Patrick Seitz

The Man Behind the Voices

When it comes to voice acting, there’s a certain finesse to capturing the essence of a character and bringing them to life. Patrick Seitz is one of those rare talents who not only nails this every time, but does so with a booming voice that makes you sit up and take notice. Whether he’s playing a savage villain or a misunderstood anti-hero, Seitz’s performances never fail to leave an impact. Let’s take a deep dive into the life and career of this voice acting powerhouse!

The Early Days

Born on March 17, 1978, in Riverside, California, Patrick Seitz wasn’t always the gruff-voiced giant we know today. Like many great voice actors, he started his journey with a love for the performing arts. Seitz earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from UC Riverside, followed by a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Chapman University. The man wasn’t just preparing to voice characters, he was prepping to write them, too! His background in creative writing helped hone his narrative sense, a skill that no doubt benefits his ability to understand and portray the many complex characters he voices.

Anime Stardom: Enter Bleach and Naruto

Patrick’s breakthrough came in the early 2000s, when he snagged a role in Bleach as Kenpachi Zaraki, a bloodthirsty yet oddly charismatic character. Kenpachi’s towering presence and larger-than-life personality fit Seitz’s vocal style like a glove. Anime News Network lists this role as one of Seitz’s most iconic. His gravelly voice added a perfect touch of menace and mystery to the character, helping to make Kenpachi one of the most memorable captains in the Bleach universe.

Not long after, Seitz took on the role of Raikage in Naruto: Shippuden. A tough and stoic leader, the Raikage was a perfect foil to Naruto’s youthful energy. Seitz managed to bring the right level of gravitas and authority to the character, solidifying his reputation as a go-to for authoritative figures.

One Piece and the Villains We Love to Hate

If you’ve ever watched One Piece, then you’ve probably crossed paths with the ruthless villain, Franky Family’s own “Iron Pirate” Franky, voiced by Seitz. However, his real villainous breakthrough came when he took on the role of X Drake. In One Piece, X Drake is a pirate-turned-marine-turned-pirate-again (it’s complicated, as things usually are in One Piece). Seitz’s ability to inject this double-crossing character with equal parts charm and menace made X Drake an instant fan-favorite.

Voicing the Undead in Hellsing

As if he hadn’t already mastered the art of voicing larger-than-life characters, Seitz stepped into the world of the undead with his portrayal of Luke Valentine in Hellsing. Luke is a refined, sadistic vampire with a taste for luxury—and human blood. Seitz brought an air of eerie sophistication to the character, making Luke as unsettling as he was charismatic. Hellsing may not have been Seitz’s first foray into the world of horror, but it was certainly one of his most memorable.

Video Game Stardom: Mortal Kombat and League of Legends

Seitz’s talents aren’t confined to the world of anime. He’s also had a booming career in video games. One of his most high-profile roles is that of Scorpion in the Mortal Kombat series. As the iconic ninja specter who demands foes to “Get over here!”, Seitz’s growling voice fits perfectly with Scorpion’s fiery personality. It’s no small task to take on a character with as much legacy as Scorpion, but Seitz rose to the occasion, adding layers of anger and depth to one of gaming’s most infamous anti-heroes. IMDB lists Seitz’s Scorpion portrayal as one of his top roles.

And let’s not forget League of Legends, where Seitz voices the monstrous Kog’Maw. As a champion who spits corrosive acid and speaks in an otherworldly screech, Kog’Maw is one of the more bizarre characters in the game. Seitz took this role and ran with it, giving Kog’Maw a voice that’s both terrifying and somehow endearing. That’s a tough balance to strike, but Seitz made it work effortlessly.

My Hero Academia and Beyond

As anime continues to rise in popularity, Seitz has made sure to stay right in the middle of the action. One of his more recent roles is as Endeavor, the powerful but deeply flawed hero in My Hero Academia. As the No. 2 hero in a world where superpowers (quirks) are the norm, Endeavor’s fiery personality is matched only by his fiery abilities. Seitz brings a simmering intensity to the role, capturing the character’s internal struggles as well as his external bravado.

Seitz has a knack for playing characters with a darker edge, and Endeavor is no exception. His portrayal adds nuance to a character that could easily have been one-dimensional in lesser hands. Fans of the series love Seitz’s take on Endeavor, as it humanizes a character who is, let’s face it, not always the easiest to like!

Directing and Writing Credits

Beyond voice acting, Seitz has also worked as an ADR director and scriptwriter. His directing credits include anime like Monster, Romeo x Juliet, and Hell Girl. Seitz has proven that his talents extend beyond just his voice, and that he has a keen eye (and ear) for guiding performances as well as crafting dialogue. His ability to wear multiple hats within the industry makes him a true jack-of-all-trades.

The Future of Patrick Seitz

With such a prolific career already under his belt, it’s safe to say that Patrick Seitz isn’t slowing down any time soon. Whether it’s voicing another anime anti-hero or stepping into the world of video games, Seitz continues to bring his unique blend of gravitas, humor, and heart to every role he tackles. There’s no telling what amazing character he’ll give life to next, but one thing is for sure—when Patrick Seitz speaks, we listen!

Conclusion

Patrick Seitz’s journey from creative writing graduate to voice acting powerhouse is nothing short of impressive. With memorable roles in Bleach, Naruto, One Piece, and Mortal Kombat, Seitz has proven time and again that he’s a force to be reckoned with in the voice acting world. Whether he’s making us laugh, cry, or scream in terror, there’s no denying that Seitz’s vocal talents have left an indelible mark on anime and gaming. So next time you hear a villainous laugh or a gruff hero’s rallying cry, don’t be surprised if it’s the unmistakable voice of Patrick Seitz behind the mic.