Performer(s) Appeared in Like other animation studios, Rankin/Bass had several different versions of Santa Claus featured in the various Christmas specials that they produced. However, their most famous version of the character was the one originally seen in Santa Claus is Comin' to Town. Voiced by Mickey Rooney, this version of Santa is considered the definitive portrayal of the character in Rankin/Bass' Christmas specials and would reappear in a few more specials produced by the company, and even a sequel produced by Warner Bros. Animation. Rooney reprised the role in all of his appearances except for Rudolph's Shiny New Year, where he was instead voiced by Paul Frees (who had voiced the version of Santa seen in Frosty the Snowman).