Kenichi Ogata is a highly esteemed Japanese actor and voice actor, born on March 29, 1942, in the Tagawa District of Fukuoka Prefecture. He is affiliated with the talent agency Umikaze. Before pursuing a career in performance, Ogata studied cooking after junior high school. His interest in entertainment led him to aim for a career as a comedy performer during high school, and he subsequently worked with several theatrical companies. He made his voice acting debut in 1970 and has remained active in the industry ever since.

Ogata is renowned for his distinctive, soft vocal quality, which has allowed him to portray a wide array of characters. While he is beloved for his many comedic and grandfatherly roles, his range also extends to playing astringent and villainous characters, demonstrating a depth that has earned him a strong reputation in the industry. Fellow voice actress Megumi Hayashibara has referred to him as the "Father of the seiyū world," a testament to his seniority and influence.

His career is marked by an extensive list of iconic roles in some of Japan's most beloved anime series. Among his most famous and long-running parts is Professor Hiroshi Agasa in the long-running franchise Detective Conan (also known as Case Closed). He is also widely recognized as the voice of the panda-like Genma Saotome in Ranma ½, the flea demon Myōga in Inuyasha, and the Father in the comedy series Atashin'chi. Other significant roles include Kita Kita Oyaji in Mahōjin Guru Guru, King Dedede in Kirby: Right Back At Ya!, and Analyzer in the various Space Battleship Yamato productions.

Beyond these hallmark roles, Ogata's filmography is exceptionally deep, spanning decades and genres. He has voiced characters in numerous mecha anime, such as Leo Shishio in The King of Braves GaoGaiGar, General Bat in Getter Robo, and roles in Great Mazinger, Combattler V, and Grendizer. In the 2010s, he took on roles like Gran Torino in My Hero Academia, Santori in Radiant, and Beloukas in The Rising of the Shield Hero. His work in the 2020s continues to demonstrate his longevity, with parts in Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai as Brass, The Devil Is a Part-Timer!! as Camio, and a return to the role of narrator for the 2024 remake of Ranma ½. Notably, the Super Robot Wars series of video games is the work in which he has voiced the highest number of characters.

Throughout his long career, Ogata has been recognized for his contributions to the craft. In 2019, he was honored with a Merit Award at the 13th Seiyu Awards, celebrating his enduring achievements in voice acting.