Black Actors Who Are Voices In Video Games

Over the past few decades, the video game industry has increasingly attracted actors from Hollywood. Many beloved game characters are now brought to life by talented Black actors who contribute both their voices and realistic movements. These performers add emotional depth and strong personalities to imaginary worlds, and have played a significant role in the success of some of gaming’s biggest franchises, whether as heroes or villains.

Keith David

Keith David is a well-known voice actor in gaming, famous for roles like the Arbiter in the ‘Halo’ series and David Anderson in ‘Mass Effect’. For decades, his distinctive, deep voice has been a favorite among players. He’s also appeared in other popular games, including ‘Saints Row’ where he played a version of himself, and ‘Mortal Kombat 11’ where he brought the iconic character Spawn to life.

Christopher Judge

Christopher Judge is famous for playing Kratos in the recent ‘God of War’ games. He gave a compelling and layered performance, essentially reinventing the character for today’s audiences. He’s received numerous awards for his work on both ‘God of War’ and ‘God of War Ragnarok’. Before becoming known as the Ghost of Sparta, Judge had already lent his voice to many different projects. His naturally deep and resonant voice brings weight and power to every character he plays.

Lance Reddick

Lance Reddick was a highly successful voice actor, best known for playing Commander Zavala in the ‘Destiny’ series and the enigmatic Sylens in the ‘Horizon’ games. He was celebrated for bringing a sense of intelligence and calm power to his performances. Reddick also appeared in ‘Quantum Break’ as Martin Hatch, contributing both his voice and appearance. His death has been a significant loss for the gaming community, who greatly admired his commitment to his roles.

Phil LaMarr

Phil LaMarr is a remarkably talented voice actor with a huge range. He’s famous for bringing characters like Vamp from ‘Metal Gear Solid,’ Sig from ‘Jak and Daxter,’ and Kotal Kahn from ‘Mortal Kombat’ to life. Throughout his extensive career, he’s voiced hundreds of characters, easily adapting his voice to fit any role.

Tony Todd

Tony Todd voiced the frightening villain Venom in ‘Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’, and many fans will recognize him as the voice of the Vortigaunts in ‘Half-Life 2’. Known for his deep, raspy voice, he’s often cast as scary or alien characters. Throughout his long career, Todd has been in numerous horror games, consistently bringing a powerful and captivating energy to his performances.

Dave Fennoy

Dave Fennoy is celebrated for his heartfelt portrayal of Lee Everett in Telltale Games’ ‘The Walking Dead,’ a role that brought him widespread praise and cemented his reputation as a top voice actor. He also lent his voice to the character of Lucius Fox in ‘Batman: The Arkham Knight.’ Known for his rich, expressive voice, Fennoy can deliver both warmth and authority. His contributions to story-focused games have been instrumental in expanding the possibilities of interactive storytelling.

Ike Amadi

Ike Amadi is a voice actor known for bringing powerful characters to life. He voiced the Prothean Javik in ‘Mass Effect 3’ and later became the voice of Shao Kahn in both ‘Mortal Kombat 11’ and ‘Mortal Kombat 1’. Amadi’s strong and authoritative voice is perfect for portraying warriors and leaders. He’s also lent his talents to games like ‘Knack’ and ‘Grand Theft Auto V’, demonstrating his ability to play a wide variety of roles, from heroes to villains.

Bumper Robinson

Bumper Robinson was the voice of Deadshot in the game ‘Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League’. He’s a veteran voice actor with extensive experience in animation and video games. He previously voiced Falcon in multiple ‘Disney Infinity’ games, and also had roles in ‘Fallout 4’ and ‘Doom Eternal’. Robinson is known for bringing lively and engaging personalities to the characters he plays.

