Tobias Lelle is a German actor and voice actor born on June 15, 1955, who has built an extensive career in German-language dubbing, particularly recognized for his work in anime and animated series. He began his artistic path early, standing in front of a microphone for radio play productions at the age of five. Lelle pursued formal training, completing his acting education at the Mozarteum in Salzburg in 1979, followed by a stage engagement at the National Theatre in Mannheim until 1983. Since 1986, he has been active as a voice actor, becoming a familiar presence in German dubbing.

Within the realm of anime, Lelle has lent his voice to a wide array of characters across numerous productions. In the Star Wars: Visions short Akakiri, he voiced the character Senshu. He is also the German voice of Spandam in the long-running series One Piece, a role he has reprised in various specials and films, including One Piece Episode of Merry and One Piece Film Gold. His work in the franchise also includes voicing the character Yosaku. Lelle provided the voice for Nils in the film Magical Sisters Yoyo & Nene and took on the role of Doktor Zero in Space Pirate Captain Herlock The Endless Odyssey.

His anime filmography, as documented in industry encyclopedias, is notably diverse. It includes roles in high-profile films such as The Boy and The Beast, where he voiced Tatara, and Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, as Kyle. He has also contributed to series like Ajin as Kita, BEASTARS as the Zeika Headmaster, and One Punch Man as Ground Dragon. Other credits span classic and contemporary titles, including Inuyasha, Fairy Tail, Lupin the Third, and Transformers: Armada, where he voiced Cyclonus.

Beyond anime, Lelle is a highly prolific voice actor with a career that encompasses a wide spectrum of live-action and animated projects. He is particularly well-known as the longstanding German dubbing voice for actor Steve Buscemi, a role that has seen him feature in numerous films and series. This includes Buscemi's performances in the Hotel Transsilvania film series as Wayne, The Boss Baby, and various other projects. His voice is also famously associated with the character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon from The Simpsons. Other prominent dubbing work includes voicing Yondu Udonta in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Guardians of the Galaxy films, Slinky Dog in Toy Story 3, and Thaddäus Tentakel in the SpongeBob Schwammkopf 3D film. In addition to his voice work, Lelle has also appeared as an on-screen actor in German television productions, including episodes of Tatort and Derrick.