Crispin Freeman is an American voice actor, voice director, and screenwriter who is best known for voicing characters in English-language dubs of Japanese anime, animation, and video games. Some of his prominent anime roles include Zelgadis Graywords in Slayers, Kyon in The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Togusa in the Ghost in the Shell franchise, Alucard in Hellsing, Kirei Kotomine in Fate/Zero and Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works, Itachi Uchiha in Naruto, Gyomei Himejima in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Hagi in Blood+ and Shizuo Heiwajima in Durarara!!.

Crispin Freeman
Freeman in 2009
Born
EducationWilliams College (BA)
Columbia University (MFA)
Occupation(s)Voice actor
Voice director
Screenwriter
Years active1997–present
RelativesCassidy Freeman (sister)
WebsiteOfficial website

Early life

edit

Freeman was born in Chicago.[1] His father is Jewish.[2] He is the oldest of three children. His sister Cassidy is an actress, while his brother Clark is an actor and musician.[3] Freeman graduated from the Latin School of Chicago in 1990 and earned a BA from Williams College, where he majored in theater and minored in computer science.[citation needed] He then earned an MFA in acting from Columbia University and went on to perform on Broadway, at the American Repertory Theater, at the Mark Taper Forum, at Cincinnati's Playhouse in the Park, and at the Williamstown Theater Festival.[citation needed] As a child, he was greatly influenced by anime such as Speed Racer and Battle of the Planets. Casey Kasem voiced the role of his favorite character, Mark of Battle of the Planets, and Freeman even wanted to change his name to Mark at one point[citation needed]. He later discovered Voltron, Star Blazers, and Robotech. He has also stated that the reason he got into the industry was because of the anime The Vision of Escaflowne. He initially got involved in the voice-over industry when a friend of his landed a role in Peacock King.[citation needed]

Career

edit
 
Freeman in May 2009

Knowing Freeman was a big anime fan, a friend suggested he call up Central Park Media (CPM) and apply for a job doing English dubs. When originally approached about dubbing, he initially declined. It was not until he remembered all of the anime shows he watched as a child that he realized that many people are introduced to anime through the English dubbed versions. In 1997, Freeman landed the role of Zelgadis Graywords in Slayers along with Lisa Ortiz, Eric Stuart and Veronica Taylor. He was the second and final voice actor to get the job after Zelgadis' original voice actor, Daniel Cronin, lost contact with CPM after a year-long halt in the dubbing. Years later, he turned to the American animation voice acting grounds.

Freeman has been best known for his work in Marvel Comics-based productions such as The Spectacular Spider-Man, Wolverine and the X-Men and The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes. He then starred as several versions of Roy Harper in Young Justice for DC Comics and Warner Bros. Since then, Freeman has had various roles throughout his career. He has appeared in many video game titles as memorable characters, such as Albedo from Namco's Xenosaga series, the god of the sun Helios in God of War III and God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla, Haji, Joel the 6th and Van Argeno in Blood+, the main protagonist Baldur in Silicon Knights's Too Human, Breakdown in Transformers: War for Cybertron, the Winter Soldier in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, and Iron Man in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2.

Freeman teaches classes, workshops, and performance lectures in the Los Angeles area.[4] In addition to classes, Freeman has a website called Voice Acting Mastery which includes podcasts and other resources regarding voice acting.[5]

In February 2023, Freeman guest voiced Lieutenant Nolan, an Imperial lieutenant with particular disdain for clones, the commanding officer of Crosshair, in Star Wars: The Bad Batch.[6]

