When it comes to video games, there are a lot of memorable characters. Outside of their design or role within a game, what makes these characters memorable is their voice, and every one of these comes as a result of actors spending hours in a recording booth.
There are a lot of voice actors out there, but some are more prolific or memorable than others. Their voices resonate in our heads as part of the characters we come to love while playing, but who’s behind these voices and where else have they appeared?
Joel Miller (The Last of Us) – Troy Baker
Troy Baker might be one of the most well-known voices in video games. He’s not only the voice of Joel inThe Last of Usbut also Higgs Monaghan inDeath Stranding, John Jones inFortnite, The Joker inBatman: Arkham Origins, and the voice of Snow in multipleFinal Fantasytitles, includingFinal Fantasy XIII.
Harley Quinn (Arkham City) – Tara Strong
Tara Strong is a voice that’s iconic for multiple generations. To me, she’s Timmy fromFairly Odd Parents. To my daughter, she’s Princess Twilight Sparkle from theMy Little Ponyfranchise. In video games, Tara has played not only Harley Quinn in multiple titles, but you can also hear her voice inRage, and she’s the voice of Rikku inKingdom Hearts II.
Snake (Metal Gear Solid) – David Hayter
While David Hayter is perhaps most well known for his role as Snake in theMetal Gear Solidfranchise and outside of it in other titles, he’s also appeared as the Winter Soldier inMarvel Heroes, a Jedi Knight inStar Wars: The Old Republic, and has multiple voice roles in theGhost in the Shellgame, released in 1997.
Mario (Multiple) – Charles Martinet
I can’t in all good conscience write this list without including Charles Martinet. His voice simplyisMario to anyone who has ever played a single game of the franchise. However, Mario isn’t Charles’ only voice role in the world of video games. He’s appeared as Orvus inRatchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time, Vigoro inSkies of Arcadia, and, perhaps surprisingly, The Cat in the Hat in a few titles aimed at kids, such asDr. Seuss Toddler.
Asterion (Baldur’s Gate III) – Neil Newbon
IfTikTok is to be believed, Neil Newbon is the voice of everybody’s favorite Dom. However, before he was the voice of Asterion, Neil appeared in theResident Evilgames as Karl Heisenberg inResident Evil Villageand Nicholai inResident Evil Resistance. He also played two roles inDetroit: Become Human, Elijah Kamski and Gavin Reed.
Ezio Auditore (Assassin’s Creed IITrilogy) – Roger Craig Smith
Roger Crag Smith, I’m not ashamed to say, played a pivotal role in the formation of my love for gaming. I was, and remain to this day, obsessed withAssassin’s Creed IIand will always consider it the best of theAssassin’s Creedtitles. However, Roger Craig Smith has appeared in many more video games. He’s played Kale Vandelay and SEB-AAA inHi-Fi RUSH, Sonic the Hedgehog in multiple titles and Mirage in Apex Legends. Most recently, you might recognize his voice as Mission Control inHelldivers 2.
Tiny Tina (Borderlands) – Ashly Burch
Although most recognizable for her voice as Tiny Tina in theBorderlandsgames, Ashley Burch has played a lot of memorable characters in other titles. She’s the voice of Aloy inHorizon Zero Dawn, Nebula inGuardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series, Mel inThe Last of Us Part II, and also provided the voice of Chloe Price in bothLife is Strangegames.
Urianger (Final Fantasy XIV) – Timothy Watson
Aside from gracing the world with the purely Shakespearean presence that is Urianger Augurelt inFinal Fantasy XIV, Timothy Watson has also appeared inAssassin’s Creed Valhallaas King Burgred, has multiple voice roles inDragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age, and played Mumkhar inXenoblade Chronicles.
GLaDOS (Portal) – Ellen McClain
The voice of everybody’s favorite psychopathic robot from thePortalgames was provided by Ellen McClain, but it wasn’t the first time she provided an iconic robotic female voice in the world of video games. Ellen is also the voice behind the Combine Overwatch AI inHalf-Life2. She also appears inCyberpunk 2077as one of Delamain’s split personalities, though this one was modeled after GlaDOS.
Geralt of Rivia (The Witcher) – Doug Cockle
Doug Cockle is the voice of Geralt inThe Witchergame series as well as when Geralt appears in other titles likeSoul Caliber VI. He’s also appeared as Bhaal inBaldur’s Gate III, Robert Nightingale inAlan Wake II, and provides multiple additional voices inHorizon Zero Dawn. Outside of gaming, Doug also played the role of Father John Maloney in 2001’sBand of Brothers.
