HAL 9000, the computer in "2001: A Space Odyssey", is voiced by which actor?

HAL 9000, the computer in "2001: A Space Odyssey", is voiced by the actor, Douglas Rain. HAL 9000 is a fictional character and the main antagonist in the 1968 epic science fiction film that was produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick. The fascinating big screenplay resulting in this film was written by the two men, Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke.

HAL (Heuristically programmed ALgorithmic computer) is a sentient computer that controls the systems of the Discovery One spacecraft. It must interact and help the ship's astronaut crew. HAL, actually being a computer, is mostly depicted as a camera lens containing a red or yellow dot. Many lenses are accordingly located throughout the ship allowing HAL to function at a maximum level of proficiency.

In the Space Odyssey series, HAL 9000 is voiced by Douglas Rain in two feature film adaptations. HAL speaks in a soft, calm, and astute voice. It has a conversational manner that is often in sharp contrast to crewmen, Dr. David Bowman (Keir Dullea) and Dr. Frank Poole (Gary Lockwood). HAL's nice persona however will not last for long when his logic is completely gone. HAL 9000 will become a non-human villain.

The tone of the film is cool, contemplative, dispassionate, and provides conditions which are more conducive to thinking than feeling. This is what truly makes HAL such a critical and compelling element in the entire drama.