Filmography

edit

Anime

edit
List of voice performances in anime
Year Title Role Notes Source[7]
1998 Revolutionary Girl Utena Touga Kiryuu, Dios
1998–2000
2010
Slayers series Zelgadis Graywords
1999–2000 The Irresponsible Captain Tylor Justy Ueki Tylor Also OVAs [8]
1999 Record of Lodoss War: Chronicles of the Heroic Knight Spark
2000 Virgin Fleet Mau Sakisaka OVA
Photon The Galactic Emperor
Shamanic Princess Kagetsu
2001 Boogiepop Phantom Masami Saotome, Manticore
Angel Sanctuary Rosiel OVA
Assemble Insert Host 1
RG Veda Taishakuten
2002 Now and Then, Here and There Tabool
Rurouni Kenshin Shogo Amakusa
Hellsing Alucard
Cosmo Warrior Zero Warrius Zero
I My Me! Strawberry Eggs Hibiki Amawa (male), Seiko's Father
Vandread: The Second Stage Tenmei Uragasumi
X Fuma Monou
Digimon Frontier Kouichi Kimura, Duskmon, Lowemon, Bakumon, Pipismon
2003 Argentosoma 1st Lt. Dan Simmons, MORGUE Military Official
.hack//Liminality Yuki's Brother, Harald Hoerwick OVA
Chobits Hideki Motosuwa
R.O.D.: Read or Die Joker OVA [8]
s-CRY-ed Straight Cougar, Councilmember
The Big O Season 2 Alan Gabriel
Geneshaft Mario Musicanova
Initial D Koichiro "Cole" Iketani
Spirit of Wonder Jim OVA
Witch Hunter Robin Amon
Last Exile Alex Row
.hack//SIGN Balmung [8]
2004 Kikaider 01 Rei / Kikaider 00 OVA
Wolf's Rain Tsume
Kaze no Yojimbo Genzo Araki, Yamamoto
.hack//Legend of the Twilight Balmung
Rave Master Shuda, Sieghart [9]
Angel Tales Shin
2004–2005 Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Togusa Also 2nd GIG
2004 Please Twins! Kosei Shimazaki
2005 Zatch Bell! Takeshi Kaneyama, Wonrei, Kane, Gustav, Mamoru Iwashima, Albert (Sherry's butler), Oren, Albert (Laila's bookkeeper), additional voices
Scrapped Princess Shannon Cassul Voice director, ADR Script Writer [10]
Planetes Colin Clifford
Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki Kamikura 3rd OVA series
2005–2009 Naruto Itachi Uchiha, Ebisu, Rasa [11][12]
2005 Mars Daybreak Lt. Rich
IGPX Bjorn Johannsen
2006 Eureka Seven Holland [8]
Noein: to your other self Karasu
2006–2014 Hellsing Ultimate Alucard OVA series
2007 Blood+ Hagi, Van Argeno, Joel Goldschmidt VI
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Kyon [13]
Phoenix Oh-ama-no-miko
Digimon Data Squad Thomas H. Norstein
2008–2009 Code Geass Jeremiah Gottwald
2008 Lucky Star Tomokazu Sugita, Kyon (cosplayer) [8]
Strait Jacket Isaac Hammond [14][15][16]
2009–2018 Naruto: Shippuden Itachi Uchiha, Rasa, Ebisu
2011 Durarara!! Shizuo Heiwajima   [17]
Marvel Anime: Wolverine Tesshin Asano [18]
2013 Tenkai Knights Vilius, Slyger
Fate/Zero Kirei Kotomine [8][19]
2015–2016 Durarara!!×2 Shizuo Heiwajima   [20][21]
2015 The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan Kyon   [22]
Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works Kirei Kotomine TV series [23]
2016 God Eater Soma Schicksal [24]
2019 Ingress: The Animation Jack Norman
Fate/Grand Order - Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia King Hassan, Meuniere
2020–2022 Ghost in the Shell: SAC 2045 Togusa [8]
2020 Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Gyomei Himejima [25]
Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon Osamu Kirin, Kirinmaru TV series
2021 Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan Confessor OVA
The Promised Neverland Peter Ratri
2023 Pokémon Horizons: The Series Friede [26]

Animation

edit
List of voice performances in animation
Year Title Role Notes Source[7]
2006 W.I.T.C.H. Raphael Sylla Episode: "Z is for Zenith"  
2008–2009 The Spectacular Spider-Man Max Dillon / Electro, Thug #1 6 episodes [8]
2009 Wolverine and the X-Men Multiple Man, Maverick [27]
2010–2013,
2019–2021
Young Justice Roy Harper / Arsenal / Red Arrow, Guardian, Will Harper, Captain Boomerang, Gregor Markov, Kaizen Gamorra, Nikolas Stofka, WayneTech Guard, Museum Curator [8]
2010 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated Howard E. Robertson, Rhino, Ben, Cook Episode: "The Shrieking Madness"
2012 The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes Scott Lang / Ant-Man Episode: "To Steal an Ant-Man"
Scooby-Doo! Haunted Holidays Fabian Menkle TV special
2014–2015

