Summary
In recent years, it is fair to say that voice acting in video games is finally getting the recognition it deserves. Indeed, the beautifully rendered open worlds and tightly designed combat systems of modern video games would feel somewhat barren and sparse if not for the dynamic performances of voice actors breathing life into player characters and NPCs alike.
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In line with this newfound celebration of video game voice actors, award ceremonies such asThe Game Awardsand the BAFTA Game Awards include categories designed to honor those voice actors behind some of gaming’s most beloved characters. However, it seems that skill and consistency do not always translate into voice actors having statuettes bestowed upon them, as many talented and acclaimed video game voice actors have yet to take home a prestigious award for their work.
10Faye Kingslee
Australian actor Faye Kingslee has many strings to her box, appearing in the 2011 blockbuster movieIn Timeand DC’sLegends of Tomorrowseries. Regarding video games, Kingslee has lent her voice to landmark franchises such asFar CryandDevil May Cry.
Also voicing protagonist Faith in the DICE-developed sequel gameMirror’s Edge: Catalyst, Kingslee was nominated for a BTVA award, although this did not materialize into a win. Still, with appearances in AAA games likeFar Cry 6andDevil May Cry 5, Kingslee may wellhave her timesooner rather than later.
9Jon St. John
Starting his career in voice work as a radio personality and DJ, voice actor Jon St. John transferred relatively seamlessly into the world of video game voiceover, having had a consistent presence since 1996. His roles include various characters in theTwisted MetalandHalf-Lifefranchises,as well as the affable Big the Catin numerousSonicgames.
Despite his backlog of roles, it is St. John’s portrayal of the brazen Duke Nukem from the eponymous game series. The actor has taken on the role throughout theDuke Nukemfranchise, including every mainline entry and the character’s guest appearances. However, as popular as Duke Nukem is with gamers, he has not managed to quip his way to an award ceremony as yet.
8Sean Chiplock
Whilst Square Enix’s 2020 live service gameMarvel’s Avengersfell short of its intended impact, Earth’s mightiest heroes were voiced spectacularly by a laundry list of prolific voice actors. The Spider-Man ofMarvel’s Avengerswas playfully voiced by Sean Chiplock who, at only 33 years old, has amassed an impressive list of credits.
Despite his extensive credentials, Chiplock has never received a nomination for his voice work in video games. This is surprising considering his appearances in massive franchises such asThe Legend of Zelda,The Last of Us, andMortal Kombat, as well as the character Yuki Mishima fromAtlus' critically acclaimed JRPGPersona 5.
7Khary Payton
Any fans of AMC’sThe Walking Deadtelevision series will recognize actor Khary Payton as the charismatic leader and tiger-tamer Ezekiel. Whilst well-received in this live-action role, Peyton has had an extensive and successful career in voice acting, particularly in video games.
Payton has lent his voice to a plethora of franchises but has appeared frequentlyin DC properties, voicing Cyborg and Doomsday in theInjusticeseries as well as vigilante Azrael and mutated criminal Killer Croc in theBatman Arkhamseries.
6Melissanthi Mahut
Canadian/Greek actor Melissanthi Mahut is perhaps best known for her live-action roles in Netflix’sThe Sandmanseries and action blockbusterMeg 2: The Trench. Her video game resume, whilst relatively short, is by no means unimpressive, as Mahut is the voice ofAssassin’s Creed Odysseyprotagonist Kassandra.
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So positive was the response to Mahut’s performance as the Ancient Greek assassin, that she has reprised the role in three other projects, as well as appeared in another Ubisoft propertyImmortals Fenyx Risingas Athena. Mahut was also nominated for her performance inAssassin’s Creed Odysseyat both the Game Awards and the BAFTA Game Awards, although she lost out on these occasions.
5Graham McTavish
Ser Harrold Westerling in HBO’sHouse of the Dragonand Dwalin in Peter Jackson’sThe Hobbittrilogy are just some of Scottish actor Graham McTavish’s live-action credits. However, McTavish has also voiced video game characters, having frequently appeared in voice roles since 2006.
McTavish provided voice and motion capture performances for megalomaniacal villain Zoran Lazarevic inUncharted 2: Among Thievesand wise-cracking Charlie Cutter in its sequelUncharted 3: Drake’s Deception. Not working exclusively for developer Naughty Dog, the actor has also appeared in entries from theCall of DutyandInfamousfranchises.
4Yuri Lowenthal
Considering Yuri Lowenthal has been nominated for his performances 36 times throughout his career, it is quite something that he has never been honored with one for his video game voice work. Lowenthal’s credits span 20 years, with the actor appearing across numerous franchises.
The actor has provided the voice of the friendly, neighborhood Spider-Man and his alter ego Peter Parker in various incarnations, perhaps most famously in theMarvel’s Spider-Manfranchise from Insomniac Games. Lowenthal also voicedthe eponymous princein Ubisoft’sThe Prince of Persiafranchise in three entries.
3William Salyers
Mass Effect,Call of Duty, andFalloutare just some of the franchises that actor William Salyers' voice can be heard in. Hailing from Oklahoma, USA, Salyers has found extensive success in the world of voice acting and has compiled a long list of credits.
His performance as Dr. Otto Octavius (and later the villainous Doctor Octopus) in Insomniac Games’Marvel’s Spider-Manwas met with critical acclaim, even earning Salyers a nomination for Best Supporting Performance In A Drama at the NAVGTR Awards.
2David Hayter
At a cursory glance, David Hayter seems to be well into Hollywood, serving as a screenwriter for the 2000 action superhero movieX-Men, its sequelX2, andWatchmen. However, one may be surprised to learn that Hayter not only has a prolific career in voice acting but is the voice behind one of the most iconic video game characters to ever grace gamers' screens: Solid Snake.
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First voicingthe grizzled special forces soldierin 1998’sMetal Gear Solid, Hayter has gone on to portray Snake no less than 12 more times across the years. As impactful as the character has been in the sphere of video games, Hayter has only been nominated once, for his performance in the third mainline entry in theMetal Gear Solidfranchise.
1Jen Taylor
It would not be an understatement to say that Jen Taylor’s impact on gaming and popular culture has been quite spectacular, predominantly due to one specific role of hers: Cortana. First debuting the character in 2001’sHalo: Combat Evolved, Taylor’s performance captivated gamers. Subsequently, the actor has voiced Cortana across theHalofranchise.
Indeed, her performancesas the A.Ihave spilled over into other mediums and even reality, with Taylor reprising her role of Cortana in the 2022 Paramount streaming series based onHaloas well as voicing Microsoft’s virtual assistant of the same name. As if voicing one of the most recognizable video game characters was not enough, Taylor also boasts many other credits, including being the voice of Princess Peach inMariofranchise games between 1999 and 2006.
