Video Game Voice Actors Who Are A-List Celebrities

Over the last twenty years, movies and video games have become increasingly connected. We’ve seen famous actors move into gaming, starting with small appearances and now delivering full performances using motion capture technology in major games. Game developers often hire well-known actors to add a sense of quality and cinematic storytelling to their games. With improvements in gaming technology, the difference between watching a movie and playing a game is becoming less clear, drawing in more and more big names from the entertainment industry.

Keanu Reeves

Keanu Reeves played the character Johnny Silverhand in the 2020 video game ‘Cyberpunk 2077’. His involvement was a surprise reveal at E3 2019 and quickly became a popular moment for gaming fans. Reeves not only voiced the character but also used motion capture to bring him to life as a digital presence within the game. Developers expanded his role because of Reeves’s genuine interest in the game’s world. He returned as Johnny Silverhand in the 2023 expansion, ‘Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty’.

Idris Elba

Idris Elba plays Solomon Reed, a seasoned secret agent from the FIA, in ‘Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty.’ The game developers created the character with Elba’s appearance and persona in mind, portraying him as a battle-worn and experienced operative. His performance explores the difficult choices surrounding loyalty and responsibility in this spy-focused expansion. This is Elba’s biggest video game role to date, building on his previous work in other forms of entertainment. His involvement significantly boosted the expansion’s story, giving it the feel of a major movie production.

Mark Hamill

Mark Hamill is famous for bringing the Joker to life in the ‘Batman: Arkham’ video games, beginning with ‘Batman: Arkham Asylum’ in 2009. Though he’d voiced the Joker before in animated TV shows, the games let him create a much more menacing and realistic version of the character. His performances in ‘Batman: Arkham City’ and ‘Batman: Arkham Knight’ were highly praised for their emotional depth and power. Hamill’s strong interactions with the other actors helped make the ‘Batman: Arkham’ series a standard for great storytelling in video games, and he’s now considered one of the most talented and well-respected voice actors in the industry.

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson famously voiced the villainous Officer Frank Tenpenny in the 2004 video game ‘Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas’. Tenpenny is a corrupt cop who constantly challenges the main character, CJ, throughout the game’s story. Jackson’s performance made the character powerfully intimidating and helped highlight the game’s themes of widespread corruption. He’s become one of the most iconic villains in the entire ‘Grand Theft Auto’ series, and the role showed how well-known actors could create detailed, in-depth characters for open-world games.

Gary Oldman

Gary Oldman is well-known for his performance as Viktor Reznov in the ‘Call of Duty’ games ‘World at War’ and ‘Black Ops’. Reznov is a Russian soldier who acts as a guide and key figure in the games’ storylines. Around the same time, Oldman also voiced Lord Ignitus in ‘The Legend of Spyro’ series. His talent for delivering powerful, gritty performances was crucial in creating the dramatic, movie-like feel of the ‘Call of Duty’ single-player experiences. These roles demonstrated his ability to seamlessly move between serious film acting and intense video game characters.

Patrick Stewart

Patrick Stewart, known for his commanding voice, lent his talents to ‘The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion’ (2006) as Emperor Uriel Septim VII. Though he only appears briefly at the beginning, his character is central to the game’s main storyline, which revolves around the Dragonfires and a Daedric invasion. Stewart’s powerful and classically-trained delivery set a serious and dramatic tone for the entire game. He won a Spike Video Game Award for his performance, proving how impactful even a short role can be. His involvement was also a major part of how the game was marketed, showcasing its high level of quality.

Liam Neeson

In the 2008 game ‘Fallout 3′, Liam Neeson voiced James, the player character’s father. The story starts at the player’s birth and centers around finding James after he disappears from Vault 101. Neeson’s voice acting brought warmth and determination to the game’s bleak setting, adding emotional depth to the devastated Capital Wasteland. His involvement was a key part of Bethesda Softworks’ plan to deliver a high-quality, cinematic story. James’s strong sense of right and wrong, combined with his scientific curiosity, drives the main plot of the game.