Zeno Robinson

Zeno Robinson is quickly becoming a popular voice actor. He’s recently gained recognition for voicing Dee Jay in ‘Street Fighter 6’, and also provided voices for characters in ‘Horizon Forbidden West’ and ‘Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart’. While he’s well-known in the anime world, he’s now making a big impact in video games, bringing a fresh and energetic quality to his roles. Audiences love that he can convincingly portray both funny and dramatic scenes.

Khary Payton

As a big fan of voice acting, I’ve always recognized Khary Payton’s work. He’s the voice of Cyborg for me, in so many DC games and the ‘Injustice’ series. But he’s not just a DC guy – I was surprised to learn he was Drebin in ‘Metal Gear Solid 4’! He just has this incredibly charismatic voice that really brings characters to life. More recently, I enjoyed his performance as Herald in ‘Marvel’s Midnight Suns’. What I really appreciate about his roles is that he consistently nails that blend of humor and genuine heroism – it makes his characters so compelling.

Abubakar Salim

Abubakar Salim brought Bayek of Siwa to life in ‘Assassin’s Creed Origins’ through both his voice acting and motion capture. Critics and fans loved his performance, noting its emotional power and nuance. Later, Salim started his own game studio and created ‘Tales of Kenzera: Zau’. He’s also a strong voice for more diversity in the stories told through video games. Many fans consider his performance as Bayek to be one of the best in the entire ‘Assassin’s Creed’ series.

Nadji Jeter

Nadji Jeter brings Miles Morales to life as both the voice and face of the character in the popular ‘Marvel’s Spider-Man’ games created by Insomniac Games. He’s played Miles in several games, including the standalone ‘Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales.’ Jeter perfectly portrays the character’s youthful energy and development as he becomes a confident hero, and his performance has been key to the franchise’s popularity. He’s also known for voicing Sam in ‘The Last of Us’.

Giancarlo Esposito

Giancarlo Esposito played the villain, Anton Castillo, in ‘Far Cry 6’. He brought the character to life with a voice and presence that were both menacing and refined. Esposito is well-known for portraying complicated characters who are calm but subtly intimidating, and this role was his first time as the lead villain in a major video game. His performance really enhanced the game’s cinematic feel.

Idris Elba

Idris Elba plays Solomon Reed in the ‘Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty’ expansion, providing both the voice and appearance for the character. He brought his signature intensity and charm to the game’s world of Night City. Reed is a complicated secret agent haunted by his past, and Elba’s involvement helps blur the lines between major movies and top-quality video games.

Jeffrey Wright

Jeffrey Wright is a talented voice actor who brought depth to several notable roles. He played Isaac Dixon in ‘The Last of Us Part II’, using his unique voice to portray a leader within the game’s factions. He also voiced the Watcher in the ‘Marvel’s What If…?’ series. Known for his thoughtful and controlled performances, Wright’s contribution to ‘The Last of Us Part II’ greatly enhanced the story and the impact of its different groups.

Kevin Michael Richardson

Kevin Michael Richardson is a hugely successful voice actor known for his work in countless video games and animations. He’s famous for bringing characters like Sarevok from ‘Baldur’s Gate’ and Tartarus from ‘Halo 2’ to life. Because of his deep, powerful voice, he often plays intimidating characters like monsters, giants, and villains. You might also recognize his work from ‘Kingdom Hearts’ and ‘Skylanders’. He’s considered one of the most consistently working and recognizable performers in the voice acting world.

Gary Anthony Williams

Gary Anthony Williams is a veteran voice actor who’s lent his talents to popular franchises like ‘Star Wars,’ including ‘Star Wars Battlefront II,’ and the ‘Saints Row’ series. He’s celebrated for his wide vocal range and ability to deliver comedic performances. Whether playing supporting characters or major roles, Williams consistently brings a playful and energetic quality to his work.

Arif S. Kinchen

Arif S. Kinchen is widely recognized as the voice of Pierce Washington in the ‘Saints Row’ video games. He portrayed the character in several games within the series, bringing a cool and dependable quality to the role of a powerful gang member. Beyond ‘Saints Row,’ Kinchen also lent his voice to ‘Dead Island’ and ‘The Last of Us.’ His voice has become a signature element of the ‘Saints Row’ franchise.