2017

Steven Universe Doug Maheswaran, Male Nurse 3 episodes [8][28]
2015 Wabbit Old Man #1, Dust Bunny 2 episodes [29][30]
2016–2018 Justice League Action J'onn J'onzz / Martian Manhunter [31]
2016 Adventure Time Turtle Prince, Ice President Episode: "Five Short Tables" [32]
2017 All Hail King Julien Alex Episode: "The End is Here" [8]
Spider-Man Mysterio, Spot Episode: "Bring On the Bad Guys"
2023 Star Wars: The Bad Batch Lieutenant Nolan Episode: "The Outpost" [33]

Films

edit
List of voice performances in feature films
Year Title Role Notes Source[7]
1998 Grave of the Fireflies Doctors, Old Man English dub
2001 Revolutionary Girl Utena Touga Kiryuu, Prince
Night on the Galactic Railroad Campanella
Space Travelers Hayabusa "Jay" Jetter
2002 Cowboy Bebop: The Movie Operator
2003 Sakura Wars: The Movie Brent Furlong Credited as Joseph McDougall, English dub [8]
2004 Slayers Premium Zelgadis Graywords English dub
Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence Togusa
2005 Howl's Moving Castle Prince Justin / Turnip Head
2006 Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Rude [8]
Ice Age: The Meltdown Various characters
2007 Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Solid State Society Togusa English dub
2010 The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya Kyon [8]
2015 Tiger & Bunny: The Rising Virgil [34]
2017 Teen Titans: The Judas Contract Roy Harper / Speedy [8]
2018 Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. presage flower Kirei Kotomine English dub [35]
Mirai Yukko (Human Form) [36]
2019 Promare Kray Foresight [37]
Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel II. lost butterfly Kirei Kotomine
2021 Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train Gyomei Himejima [8]
Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel III. spring song Kirei Kotomine

Video games

edit
List of voice performances in video games
Year Title Role Notes Source[7]
2003 .hack series Balmung Mutation, Outbreak, Quarantine [8]
20032006 Xenosaga series Albedo Piazolla, Gaignun Kukai
2003 Tales of Symphonia Regal Bryant
2004 Seven Samurai 20XX Ein [38]
World of Warcraft Thalen Songweaver, Commander Lindon, Vindicator Maraad, Il'gynoth the Heart of Corruption  
2005 Rave Master Shuda, Sieg Hart [8]
Soulcalibur III Siegfried Schtauffen [39]
2006 Kingdom Hearts II Setzer Gabbiani, Will Turner [8]
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Jack Sparrow Will Turner
Baten Kaitos Origins Heughes
Justice League Heroes Superman
2006–2016 Naruto series Itachi Uchiha, Rasa, Ebisu
2006 Gothic 3 The Nameless Hero
2006–2007 .hack//G.U. series Sakaki, Azure Balmung Rebirth, Reminisce, Redemption
2006 Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Winter Soldier
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops High Officer A
2007 300: March to Glory Leonidas, Persian Champion
Rogue Galaxy Gale Dorban, Jaus
Armored Core 4 Unseel, Defense Force [40]
Digimon World Data Squad Thomas H. Norstein, Sleipmon [8]
Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer Gannayev-of-Dreams, Khai Khmun
2008 Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law Myron Reducto [8]
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Rude
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Enemy Soldiers
Rise of the Argonauts Achilles  
2009 Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa Alex [8]
The Lord of the Rings: Conquest Legolas
Watchmen: The End Is Nigh Doctor Manhattan
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 Iron Man, Titanium Man
MagnaCarta 2 Alex
2010 White Knight Chronicles Setti, Grazel
Clash of the Titans Prokopion, Belo, Soldiers
Valkyria Chronicles II Zeri
Transformers: War for Cybertron Breakdown
God of War III Helios
2011 Marvel Super Hero Squad Online Bullseye, Ghost Rider, Punisher
White Knight Chronicles II Setti, Grazel
Resistance 3 Charlie Tent, Winston (Smoking Man), Leroy
2012 Diablo III Wizard (Male)
2013 Marvel Heroes Pyro, Gorgon, Ka-Zar
God of War: Ascension Bliss King, Civilian, Slave, Sailor [8]
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance Sundowner
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted: The Video Game Alex
Batman: Arkham Origins Firefly, GCPD Speaker [41]
2014 Bayonetta 2 Balder [8]
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Garrett, Breezy Diner, Researcher [42][8]
Tenkai Knights: Brave Battle Vilius, Slyger, A.I. Guidance System [8]
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare A.S.T.  
Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes Soldiers / Extras [8]
Destiny Guardian: Awoken Male
2014;
2017
Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix Setzer Gabbiani, Will Turner Archived [8]
2015 Batman: Arkham Knight Firefly [43]
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain Soldiers / Extras [8]
2016 Fallout 4: Far Harbor Brooks, Andre Michaud, William Moseley
Overwatch Winston [44]
Seven Knights Rudy Facebook[45]
Star Ocean: Integrity and Faithlessness Victor Oakville [8]
World of Final Fantasy Captain, Man in Rags English version
2017 Horizon Zero Dawn Helis
2018 Onmyoji Ootengu, Youko, Mannendake
Metal Gear Survive Player, MB Soldiers [8]
Epic Seven Charles
Marvel Powers United VR Loki
Lego DC Super-Villains Firefly, Arsenal, Riddler Goon
2018–2020 Destiny 2 Guardian: Awoken Male, Shin Malphur
2019 Kingdom Hearts III Will Turner [8]
Metro Exodus Admiral, Soldier  
Days Gone Mark "Cope" Copeland  
Judgment Masaharu Kaito [8]
Magic: The Gathering Arena Sorin Markov
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order Gorgon
Marvel Dimension of Heroes Loki Augmented reality game for mobile devices
The Outer Worlds Charles Rockwell
2021 Dark Alliance Drizzt Do'Urden
Lost Judgment Masaharu Kaito [8]
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles Gyomei Himejima [46]
2022 Chocobo GP Adelbert Steiner, Maduin [8]
2022 Elex 2 Tilas, Xander
2023 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II Alucard [47]
God of War Ragnarok Helios Valhalla DLC
Loop8: Summer of Gods Max Baldur [8]
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name Masaharu Kaito
Dreamworks All-Star Kart Racing Alex
2024 Granblue Fantasy: Relink Gallanza