Emma Stone

In the 2012 action game ‘Sleeping Dogs’, Emma Stone provided the voice for Amanda Cartwright, an American student who briefly becomes a love interest for the main character, Wei Shen. Stone was already a well-known actress at the time, having starred in popular movies and TV shows. Although her part in the game wasn’t large, she contributed to the game’s strong cast. ‘Sleeping Dogs’ is set in Hong Kong and featured a diverse group of actors from both Western and Eastern backgrounds, helping to create its distinctive feel.

Willem Dafoe

Willem Dafoe played Nathan Dawkins in the 2013 game ‘Beyond: Two Souls’, a dramatic and supernatural story. His character was a government scientist who acted as a father figure to the main character, Jodie Holmes, as she grew up. Dafoe not only voiced the character, but also used motion capture technology to create his movements and expressions. His performance showed how Nathan Dawkins changed from a supportive mentor into someone consumed by the idea of life after death. ‘Beyond: Two Souls’ was notable for featuring a well-known actor like Dafoe in a game focused on storytelling and player choices.

Elliot Page

Elliot Page starred as Jodie Holmes in the game ‘Beyond: Two Souls’, playing the character from childhood to adulthood. The role involved extensive motion-capture technology to realistically show Jodie’s development. Page’s performance was key to the game’s emotional depth, particularly in portraying Jodie’s connection to a supernatural being named Aiden. The game was showcased at the Tribeca Film Festival, emphasizing the film-like quality of Page’s acting. It’s still considered one of the most detailed and impressive performances ever given by a major actor in a video game.

Giancarlo Esposito

I was seriously blown away by Giancarlo Esposito’s performance as Antón Castillo in ‘Far Cry 6’. He played the dictator of Yara, this fictional Caribbean island, and brought that really intense, calculated energy he’s known for. They used his face everywhere in the trailers and cutscenes, really setting the stage for the political conflict in the game. What I found especially interesting was the story’s focus on his relationship with his son – it added a lot of emotional weight to the whole revolution. Apparently, Esposito treated this role just like one of his big TV parts, really prepping and getting into character.

Matthew Perry

Matthew Perry, best known for his role on ‘Friends,’ lent his voice to the character of Benny in the popular video game ‘Fallout: New Vegas’ (2010). He was a big fan of the previous ‘Fallout’ game, ‘Fallout 3,’ and often talked about how much he enjoyed the series. Because of his enthusiasm, the game developers at Obsidian Entertainment cast him as Benny, the slick and cunning chairman of the Tops Casino. Benny is memorable for shooting the game’s main character right at the start, which kicks off the entire story. Perry’s voice acting perfectly captured the cool, 1950s vibe of the New Vegas casino scene, reminiscent of the famous ‘Rat Pack’ entertainers.

Burt Reynolds

Burt Reynolds voiced the character Avery Carrington in the popular 2002 video game, ‘Grand Theft Auto: Vice City’. Carrington is a powerful and often cruel property developer who tasks the player with missions that involve dirty tricks and manipulating the real estate market. Reynolds brought his signature style – a smooth, charming, but slightly dangerous Southern persona – to the role. The character’s lines frequently offered advice on how to get ahead in business, even if it meant using dishonest methods. Rockstar Games cast Reynolds as part of a larger strategy to populate the game’s 1980s setting with well-known actors from that time period.

Ray Liotta

Ray Liotta famously voiced Tommy Vercetti in ‘Grand Theft Auto: Vice City’. This was a groundbreaking moment for video games, as he was one of the first well-known Hollywood actors to play a main character in a large, open-world game. Liotta’s portrayal of the ruthless and driven mobster was key to the game’s dark and intense atmosphere, reminiscent of the movie ‘Scarface’. Even though there were some difficulties during recording, Tommy Vercetti has become a hugely popular character in the ‘Grand Theft Auto’ series. The game’s success demonstrated that big-name actors could significantly enhance a major video game’s story.

