Video Game Voice Actors Who Went Uncredited

For years, many video game voice actors haven’t received the public credit they deserve. Often, established actors and even Hollywood stars performed in popular games under fake names or with no credit at all, due to complicated rules from performers’ unions. These secret performances have become fun facts for dedicated gamers who recognize famous voices. This list explores the actors who weren’t listed in the game credits, showcasing how labor rules have changed and how voice acting has become a respected profession.

James Earl Jones

As a huge fan, I was so excited to hear James Earl Jones reprise his role as Mufasa in ‘Kingdom Hearts II’ when it came out in 2005! It was amazing to actually interact with him as Mufasa during those Pride Lands sections. But it’s a little weird – even though everyone instantly recognized his voice, his name wasn’t in the game’s credits. It’s a strange omission for such a famous actor, especially considering how much his voice added to the emotional story.

Kathleen Turner

In the 2006 video game based on ‘Monster House,’ Kathleen Turner brought her signature gravelly voice back to the character of Constance, just as she did in the original movie. However, her work on the game wasn’t officially acknowledged in the credits. The game centers around three kids investigating a living house, with Constance – voiced by Turner – acting as its eerie and fiercely protective spirit. This situation is a good example of how famous movie actors aren’t always properly credited when they appear in video game adaptations.

David Hayter

David Hayter is widely known as the voice of Solid Snake, but when the first ‘Metal Gear Solid’ came out in 1998, he was credited as ‘Sean Barker.’ This was due to rules set by the actors’ union, which impacted many voice actors working on Japanese games at the time. Hayter later received proper credit in future games and became the iconic voice of the franchise. His tough and realistic performance was key to the game’s success and helped define the tactical espionage genre. The fact that he initially used a pseudonym is still a well-known story among fans.

Jennifer Hale

Jennifer Hale is a highly successful voice actress, but early in her career, she used the name Carren Learning when she voiced the character Naomi Hunter in the original ‘Metal Gear Solid’. Naomi provides medical and tactical assistance to the game’s hero. It was common at the time, in the late 1990s, for voice actors to use pseudonyms to comply with union rules. Hale later became well-known for her work on games like ‘Mass Effect’, where she received full credit for her performances. However, her portrayal of Naomi Hunter is still considered a key element of the story in the classic ‘Metal Gear Solid’ game created by Hideo Kojima.

Cam Clarke

Cam Clarke originally used the name James Flinders when voicing the villain Liquid Snake in ‘Metal Gear Solid’. He created a memorable performance that highlighted the intense rivalry between the game’s main characters. Clarke chose to keep his real name off the credits to follow actors’ union rules back then. Even with the fake name, fans who knew his work in cartoons and other games immediately recognized his voice. He later came back to work on the ‘Metal Gear’ series and finally received official credit for all his roles.

Reuben Langdon

Reuben Langdon voiced and performed motion capture for Dante in ‘Devil May Cry 3’, but he used the alias Justin Cause at the time. This was to avoid conflicts with work contracts common in the mid-2000s. His performance as the younger, more boastful version of the demon hunter helped make the series popular again, adding a realistic physicality to the character through his movements and voice. He later began using his actual name in future games within the Capcom franchise.

Johnny Yong Bosch

Johnny Yong Bosch voiced and performed the motion capture for Nero in ‘Devil May Cry 4’, but wasn’t officially credited when the game first came out. He brought a unique energy to the series as a new lead character fighting with the established hero, Dante. While known for his anime work, Bosch often performed in video games anonymously or without credit at the time. His performance connected fans old and new, and he’s now a recognized and credited part of the ‘Devil May Cry’ franchise in recent releases.

Steve Blum

Steve Blum, a well-known voice actor, used the name David Lucas when working on the game ‘Digital Devil Saga’ and its sequel. He played the character Gale, delivering a serious and fitting performance for the game’s dark setting. It was common for voice actors at the time to use different names to handle various work contracts. While Blum has a long and impressive career, many of his older, more specialized roles are still credited under those different names. Fans of the genre particularly appreciate his work in the ‘Shin Megami Tensei’ series.

Yuri Lowenthal

Yuri Lowenthal, now famous for voicing characters like Spider-Man, used the alias Jimmy Benedict when he first appeared in the beloved game ‘Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne’. He played the main character who becomes the Demi-fiend after a world-ending disaster. Using a pseudonym was common practice for voice actors at the time, and it allowed him to work on the English version of the game. His performance was crucial in creating the game’s distinctive dark and thoughtful atmosphere, helping to make it a highly influential role-playing game.

