The unseen architect behind the voices of your childhood favorites
In short: From the mechanical warriors of Transformers to the magical halls of The Magic School Bus, one woman has shaped the auditory landscape of modern animation. Susan Blu is not just a voice actress; she is a master director who orchestrates the very soul of character performance.
Susan Blu, often known as Sue Blu, occupies a pivotal dual role in the entertainment industry as both a performer and a high-level creative lead. While many fans recognize her specific voices—such as Arcee in The Transformers franchise or various characters in My Little Pony—her influence extends far beyond her own vocal output. She has served as a primary voice director for major production houses like the Ocean Group, where she oversaw the complex vocal requirements for series such as Beast Wars and its sequel, Beast Machines.
Her technical expertise is evidenced by her work on some of the most iconic animated properties in history. Blu acted as the dialogue director for both the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles TV series and the 2003 iteration, ensuring that the distinct personalities of these characters resonated with audiences. Her directorial reach also encompasses Handy Manny, where she balanced her leadership role by guest-starring as Marion, and The Magic School Bus, where she served as both a voice director and an actor.
Beyond direction, Blu's career is marked by a prolific diversity of roles across decades of media. She has provided voices for everything from the 1980s series Jem to more contemporary titles like OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes. Her resume includes notable appearances in live-action projects like Knight Rider and Three's Company, as well as voice work for Ghostbusters and BraveStarr. This versatility allows her to navigate the nuances of character construction, a skill essential for directing other actors.
In 2013, Blu married Tania Themmen, following the passing of her domestic partner, actress Cynthia Songé, in 2010. Her career trajectory reflects a deep commitment to the craft of voice acting as a directorial discipline. By managing everything from casting and dialogue direction to performance coaching, she ensures that every character—whether a robot, a magical creature, or a human child—possesses a coherent and compelling identity.
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