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

Deus Ex Voice Actor Speaks Out as Franchise Remains on Hold

January 5, 2026 by Virginia Welch

The Deus Ex series has long held a distinctive place in video game history. Known for its blend of cyberpunk aesthetics, political themes, and player choice, the franchise has maintained a devoted following even as new entries have failed to materialize. That absence has returned to the spotlight after recent comments from the voice actor […]

Ned Luke, Michael De Santa, and the Cost of Visibility in GTA’s Ongoing Spotlight

January 3, 2026 by Ashley Bryant

Ned Luke has spent more than a decade linked to one of gaming’s most recognizable characters. As the voice of Michael De Santa in Grand Theft Auto V, Luke became part of a cultural touchstone that continues to shape conversations around open-world games, satire, and long-running franchises. In recent weeks, that attention has resurfaced in […]

How Voice Actors Get Noticed by Casting Directors Today

December 29, 2025 by Austen Moret

For many voice actors, the question of how casting directors discover new talent feels tied to auditions alone. In practice, most casting awareness begins well before an audition request is sent. Voices become familiar through context, timing, and repeated presence within the industry rather than through a single submission. Understanding how that recognition forms has […]

The Voices Bringing The Scarecrows’ Wedding to Life

December 26, 2025 by Virginia Welch

The Scarecrows’ Wedding arrives on television as a familiar story brought to life in a new way. Based on the popular children’s book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, the animated adaptation relies heavily on voice performance to translate the warmth and humor of the original illustrations to the screen. With simple visuals and a […]

The Voices Behind Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

December 23, 2025 by Austen Moret

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has been part of holiday television for generations. First airing in 1964, the stop-motion special continues to draw viewers year after year, often becoming a shared experience between parents and children. While the characters are instantly familiar, the voices behind them are far less well known to the general public. Yet […]

Who Gets to Speak for America? Gender and Representation in Political Voiceovers

December 22, 2025 by Ashley Bryant

Political advertising relies heavily on narration to guide voters through emotion, context, and persuasion. Because most political ads avoid showing narrators on screen, the voiceover becomes the face of the message, shaping how viewers interpret the candidate or issue. Yet despite the importance of narration, research shows a clear imbalance in who gets selected to […]

Beatrice Picard, The Simpsons Voice Actress, Dies at 96

December 15, 2025 by Ashley Bryant

Beatrice Picard, a veteran actress whose voice work became part of The Simpsons universe, has died at the age of 96. Her passing marks the loss of a performer whose career spanned decades and intersected with one of television’s most enduring animated series. While The Simpsons is often associated with its core cast, Picard’s contribution […]

Jim Ward, Prolific Voice Actor Across Animation and Gaming, Dies at 66

December 14, 2025 by Lori Wild

Jim Ward, a prolific voice actor whose work shaped some of the most recognizable animated and video game characters of the past three decades, has died at the age of 66. His passing was confirmed by multiple outlets, with reports noting that Ward had been living with advanced Alzheimer’s disease in recent years. News of […]

Jeff Garcia, Voice of Jimmy Neutron, Dies at 50

December 13, 2025 by Austen Moret

Jeff Garcia, the comedian and actor best known as the voice of Jimmy Neutron, has died at the age of 50. News of his passing spread quickly across entertainment media, prompting reactions from fans who grew up with his work and from industry figures who recognized his influence across comedy and animation. Garcia’s career spanned […]

Liam Neeson Addresses Vaccine Claims After Documentary Narration

December 12, 2025 by Virginia Welch

Liam Neeson is known worldwide for commanding screen performances and a narration voice that carries authority and calm. That engaging voice over style became part of an unexpected public debate after he narrated a recent documentary that critics and public health advocates quickly labeled as promoting anti-vaccine views. The controversy did not stem from an […]