James Earl Jones

As a huge movie fan, I always get chills hearing James Earl Jones as Darth Vader, and it’s amazing he brought that same power to the ‘Star Wars’ games. Seriously, that voice is instantly recognizable – it’s one of the most iconic in film history! He lent it to games like ‘Star Wars: The Force Unleashed’ and even ‘Lego Star Wars’, and even in those, you just feel his presence. He really helped keep Darth Vader feeling like the terrifying, imposing figure we all know and love.

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson is famous for his voice acting, particularly as the villainous Officer Frank Tenpenny in ‘Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas’. Many consider this performance to be one of the greatest celebrity voice-overs ever in a video game, as he perfectly captured the character’s threatening and believable nature. He also voiced Frozone in ‘The Incredibles’ game, and his work in these roles helped raise the bar for storytelling in open-world games.

Terry Crews

As a fan, I was really excited to see Terry Crews as Commander Jaxon in ‘Crackdown 3’! He totally brought the character to life, lending both his voice and his awesome look to the game. You know Terry – he’s just got so much energy and charisma! He even showed up to promote ‘Overwatch’ a bit, which was cool to see, even though he wasn’t in the game. Honestly, having Terry Crews involved was a huge deal for ‘Crackdown 3’ – it definitely got people talking about it!

Lester Speight

As a huge ‘Gears of War’ fan, I have to say Lester Speight is Cole Train. He completely brought Augustus Cole to life with so much energy and excitement! Seriously, his performance made Cole one of the most popular characters in the whole series. And who could forget the ‘Cole Train Rap’? It’s become iconic! To me, his voice just is the sound of ‘Gears of War’ – loud, powerful, and totally unforgettable.

Michael Jai White

Michael Jai White is well-known for voicing Jax Briggs in the ‘Mortal Kombat’ web series and video games. A skilled martial artist, he brings a realistic quality to his action roles. Throughout his career, he’s been in many other action films and projects, and his powerful voice and strong build make him perfect for portraying fighting characters.

John Boyega

John Boyega returned as the character Finn in the video game ‘Star Wars Battlefront II’, recording new lines and voice work for updates. As a passionate gamer himself, Boyega’s participation helped keep the character consistent with the ‘Star Wars’ films. He’s also lent his voice to other games connected to Disney.

Shameik Moore

Shameik Moore is the voice of Miles Morales in the animated movie ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ and related projects. Though Nadji Jeter voices Miles in the Insomniac video games, Moore is the voice audiences recognize from the film and other appearances. He brings a fresh, energetic performance to the role, infused with a hip-hop sensibility, and has been instrumental in making Miles Morales a popular character worldwide. His voice is instantly recognizable and truly embodies the character’s personality.

Mahershala Ali

Mahershala Ali provides the voice for Aaron Davis, also known as the Prowler, in the Spider-Man movies. He’s lent his voice to other projects featuring the character as well. As an Academy Award-winning actor, Ali brings a certain quality to his voice work. His smooth and thoughtful delivery is perfect for a stealthy character like the Prowler, and his performance has been key to showing the complex bond between Miles Morales and his uncle.

Sterling K. Brown

Sterling K. Brown lent his voice to ‘Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales’ and other related content. A celebrated actor with a remarkable ability to convey emotion, Brown hopes to take on larger voice acting roles in the future. His voice is naturally warm and commanding, bringing a sense of polish to all his work.

Donald Glover

Donald Glover played the voice of Miles Morales in the animated series ‘Ultimate Spider-Man’ and in related video games. Interestingly, he was a key influence when the character was first being developed. Glover is a very talented performer, and he brought a lot of life and personality to the role. He also made an appearance in ‘Disney Infinity 2.0’. His work has become an important part of Miles Morales’ story.

