While plenty of folks in my youth fanned the flame that made me dream of being an actor, the people on this page took it a step further—they helped push me down the path. Sure, massive credit goes to my mom, my high school drama teacher (Carl Spiegelberg), and yes, me (because sometimes you’ve got to kick your own butt when no one else is around to do it). But these individuals? They were right there with a well-aimed steal-toed boot and some perfectly timed encouragement. They share equal credit—or blame—for the career I’m lucky to have today.
1970s
Barry Dennen
Known for “Jesus Christ Superstar” and others. The first time I met Barry was for a table read of someone’s film script. He was the last to enter the room and I was so shocked that I just blurted it out that I used to pretend I was him in my bedroom at night (performing Pilate). That led to my idol flirting with me! You can’t top that.
Tim Curry
Known for “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and others. This is the top of the top! The pinnacle of people I could meet in my life! When I was a kid, there were three people I idolized; Barry Dennen, Benny Hill and Tim Curry. We met at the Arclight in Hollywood one night. I did what all fans do and intruded on his evening. He was so gracious and funny. I got a picture with him, but I looked like total crap in it! You can read about it here. Of course, six months later, my career hit one of those magical points when he was hired for the cartoon I was on as the main villain. I could go on, but this is a very long blog post!
1980s
Barbara Gill
Known for innumerable commercials and coaching in the 60s-80s. I accidentally stumbled into her studio in 1984 while looking for acting schools. Once she explained what VO was to me she encouraged me to cultivate my voice. Aside from it being a “good voice” she remarked that what I’d learn studying with her would also translate to my on-camera studies. So, she is ground zero for the birth of my VO career! She was sweet, succinct and professional. Forever grateful to her…
Earl Boen
Known for “Terminator” and others. I met Earl in 1985 after moving to LA. He cast me in his wife’s dinner show “Murder By Night” where I played a killer in drag. He was the first actor I met who was making a living from both on-camera and voice over gigs. A career I still strive to achieve. He was so very talented and dramatic and funny, and yes, a little moody. He was 40 when I met him and he was at that stage where he was dissatisfied with where his career was. An early lesson to count blessings and not suffer the treadmill for an ideal that only sheer luck and lightening can make happen. Unfortunately, I didn’t get it until I was 50. But I owe Earl so much. More than I ever told him when he was alive.
Michael Sorich
Known for “Digimon” and others. Here’s the OG of my voice actors! I met Michael in 1989 when my non-union commercial agent told me I should get a VO demo. Met him at Denny’s or Pink’s – I can’t remember! He put together a great reel for an inexperienced 24 year old. Several years later I hosted a Playboy Hidden Camera show and he, unbeknownst to me, was one of the hijinks actors in the recorded bits! But I didn’t run into him in person until 2022 at a studio in the Valley. Since then he’s directed me in a few mobile games and I just LOVE his personality. Funny, energetic, kind and knows his shit. He’s one of the propulsion people of my career!
1990s
Louise Chamis
Known for “Disney’s House of Mouse” and others. I found Louise through a Drama-Logue ad in 1991 or so. It was a cartoon voices class. I drove to Laurel Canyon to study with 4 others and her in her dining room. While I learned some in the class, the real impact of meeting her was “the hustle.” She was looking to maximize income after her divorce and when she realized one of her students was dating the guy who owned Coley Sound so she suggested we start of loop group. That led to a whole other entrance to VO for me. And taught me that i had to make things happen in my career. It also led to my meeting Doug Stone.
Doug Stone
Known for “Robotech” and others. First Michael Sorich, then Doug… We first met when I auditioned for his stage show “On Thin Ice” in the early 90’s. Then we crossed paths in a recording studio around 1994/95 and he took my info and cast me in several ADR gigs (think Hercules and Xena!) I learned a lot by watching him do his thing. Another super talented human with a great heart. Always grateful met him.
2000s
Lora Cain
Known for “Fallout” and others. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Lora! Back in 2002 I was desperate to get out go my survival gig as a demo reel editor at Planet Video. As chance would have it, a voice over workout group for industry professionals started meeting next door at Waves Sound Studio. About 3 or 4 sessions in Lora mentioned she did radio imaging out of her home studio for Texas clients. I was intrigued! I took her out to lunch and spent 2 hours picking her brain about how to set up one. She was so supportive and encouraging. Flash forward 3 months later and I had quit the survival gig and was making more money out of my home studio. She is a huge part of my VO career taking off…
Richard Epcar
Known for “Ghost in the Shell” and others. There are a few voice actors on this list who I must credit for adding propulsion to my career. Richard is definitely one of them. He was my first anime director at the turn of the century. He was also the first example of an on-camera actor transitioning into voice over. This was a concept I didn’t fully understand and was actually trying to avoid (out of sheer ignorance). So Richard represents a lot of things to me. I have since been directed by him in many things and always love how his humor pushes the envelope in ways neither of us want HR to know about! Only man taller than me that I hug.
Liam O’Brien
Known for “Critical Role” and others. What can I say, Liam made me Albert Wesker in “Resident Evil 5.” He was my director and he was so good at it – both in getting me to go operatic and also in protecting my voice from screaming overuse (Chriiiiiisssss). A whipsmart, funny human. A fun anecdote – he mentioned in the session that he auditioned for Wesker and wanted the role. Which makes me think that if some magical being came to me and offered me the Wesker role or to wait 10 years and be a part of Critical Role – I would’ve passed on Wesker in a heartbeat!
Joel McDonald
Known for “One Piece” and others. I met Joel at Youmacon around 2010 or so. I approached him and told him I was looking to get back into anime as I realized there was this whole convention explosion for VAs to make side income from. He immediately said he wanted to stunt cast me in “One Piece!” The rest is history. I haven’t seen him in person in years, but he’s been on zoom and in my ears for several session in the last year for something very fun coming in 2025/2026…