Other dubbing

edit
List of voice performances in other dubbing
Year Title Role Notes Source[7]
2005 Oldboy Lee Woo-jin [48]

Live-action

edit
List of appearances in film and television
Year Title Role Notes Source[7]
2008 Adventures in Voice Acting Himself [49]

References

edit
  1. ^ Freeman, Crispin [@CrispinFreeman] (April 11, 2014). "A primeval forest sounds lovely! I was born in Chicago and never found one there. Show us where it is!" (Tweet). Retrieved January 30, 2017 – via Twitter.
  2. ^ @CrispinFreeman (6 June 2010). "@binkxy Absolutely! My Jewish father would love that!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  3. ^ 'Lex Schmex' – Meet SMALLVILLE's Tess Mercer Newsarama.com
  4. ^ "Crispin Freeman | Classes". Archived from the original on 2011-11-03. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
  5. ^ "Voice Acting Mastery: Become a Master Voice Actor in the World of Voice Over - Become the Character. Live the Dream. Find Yourself". Voice Acting Mastery: Become a Master Voice Actor in the World of Voice Over.
  6. ^ Young, Bryan (March 8, 2023). "The Bad Batch Brings Us One Of Its Best Episodes Yet". Slash Film. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d e f "Welcome to Arlene Thornton Agency". www.arlenethornton.com.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj "Crispin Freeman (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  9. ^ Rave Master. Event occurs at Closing credits, English language cast.
  10. ^ Scrapped Princess. Episode 4. Event occurs at Closing credits, English Adaptation.
  11. ^ Studio Pierrot (7 April 2007). "Return of the Morning Mist". Naruto. Episode 81. Cartoon Network.
  12. ^ "Voice Actor Crispin Freeman to Appear at Otakon" (Press release). Anime News Network. 11 June 2009. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
  13. ^ Ohanesian, Liz (June 28, 2010). "The Fandom of Haruhi Suzumiya". Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  14. ^ Strait Jacket. Manga Video. October 7, 2008. OCLC 244206876.
  15. ^ Greenberger, Robert (2008-09-08). "Strait Jacket to Make Domestic Debut on DVD". Comic Mix.
  16. ^ Strait Jacket (DVD). Manga Video. October 7, 2008. OCLC 244206876.
  17. ^ Brusuelas, James (December 12, 2010). "Aniplex Announces Durarara English Cast". Animation World Network. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  18. ^ "Mariko". Marvel Anime: Wolverine. Season 1. Episode 1. July 23, 2011. G4.
  19. ^ "Fate/Zero Anime to Get English Dub, Will Stream on Neon Alley – News". Anime News Network. February 6, 2013. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  20. ^ "Durarara!!×2 English Dub to Premiere March 10". Anime News Network. March 6, 2015. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  21. ^ "Aniplex Announces Part of Durarara!! English Dub Cast". Anime News Network. July 30, 2015. Retrieved September 9, 2015.
  22. ^ "The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan English Dub Reunites Haruhi Cast". Anime News Network. May 28, 2015. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  23. ^ "Aniplex USA Details Fate/stay night UBW, Durarara!! 2xSho Release Details". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2015-07-02.
  24. ^ Freeman, Crispin [@CrispinFreeman] (July 12, 2016). "Check out yours truly as Soma Schicksal in the new trailer for the anime series "God Eater"" (Tweet). Retrieved December 21, 2016 – via Twitter.