Kari Wahlgren

When Kari Wahlgren voiced Princess Ashe in the 2006 game ‘Final Fantasy XII,’ she used the name Kay Jensen. She gave a powerful and determined performance as a key character in the game’s complex political story. Using a fake name, or pseudonym, was common for well-known voice actors at the time, as more and more games were being translated and released in English. Wahlgren is now properly credited for her work in the updated versions of the game, allowing a new generation of players to appreciate her performance. Her portrayal of Ashe is still considered one of the best female voice acting roles in the entire ‘Final Fantasy’ series.

Liam O’Brien

Liam O’Brien originally used the name David Kay when he voiced Akihiko Sanada in ‘Persona 3’. His portrayal of the serious and battle-ready student quickly became popular with fans of the role-playing game. Using a pseudonym was common for voice actors at the time, helping them manage their contracts. O’Brien has since become a well-known voice actor, celebrated for his work in video games and online series. His performance was key to establishing the characters’ personalities when the game was first released in the West.

Tara Platt

Tara Platt is a voice actress who’s worked on popular games like ‘Fire Emblem’ and ‘Persona,’ often using the name Taylor Henry for different characters. She’s especially well-known for voicing strong, leading female characters, such as Mitsuru Kirijo. Using a pseudonym allowed her to work on a variety of projects without conflicting with her established career. Now, Platt actively supports other voice actors and often shares her insights on how the industry is changing.

Crispin Freeman

In the early 2000s, voice actor Crispin Freeman used the alias Joseph Meissner when he played Albedo in ‘Xenosaga Episode I’. His performance as the villain was memorably unsettling and chaotic. He used a pseudonym because of certain requirements during the game’s production. Freeman is well-known for his insightful character work and ability to express complicated feelings through his voice. He’s still a major presence in gaming, but now typically performs under his own name.

Wendee Lee

Wendee Lee is a veteran voice actress with a career stretching back decades. She often performed under the name Barbara Goodson, especially in games like ‘SoulCalibur,’ where she voiced several characters and helped popularize the fighting game with English-speaking players. Using pseudonyms was common for many original voice actors in fighting games. Lee is a trailblazer for women in the voice acting world, with a vast body of work—thousands of credits—that continues to inspire performers entering the video game industry.

Michelle Ruff

Voice actress Michelle Ruff worked on the ‘Resident Evil’ series and other games from Capcom, but often didn’t use her real name in the credits. She frequently used the name Georgette Rose to keep her work separate across different projects. She was incredibly adaptable, voicing both the main heroes and more subtle characters in the survival horror games. These early roles were important in establishing English voice acting in Japanese games. Now, Michelle is highly respected and a popular guest at fan conventions where she celebrates her long career.

Mary Elizabeth McGlynn

Mary Elizabeth McGlynn performed under the name Melissa Williamson while working on the ‘Silent Hill’ games. She’s well-known for both her voice acting and her incredibly eerie singing on the game’s soundtrack. She used a pseudonym to manage her work as both a director and performer in the same industry. Her voice became strongly associated with the games’ signature suspenseful and frightening atmosphere. More recently, she’s been credited using her real name, reflecting a move toward greater openness in the industry.

Kyle Hebert

Kyle Hebert is a well-known voice actor who worked on popular games like ‘Street Fighter IV’. Early in his career, he sometimes used different names for projects outside of union agreements, a common practice for actors building their experience. He’s celebrated for his strong, commanding voice, which made him a perfect fit for playing powerful characters and heroes. Now a prominent figure in the voice acting community, Hebert frequently shares stories about his career. His iconic performances continue to be a highlight of the fighting game world, praised for their energy and impact.

Paul Eiding

Paul Eiding was the voice of Colonel Roy Campbell in the first ‘Metal Gear Solid,’ but he was credited as Paul Otis. As the player’s commanding officer, he was a key figure throughout the game. Using a pseudonym was common for the entire cast, a practice put in place due to project requirements at the time. Eiding’s performance brought a feeling of both strength and caring to the character, which helped make the game’s fantastical story feel more believable. He’s a well-known and respected actor with a long career in both video games and traditional animation.

Christopher Randolph

Christopher Randolph was the voice of Hal Emmerich, widely known as Otacon, in the ‘Metal Gear Solid’ games. For the original 1998 PlayStation game, he used the name Christopher Fritz. His portrayal beautifully captured the character’s sensitive nature and intelligence, making Otacon a key ally to the main character. Randolph continued to voice Otacon in nearly all future games in the series. As the franchise grew in popularity and crediting practices changed, he began using his actual name.

Doug Stone

Doug Stone, who played the character Psycho Mantis in the original ‘Metal Gear Solid,’ used the name David Thomas during production. He gave a truly memorable and unsettling performance as the psychic boss known for ‘reading’ the player’s memory card. Using pseudonyms was common for the game’s western release, as the production team relied on a skilled, but uncredited, cast. Stone’s work on the character is still considered one of the most iconic moments in gaming, and he’s now widely recognized for his significant contribution to the ‘Metal Gear’ series.

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2026-01-04 18:17