Voice Actors News

Matthew Lillard’s Voice Acting Frustration Reflects a Bigger Hollywood Casting Problem

Matthew Lillard featured in an editorial-style image representing the debate over celebrity casting and professional voice acting in animation.

Matthew Lillard has spent more than two decades tied to one of animation’s most recognizable characters. After first playing Shaggy Rogers in the live-action Scooby-Doo films, he eventually became the character’s primary voice actor across television series, movies, and specials. That history is one reason why his recent comments about Hollywood voice casting practices have […]

Filed Under: Animation, Movies

The Voice Actors of Mondstadt in Genshin Impact

February 6, 2026 by Ashley Bryant

When Genshin Impact launched in 2020, it quickly became one of the most successful free-to-play RPGs in the world. Developed by HoYoverse, the open-world action title blended exploration, elemental combat, and a gacha-based character system across PC, mobile, and PlayStation platforms. Its success reshaped the global perception of live-service anime-inspired games and influenced titles that […]

Spider-Man Voice Actor Alexis Ortega Dies at 38

January 28, 2026 by Austen Moret

Alexis Ortega, a voice actor known for his work on Spider-Man and projects connected to the Star Wars universe, has died at the age of 38. News of his passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans and colleagues, many of whom highlighted the warmth and energy he brought to his performances and to […]

Animation and Gaming Demos Have Become Central to Voice Acting Careers

January 27, 2026 by Virginia Welch

For most audiences, voice acting begins when a character speaks on screen. For performers, it begins much earlier, often with a demo that may never be heard outside a casting inbox. Animation and gaming demos sit at the center of that process, quietly shaping who gets auditions, who gets passed over, and who never enters […]

Master Chief Voice Actor Steve Downes Reflects on Halo, Creative Direction, and AI

January 26, 2026 by Austen Moret

For many players, the voice of Master Chief is inseparable from Halo itself. For more than two decades, Steve Downes has provided the calm, measured performance that helped define one of gaming’s most recognizable characters. Recently, Downes has spoken candidly about his experience voicing the Chief, touching on creative disagreements during Halo 5 and his […]

How Voice Actors Prepare for Studio-Specific Casting

January 24, 2026 by Austen Moret

Voice acting auditions are often described as universal, but casting does not work that way in practice. Studios listen for different qualities depending on their storytelling style, audience, and production culture. A performance that fits one studio perfectly may feel misplaced in another. For voice actors aiming to work consistently, preparation begins long before a […]

Troy Baker Urges Creatives to Rethink Their Approach to AI

January 14, 2026 by Ashley Bryant

Troy Baker has never been shy about weighing in on industry shifts, and his recent comments about artificial intelligence stand out in a conversation often dominated by fear and hard lines. As one of the most recognizable voices in modern video games, Baker’s perspective carries weight, not because he downplays concern, but because he approaches […]

Stardew Valley Gets a New Voice Through a Fan-Made Mod

January 12, 2026 by Austen Moret

Stardew Valley has always relied on text, timing, and imagination to bring its characters to life. For years, players have grown attached to the residents of Pelican Town through written dialogue alone, letting tone and personality fill in naturally. A new PC mod is now offering a very different way to experience that familiar world […]

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Moves Forward With Its Core Voice Cast Intact

January 10, 2026 by Debbie Grattan

The announcement of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 has brought renewed attention to one of the anime’s strongest assets: its voice cast. While new story arcs and escalating stakes naturally draw interest, the confirmation that the series will continue with its established performers is the detail many fans were waiting for. For a show driven by […]

A New Voice Steps Into LEGO Batman

January 8, 2026 by Lori Wild

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about LEGO titles in recent years, and much of that attention is centered on its voice cast. While LEGO games were once known for silent slapstick, modern entries rely heavily on dialogue, timing, and performance to sell both humor […]

The Audiobook Performances That Defined 2025

January 6, 2026 by Austen Moret

Audiobooks continued to grow in reach during 2025, but the titles that truly stood out did so for one central reason: narration. While compelling writing still matters, listeners increasingly pointed to voice performance as the deciding factor in whether a book became memorable or merely passable. Across fiction and nonfiction alike, certain audiobook performances shaped […]