Dante Basco is an American actor and voice actor known for his extensive work in animation, particularly for his portrayal of complex characters in series that have garnered a strong following among anime and western animation fans. Born on August 29, 1975, in Pittsburg, California, he began his acting career in the late 1980s and gained prominence with his live-action role as Rufio in the 1991 film Hook. This early success laid the foundation for a diverse career that spans film, television, and voice acting.

Basco's voice acting career is highlighted by several iconic roles. He is perhaps best known for voicing Prince Zuko in the critically acclaimed animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender, a role he played from 2005 to 2008. His performance as the banished Fire Nation prince on a quest for redemption is widely celebrated and considered a landmark in animated storytelling. He later reprised his connection to the Avatar universe by voicing General Iroh II in the sequel series The Legend of Korra. During the same period, he also voiced the titular character in the Disney series American Dragon: Jake Long from 2005 to 2007.

In addition to these signature roles, Basco has built an extensive filmography in animation and video games. His television voice work includes roles such as Quoc Wong in The Proud Family, Jingmei in The Boondocks, Tuck in Generator Rex, Scorpion in Ultimate Spider-Man, and Jai Kell in Star Wars Rebels. He has also lent his voice to various video games, including the Avatar: The Last Airbender game adaptations, the Skate series, Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood, and Mortal Kombat X.

In 2021, Basco voiced the character Aiden in the animated film Monster Hunter: Legends of the Guild. This Netflix production is based on Capcom's Monster Hunter video game franchise. Aiden is an amateur monster hunter who embarks on a quest to save his village from a powerful Elder Dragon. Reviewers noted that Basco brought a "hotheaded charm" to the role, reminiscent of his fan-favorite character Zuko. This role is a key example of his continued engagement with animated projects that appeal to fans of anime and video game adaptations.

Beyond his acting, Basco has also contributed to the industry as a director and producer. He made his directorial debut with the 2021 feature film The Fabulous Filipino Brothers. He also co-founded the Da Poetry Lounge, a spoken-word poetry venue in Hollywood, in 1998. In 2021, he began hosting the official Nickelodeon companion podcast for Avatar: The Last Airbender, titled Avatar: Braving the Elements, alongside Janet Varney, the voice of Korra. He also authored a memoir, From Rufio to Zuko, about his experiences in the entertainment industry. His ongoing connection to the Avatar franchise continues with his involvement in the 2026 animated film, Aang: The Last Airbender.