Jack Black

In the 2009 action-adventure game ‘Brütal Legend’, Jack Black starred as Eddie Riggs, a character built around his love of rock music and comedic talent. The game’s story places Eddie in a fantastical world inspired by iconic album art. Black not only voiced and provided the appearance for Eddie, but also frequently ad-libbed lines, contributing to the game’s funny and lighthearted atmosphere. His performance was key to defining the game and its tribute to heavy metal music.

Sean Bean

Sean Bean, known for his roles in fantasy films, lent his voice to Martin Septim in ‘The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion’, starring alongside Patrick Stewart. Martin is the emperor’s secret son and the last chance to save the world of Tamriel from a demonic invasion. Bean portrayed the character’s transformation from a simple priest into a brave leader, ultimately making a selfless sacrifice. His experience playing strong, principled characters made him perfect for the part, and his involvement helped establish the game as a grand, dramatic fantasy adventure.

Carrie-Anne Moss

Carrie-Anne Moss is known for her roles in popular video games. She played Aria T’Loak, a strong and ruthless pirate queen who controls the Omega space station, in both ‘Mass Effect 2’ and ‘Mass Effect 3’. Fans loved her portrayal of Aria, even though the character wasn’t always good. More recently, in 2022’s ‘Horizon Forbidden West’, Moss returned as Tilda van der Meer, using advanced motion-capture technology to create a realistic and detailed performance.

Martin Sheen

Okay, so as a huge ‘Mass Effect’ fan, I gotta say Martin Sheen nailed the Illusive Man. He was the head of Cerberus, this group all about pushing humanity forward, even if it meant some shady stuff. He wasn’t just a typical villain, though – he was a really smart strategist, and often felt like a threat just through how Sheen spoke. They always showed him in this super high-tech office with a dying star in the background, which just added to his whole powerful vibe. Seriously, his performance really elevated the game’s story and made the political side of things so much more interesting.

Elijah Wood

Elijah Wood was the voice of Spyro in the revamped ‘Legend of Spyro’ games, which focused more on storytelling. He gave the dragon a more grown-up and brave voice than previous versions. The games also featured other well-known actors, aiming to create a movie-like experience for kids and families. Wood is also a big fan of video games in general, and has worked on titles like ‘Broken Age’. He played Spyro throughout the three ‘Legend of Spyro’ games, demonstrating his dedication to the character.

Vin Diesel

In 2004, Vin Diesel played Richard B. Riddick in ‘The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay.’ This game stood out from most movie-based games, earning high praise from critics and helping to define the stealth-action genre. Vin Diesel’s company, Tigon Studios, played a key role in its development, and he personally ensured the game was high quality. He contributed both his voice and appearance to create a character that matched the dark and serious tone of the original ‘Pitch Black’ movie. The game deepened the Riddick story and delivered a fantastic gaming experience.

Peter Dinklage

Peter Dinklage was the original voice of Ghost, the robotic companion in the 2014 video game ‘Destiny’. While his performance sparked a lot of discussion when the game launched, opinions were divided on his somewhat distant style of delivery. He delivered the now well-known line about a “wizard from the moon.” However, because of scheduling issues and a change in creative vision, Nolan North took over the role in 2015. Despite not continuing in the part, Dinklage’s initial involvement showed just how much money and effort went into making ‘Destiny’.

Kit Harington

In the 2016 game ‘Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare,’ Kit Harington – famous for playing a hero in ‘Game of Thrones’ – took on the role of the villain, Admiral Salen Kotch. He fully performed the character using motion-capture technology, appearing in important scenes throughout the game’s story. Kotch’s harsh and unwavering beliefs fueled the game’s central conflict. Activision chose Harington to bring a high level of cinematic quality to the game, continuing the series’ tradition of Hollywood-style storytelling.

Rami Malek

Rami Malek, before becoming an Oscar winner, lent his face and acting skills to the 2015 horror game ‘Until Dawn’. The game centers around a group of teenagers stranded on a mountain, and Malek played a key character involved in the unfolding mystery and suspense. Using advanced facial scanning, the game captured his realistic expressions, which were vital for creating both frightening moments and emotional impact. This role came early in his rise to fame, coinciding with the success of his TV show ‘Mr. Robot’.