Common

Common voiced the character James Heller in the video game ‘Prototype 2’, playing the main villain. Known as both a rapper and actor, Common often brings a powerful and artistic style to his performances. His work as Heller was a key part of the game’s story, an open-world action adventure. He’s also appeared in other games, sometimes as himself and other times as original characters.

Method Man

Method Man was featured as a playable character and voice actor in the ‘Def Jam’ wrestling games, notably becoming a key part of the beloved ‘Def Jam: Fight for NY’. The game perfectly captured his unique voice and personality, fitting well with its gritty street-fighting world. Known for his distinctive raspy voice and rapping style, Method Man continues to be a popular choice among players of music-based video games.

Snoop Dogg

As a huge movie and gaming fan, I’ve always been impressed by Snoop Dogg’s appearances in video games. He’s popped up in titles like ‘True Crime: New York City’ and ‘Call of Duty’ quite a few times! What’s cool is he usually lends his actual voice and persona to the game, either as a playable character or an announcer. His chill style and unique way of talking always get a great reaction from players. He’s even released downloadable voice packs for some big shooting games. Honestly, he’s become one of the most recognizable celebrity faces in the gaming world, and I always enjoy seeing what game he’ll show up in next.

50 Cent

50 Cent didn’t just lend his name to the video games ‘Bulletproof’ and ‘Blood on the Sand’ – he was a central part of them. He starred as himself, provided all the voice acting, and even helped shape the games’ creative vision. Known for their fast-paced action and dramatic presentation, the games perfectly showcased his distinctive voice and style in a gritty urban setting.

Ice-T

Ice-T, a dedicated gamer who regularly streams online, is known for voicing video game characters. He brought a realistic and edgy quality to his performances as Griffin in ‘Gears of War 3’ and Madd Dogg in ‘Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas’. His work on ‘Gears of War’ was particularly exciting for fans of the game.

LeVar Burton

LeVar Burton, best known for playing Geordi La Forge in ‘Star Trek,’ has returned to the character in several video games, including ‘Star Trek Online’ and ‘Star Trek: Bridge Academy.’ A television icon, Burton evokes fond memories for fans with his performances. His voice is instantly recognizable – calm, clear, and beloved by science fiction enthusiasts. He continues to be a strong supporter of ‘Star Trek’ gaming.

Rick Worthy

Rick Worthy is a veteran character actor known for his distinctive and professional voice. He voiced the character Alpha 152 in ‘Dead or Alive 4’ and has also contributed to several ‘Star Trek’ games and other science fiction projects. His work consistently brings a sense of weight and seriousness to the games and shows he’s a part of.

Ahmed Best

Ahmed Best is widely known as the voice of Jar Jar Binks, appearing in nearly all of the ‘Star Wars’ video games. Beyond Jar Jar, he’s lent his voice to many other characters within the ‘Star Wars’ galaxy and in other projects. Best is celebrated for his talent as both a physical actor and a voice actor. Even though his most famous role was initially controversial, he’s remained a committed member of the ‘Star Wars’ community, and has recently even played a Jedi in some of the games.

Don Cheadle

Don Cheadle not only provided the voice for James Rhodes, also known as War Machine, in the ‘Iron Man 2’ video game, but also allowed the game developers to use his appearance to make the character look like he does in the movies. He brings a realistic, military feel to the role and has been involved in several other Marvel games. This helps keep the characters consistent between the films and the games.

Dennis Haysbert

Dennis Haysbert brought his famously deep and reassuring voice to the ‘Splinter Cell’ series, voicing the character Irving Lambert in ‘Pandora Tomorrow’. He took over the role from the original voice actor for that game. Fans remember his performance as a highlight of the stealth action franchise.