  25. ^ "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Anime's Video Reveals English Dub Cast for Hashira". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2020-03-24.
  26. ^ Freeman, Crispin [@CrispinFreeman] (July 20, 2023). "Very honored to be a part of the cast for #PokemonHorizons! Check me out as Friede in the new trailer" (Tweet). Retrieved July 20, 2023 – via Twitter.
  27. ^ "Crispin Freeman SacAnime Convention". sacanime.com. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  28. ^ "Fusion Cuisine". Steven Universe. Season 1. Episode 32. November 6, 2014. Cartoon Network.
  29. ^ "Buddha Bugs/Now and Zen". Wabbit. Season 1. Episode 1. September 21, 2015. Cartoon Network.
  30. ^ "Raising Your Spirits/Dust Bugster". Wabbit. Season 1. Episode 19. September 30, 2015. Cartoon Network.
  31. ^ "Justice League Action First 7 Episodes Review". The Reaf Debrief. 2016-12-14. Retrieved 2018-04-26.
  32. ^ "Five Short Tables". Adventure Time. Season 7. Episode 35. May 26, 2016. Cartoon Network.
  33. ^ Young, Bryan (March 8, 2023). "The Bad Batch Brings Us One Of Its Best Episodes Yet". Slash Film. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  34. ^ "Tiger & Bunny The Movie: The Rising 'New Driver' English Dub Clip Streamed". February 22, 2015. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  35. ^ "Fathom and Aniplex of America Bring Latest 'Fate/stay' Movie to Theaters - Three If By Space". 7 May 2018.
  36. ^ "Cho in Mirai – TrekToday". 31 October 2018.
  37. ^ "Promare Anime Film's English-dubbed Trailer Streamed (Updated)". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2019-08-29.
  38. ^ Dimps; Polygon Magic. Seven Samurai 20XX. Sammy Studios. Scene: Ending credits, 5:09:56 in, CAST.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  39. ^ "Metrocon 2012: Crispin Freeman Panel". YouTube. 18 June 2013. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13. Retrieved 2 August 2021. Event occurs at 22:20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  40. ^ FromSoftware. Armored Core 4. Sega. Scene: Ending credits, 2:28:10 in, Voice Cast.
  41. ^ @CrispinFreeman (November 9, 2013). "@Truebeatlesfanx Yes, that is me as Firefly" (Tweet). Retrieved November 9, 2013 – via Twitter.
  42. ^ Square Enix. Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII. Scene: Closing credits, 5 minutes in, Voice Actors, Additional Voices.
  43. ^ Rocksteady Studios. Batman: Arkham Knight. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Scene: Credits, Voiceover & Mocap Talent.
  44. ^ "Here Are the Voice Actors of the Overwatch Cast". twinfinite.net.
  45. ^ Official Seven Knights (October 26, 2016). "Greet the Users: Voices of Seven Knights". Facebook.
  46. ^ "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Hinokami Chronicles (2021 Video Game)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 28 November 2021. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  47. ^ Freeman, Crispin. "I am reprising the role, and yes, you can call me god. 😁". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 2023-10-10.
  48. ^ "Crystal Acids Crispin Freeman Page". Retrieved 2012-10-30.
  49. ^ "Bang Zoom! Entertainment to Preview Adventures in Voice Acting Documentary at New York Anime Festival" (PDF). Adventures in Voice Acting (Press release). December 4, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 6, 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2014.
Interviews
edit