a Broadway titan who managed to make a cartoon villain feel human, even when he was being a total jerk.
But the story of who plays Hans in Frozen isn't just about one guy in a recording booth. It’s a weirdly deep rabbit hole that involves Tony Awards, a very strange audition song choice, and a rotating door of actors who took the character to the Broadway stage.
The Voice Behind the Villain: Santino Fontana
When Disney was casting Frozen, they weren't looking for a traditional "bad guy" voice. They needed a chameleon. They found that in Santino Fontana.
Before he was Prince Hans, Fontana was already a big deal in the New York theater scene. He’s got this incredible range—one minute he’s a romantic lead, the next he’s a comedic genius. Most people forget that while he was recording for Frozen, he was also starring as Prince Topher in Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella on Broadway. He was literally playing the "real" Prince Charming at night and a "fake" one during the day.
Fontana has mentioned in interviews that he only spent about five days total recording his lines over a two-year period. One of those days was nothing but "effort sounds"—you know, the grunts, the heavy breathing, and the random noises characters make when they’re moving around. It’s wild to think that such a small amount of work created a character that still gets kids (and parents) fired up a decade later.
That Weird Audition Story
Ever wonder how you land a role like this? You’d think he sang something classic Disney, right? Nope. Fontana actually sang "I Feel Pretty" from West Side Story for his audition.
He told the casting directors that since the character was supposed to be super confident and great with women, a song about feeling beautiful felt like the right level of "delusional charm." It worked. It showed them he could handle the subversion of the "perfect prince" trope that the movie eventually pulls off.
Taking Hans to Broadway
When Disney decided to turn Frozen into a massive Broadway musical, they couldn't just use Fontana. He was busy winning Tony Awards for other shows (specifically for Tootsie, where he played a man playing a woman—talk about range).
So, who plays Hans in Frozen when it's live on stage?
- John Riddle: He was the one who originated the role when the show opened in Denver and then moved to Broadway in 2018. Riddle brought a slightly different energy—more of a traditional "musical theater" power.
- Joe Carroll: He eventually took over the role from Riddle during the Broadway run.
- Ryan McCartan: Many Gen Z fans know him from Disney Channel's Liv and Maddie. He stepped into the boots of Prince Hans later in the Broadway run and even took the show on the road for the national tour.
- Preston Perez: More recently, Perez has been the face of Hans for fans catching the North American tour.
Each of these actors had to find a way to make the audience love them for 90 minutes, only to make them absolutely hate them in the final act. It’s a tough gig. You have to be the most likable person on stage so the betrayal actually hurts.
The "Once Upon a Time" Version
We can't talk about who plays Hans without mentioning the live-action version. If you were a fan of the ABC show Once Upon a Time, you saw a very different take on the character.
Tyler Jacob Moore played the live-action Prince Hans in the show's fourth season. Unlike the movie, where Hans is subtle and manipulative, the TV version was a bit more of a straightforward jerk. He showed up with his twelve brothers (who we finally got to see) and tried to take over Arendelle with way less charm and way more "I'm the bad guy" energy.
Why the Performance Works (and Why It Ranks)
The reason we’re still asking about who plays Hans in Frozen is because the performance was a masterclass in "The Long Con."
Usually, Disney villains are obvious. Ursula is a literal sea witch. Scar looks like he hasn't slept in a decade and hates everyone. But Hans? He’s nice. He’s helpful. Santino Fontana played him with such genuine warmth that the audience fell for him just as hard as Anna did.
Key Roles Santino Fontana is Known For:
- Tootsie (Broadway): Won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.
- Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (TV): Played Greg Serrano, the sarcastic, complicated love interest.
- Cinderella (Broadway): The "actual" Prince Charming role that got him his first Tony nod.
- Sisters (Film): Acted alongside Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.
Beyond the Southern Isles
If you’re looking to follow the "Hans" actors today, you’ve got plenty of options. Santino Fontana is still a massive fixture in the New York theater world and often does concert series. Ryan McCartan has a huge social media presence and continues to release his own music.
The character of Hans might be stuck cleaning up horse manure (as seen in the Frozen Fever short), but the actors who played him have gone on to be some of the biggest names in the industry.
If you're planning a Frozen marathon or heading to see a local production, keep an ear out for those subtle shifts in the voice. The best "Hans" actors are the ones who make you forget they're the villain until the very last second.
Next Steps for Frozen Fans:
- Check out the Original Broadway Cast Recording to hear John Riddle's version of "Love Is an Open Door."
- Watch Santino Fontana's performance in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend to see a completely different side of his vocal talent.
- If you're a theater nerd, look up Fontana’s Tony acceptance speech for Tootsie—it’s a great look at the person behind the prince.