20 Voice Actors Who Brought Video Game Characters To Life

Remember that one game character whose voice gave you chills? That’s the magic of talented voice actors at work. They spend countless hours perfecting every laugh, cry, and battle cry until it feels absolutely real. These performers create the souls of characters we’ll never forget. Let’s find them together!

Charles Martinet

Gaming’s most beloved plumber found his voice at a 1992 trade show, where Martinet performed in a TV screen costume while improvising Mario’s voice. His iconic “Yahoo!” and enthusiastic delivery became legendary, leading him to voice Mario, Luigi, Wario, and Waluigi.

Jennifer Hale

Stellar performances across “Mass Effect’s” trilogy earned Hale recognition as gaming’s prolific voice actor. Her powerful portrayal transformed Commander Shepard into the famous “FemShep,” breaking gender barriers and inspiring players to choose female Shepard specifically for Hale’s commanding presence.

Troy Baker

Late-night gaming sessions turned into a voice-acting dream for this Texas-born performer. Beyond Joel in “The Last of Us,” Baker became gaming’s go-to hero by voicing Batman in the “Telltale Series,” Booker DeWitt in “Bioshock Infinite,” and Sam Drake in “Uncharted 4.” What an incredible range!

Nolan North

Comedy and improv expertise are what shaped North’s memorable take on Nathan Drake in “Uncharted.” Spontaneous one-liners during recording sessions literally became fan-favorite moments, while hands-on motion capture stunts brought authentic movement to gaming’s highly charming treasure hunter.

Laura Bailey

In 2012, newcomers to the gaming industry saw Bailey’s rise as “Persona 4’s” Rise Kujikawa. Her remarkable talent shone through in roles like “Gears 5’s” Kait Diaz, “Spider-Man’s” Black Cat, and “World of Warcraft’s” Jaina Proudmoore. This was all before she tackled “The Last of Us Part II’s” complex Abby.

Steve Downes

Generations of “Halo” fans will find an iconic figure only because of Downes’s sparse delivery style, which was a fitting representation of super-soldier stoicism. Downes landed Master Chief’s role in 1999, bringing quiet strength to the hero in six main games.  “Wake me when you need me” is his unforgettable line.

Tara Strong

Saturday morning cartoons prepared Strong for some of gaming’s wildest roles. Starting with “Jak and Daxter’s” Keira, she went on to conquer virtual worlds by voicing “Final Fantasy X’s” Rikku, “Batman’s” Harley Quinn, and “Metal Gear’s” Paz. Countless games have embraced her contagious laugh ever since!

David Hayter

Hollywood screenwriting paid the bills until Hayter’s audition changed gaming forever. “Metal Gear Solid’s” Solid Snake needed an edge—and his accidental gruff voice nailed it. Through four main games, Hayter’s performance brought to life one of stealth gaming’s most iconic heroes.

Ashley Johnson

It all changed in 2013 when Johnson’s portrayal of Ellie captivated “The Last of Us” players. Be it emotional scenes in the Pittsburgh hotel or singing moments by the campfire, her performance earned multiple BAFTA awards and continued through 2020’s “Part II” as an older, hardened survivor.

Mark Hamill

Single-episode roles can leave a lasting impact, as Hamill found out when he voiced the Joker in “Batman: The Animated Series.” His creepy laughs and wild energy were so iconic that his take on the character influenced Batman games and media for years to come.

Courtnee Draper

Disney Channel fame couldn’t prepare anyone for “Bioshock Infinite’s” performance! Through “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” hymns and reality-bending scenes, Draper’s Elizabeth captivated players in 2013. She traded TV soap stardom for gaming immortality with a single brilliant role.

Roger Craig Smith

Sega took a bold risk in 2010 when Smith reimagined Sonic’s attitude for a new generation. Through “Sonic Colors,” “Generations,” and “Forces,” his energetic delivery modernized the hedgehog’s personality while keeping “Gotta go fast!” authentic. Smith also secretly voiced Ezio in the “Assassin’s Creed” trilogy.

Ellen McLain

“Portal’s” development team in 2007 discovered gold when McLain experimented with GLaDOS’s personality. Her opera background transformed robotic lines into musical menace. Through “Portal 2” and “Half-Life: Alyx,” McLain also voiced the Overwatch announcer and Death Match administrator. She became Valve’s signature voice.

Ashly Burch

Here, recording sessions balanced intense physical action with quiet determination, bringing life to an outcast warrior whose curiosity about ancient mysteries captivated players worldwide. His extensive gaming industry experience played a key role in shaping the nuanced portrayal of “Horizon Zero Dawn’s” Aloy.

Christopher Judge

Judge’s work as an actor in “Stargate” equipped him to reimagine Kratos as a multifaceted father figure in “God of War.” The strong emotional moments between Kratos and Atreus came to life during their journey, with each “Boy” carrying more weight thanks to the physical actions Judge infused into the voice recording process.

Michael Ironside

Behind closed doors at Ubisoft studios, Ironside channeled his military family history into Sam Fisher’s voice for “Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell.” The method of acting during the recording brought genuine tension to covert operations, making every whispered line feel like real special operative communication.

Claudia Black

“Uncharted 2’s” treasure hunter Chloe Frazer undoubtedly sprang to life through Black’s performance. Her role expanded into “Lost Legacy,” where she led her own adventure, while additional work in “Dragon Age” and “Mass Effect” displayed to viewers her superb range across gaming’s biggest franchises.

Keith David

“Saints Row” fans first experienced David’s commanding presence as gang leader Julius Little. His career soared further when “Halo 2” cast him as Arbiter. Obviously, this led him to receive acclaimed roles in “Mass Effect,” “Spawn” games, and “Call of Duty’s” gritty war stories.

Jennifer Taylor

Critics praised this beloved actor’s subtle evolution of Cortana throughout the “Halo” series. Starting as a tactical AI in “Combat Evolved,” her character grew increasingly human in six mainline games. In the end, it culminated in “Halo 4’s” emotional story of loyalty and sacrifice.

Steve Blum

If you’re a “Call of Duty Zombies” player, you would recognize Blum instantly as Tank Dempsey’s voice. His diverse portfolio is made up of “Mortal Kombat’s” Sub-Zero and his cold fury, as well as “Marvel” titles showcasing Wolverine’s rage. Also, not forgetting Spike Spiegel’s cool charm in various “Cowboy Bebop” games.