How one actor became the secret voice behind your favorite childhood animated heroes

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Phil LaMarr is a prolific performer whose voice has defined iconic characters across decades of animation and gaming. From the stoic Green Lantern to the title role in Samurai Jack, his career spans from early sketch comedy to becoming a cornerstone of modern voice acting in major entertainment franchises.

Born in Los Angeles in 1967, Phil LaMarr discovered his passion for performance during middle school theater. His professional journey began early; even before attending Yale University, where he studied English, he secured a role on the animated series Mister T. LaMarr later gained significant recognition as an original cast member on the sketch comedy show Mad TV, where he spent five seasons until 2000. Unlike many of his peers on the show, he brought substantial prior film and television experience to the production.

LaMarr's transition into voice acting became a defining career path. He has voiced legendary figures including John Stewart in the DC Animated Universe and the titular warrior in Samurai Jack. His versatility is evident in his extensive credits, which range from Hermes Conrad in Futurama to Kit Fisto in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Beyond television, he has contributed to numerous high-profile video game franchises, including Metal Gear, Final Fantasy, and Mortal Kombat, often voicing multiple distinct characters within the same series.

His work extends into diverse mediums, including stage productions like The Pee-wee Herman Show and various audio projects. LaMarr has also engaged in creative development, such as co-creating the Goblins Animated project, which successfully completed a Kickstarter campaign in late 2017. Whether through live-action film appearances like his role in Pulp Fiction or his vast array of vocal performances, LaMarr remains a fixture of contemporary pop culture, consistently lending his range to both heroic and comedic roles.

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