Kiefer Sutherland

Kiefer Sutherland became the voice and face of Venom Snake in the ‘Metal Gear Solid V’ games, ‘Ground Zeroes’ and ‘The Phantom Pain’. Director Hideo Kojima chose Sutherland to portray the iconic soldier with a more realistic and serious tone. Sutherland’s performance emphasized the character’s quiet strength and tired expressions through both voice work and motion capture. Though some fans were initially upset by the change in voice actors, Sutherland’s work was praised for its movie-like quality and marked a move towards bigger budgets and more realism for the series.

Norman Reedus

Norman Reedus played the main character, Sam Porter Bridges, in Hideo Kojima’s 2019 game, ‘Death Stranding’. While the game boasts a famous cast, Reedus is at the heart of the story, appearing in almost every scene as he journeys across a broken version of America. He worked closely with Kojima, providing both the physical performance and voice for the character, perfectly capturing his weariness and loneliness. The game accurately recreates Reedus’s appearance, down to his tattoos and unique movements. This project came after their previous collaboration, a reboot of ‘Silent Hills’, was unfortunately cancelled.

Mads Mikkelsen

Mads Mikkelsen powerfully portrayed the villain Clifford Unger in ‘Death Stranding,’ appearing in disturbing flashback sequences throughout the game. His performance was critically acclaimed and earned him the Best Performance award at The Game Awards in 2019. Mikkelsen played a secretive soldier closely tied to the game’s central story about “Bridge Babies.” His striking appearance and ability to convey emotion were ideal for the game’s dreamlike and cinematic style. He’s frequently spoken about the artistic freedom and cutting-edge technology he enjoyed while working on the project.

Kristen Bell

As a long-time fan, I always loved Lucy Stillman in the first few ‘Assassin’s Creed’ games! Kristen Bell did the voice work, starting back in 2007, and it was awesome. She played this researcher for Abstergo who really guided Desmond Miles through those incredible genetic memories. They even modeled the character after her, which was so cool and made her instantly recognizable. Lucy wasn’t just a side character either – she was a huge part of the story that connected all the different time periods. Honestly, I think Kristen Bell’s involvement really helped ‘Assassin’s Creed’ break out and become the massive hit it is today, bringing it to a wider audience.

Christopher Walken

In the 2003 video game ‘True Crime: Streets of LA’, Christopher Walken voiced the character George. The game, a competitor to ‘Grand Theft Auto’, used well-known actors to stand out. Walken played a seasoned police officer who guides and narrates the story as a mentor to the main character, Nick Kang. His unique voice brought a blend of humor and authority to the game’s realistic police drama, making it a memorable role for the acclaimed actor in the world of video games.

Lucy Liu

In the 2012 game ‘Sleeping Dogs,’ Lucy Liu provided the voice for Vivienne Lu, a well-known actress within the game itself. She appeared in a side story where the player character had to protect her as they traveled around Hong Kong. Liu’s involvement helped make the game’s Hong Kong setting feel more realistic, as the game drew heavily from Hong Kong action movies. Though a small role, her appearance as a real-life star of the genre enhanced the game’s authenticity. ‘Sleeping Dogs’ was also notable for featuring a large number of talented actors of Asian and Asian-American descent.

Michael Fassbender

In the 2010 fantasy game ‘Fable III’, Michael Fassbender provided the voice for Logan, the ruthless King of Albion. Logan is the main villain for the first part of the game, and players must start a rebellion to overthrow him. Fassbender’s performance gave the character a compelling, tragic depth – Logan genuinely believes his strict methods are what Albion needs. He voiced the character around the time he was gaining recognition in films like ‘Inglourious Basterds’, and his involvement helped make the game’s themes of power and right versus wrong even more impactful.

Man, thinking about all the amazing voice acting in games, which performance really blew my mind the most? I’m curious to hear what surprised you the most, and if there are any other incredible performances I might have missed – let me know in the comments!

2026-02-10 05:21