Michael Dorn

Michael Dorn is a well-known voice actor with a long and successful career. He’s beloved by fans for his work as Marcus in the video games ‘Fallout 2’ and ‘Fallout: New Vegas’, and is also famous for voicing Worf in several ‘Star Trek’ games. Dorn’s deep, powerful voice makes him particularly well-suited to playing characters that are otherworldly or possess extraordinary abilities. His performance as Marcus remains a highlight for many in the ‘Fallout’ community.

Ernie Hudson

Ernie Hudson returned as Winston Zeddemore in ‘Ghostbusters: The Video Game’, lending both his voice and appearance to the project. He’s also been in games like ‘NBA 2K’ and is known for bringing a relatable and warm presence to his roles. His involvement was key to making the ‘Ghostbusters’ game feel like a genuine continuation of the original movies.

Laurence Fishburne

Laurence Fishburne famously voiced the character Morpheus in ‘The Matrix Online’. He was one of the few actors from the original movies to reprise his role when the game’s story was expanded. Fishburne is known for his distinctive, thoughtful voice, and he’s also lent his voice to many documentaries within games. His involvement consistently brings a sense of intelligence and depth to any project.

Forest Whitaker

As a huge ‘Star Wars’ fan, I was so excited to hear Forest Whitaker reprised his role as Saw Gerrera in ‘Jedi: Fallen Order’! He absolutely nailed it, bringing that same raw intensity to the game that made the character so memorable in ‘Rogue One’. It’s amazing having an Academy Award-winning actor like him really elevate the story. It felt like a seamless connection between different eras of the ‘Star Wars’ universe, and honestly, his voice is just perfect for a grizzled, battle-worn rebel leader like Saw.

Will Smith

Will Smith famously voiced the main character, Oscar, in the ‘Shark Tale’ video game. He used his lively and funny voice to bring the underwater story to life. As a huge celebrity, his participation was a big event, and he really made the character his own. This is still one of his most notable roles in video games.

Mykelti Williamson

Mykelti Williamson, a well-known actor with a highly adaptable voice, lent his talents to ‘Grand Theft Auto IV’, voicing a news reporter and other characters. He’s also appeared in ‘Call of Duty: Elite’ content. His voice work in ‘Grand Theft Auto’ significantly contributed to the immersive and realistic feel of Liberty City.

Andre Braugher

Andre Braugher, a remarkably talented actor with a powerful and versatile voice, famously portrayed the villain Darkseid in ‘Superman: Shadow of Apokolips’. He was particularly suited to playing imposing characters, bringing a dramatic, almost Shakespearean quality to his roles. His death is a significant loss to the acting community, especially for those in voice acting.

Courtney B. Vance

Courtney B. Vance narrated ‘Dead Space Extraction’, bringing a feeling of mystery and suspense to the game’s backstory. Known for his award-winning acting and distinct, captivating voice, Vance has experience in many story-driven projects. His narration was key in establishing the unsettling atmosphere of the game.

Richard Gant

Richard Gant was the voice of Dr. Terrence Kyne in the original ‘Dead Space’ game. He portrayed the scientist with a sense of both sympathy and desperation as he struggled to survive. A veteran actor with experience in film and TV, Gant’s performance added a human element to the sci-fi horror, giving real emotional weight to the character’s heartbreaking story.

Danny Glover

Danny Glover was a playable character in the ‘Jumanji: The Video Game’, bringing his voice and appearance from the movie sequel to the game. A celebrated actor known for his wisdom and comedic timing, Glover has also appeared in several other video games and related media over the years. His voice is instantly familiar to viewers of all ages.

Carl Weathers

Carl Weathers, known for his role as Dillon in ‘Predator,’ lent his voice to the Jax Briggs character skin in ‘Mortal Kombat X.’ He was a memorable actor who always projected strength and charm. Beyond ‘Mortal Kombat,’ Weathers also participated in other projects related to video games, offering a fun tribute to classic action movies for fans.

Tell us which of these legendary voice performances is your favorite in the comments.

2026-02-17 19:22