David Kaye (voice actor)

David Kaye is a Canadian voice actor. He is best known for animation roles such as Megatron in five of the Transformers series (Beast Wars, Beast Machines, Armada, Energon, and Cybertron), Optimus Prime in Transformers: Animated, Professor X in X-Men: Evolution, Cronus in Class of the Titans, Khyber in Ben 10: Omniverse, several characters in Avengers Assemble, and Duckworth in the reboot of DuckTales. He is also known for anime roles including Sesshōmaru in Inuyasha and Treize Khushrenada in Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, and video game roles such as Clank in the Ratchet & Clank series and Nathan Hale in the Resistance series. He is also the announcer for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver on HBO and voiced the Celestial Arishem in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Eternals. He did voice work for various other studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada for many years while occasionally doing voice work in Los Angeles, California, US, before fully relocating there in 2007.

David Kaye
Kaye in April 2008
OccupationVoice actor
Years active1989–present
SpouseMaria Hope
Children1
Websitedavidkaye.com

Early life

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During the 1980s, Kaye moved to Vancouver to work in radio. He also did theatre, playing George in a production of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Elwood P. Dowd in a production of Harvey.[1]

Career

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Kaye's voice acting career began in 1989 with General Hawk in the DiC animated series G.I. Joe. Working as an on-air talent for radio station CKLG (LG73), he quickly became less interested as both on-camera and voice roles started taking up more of his time. On-camera opportunities came in the form of guest roles on TV series and movies such as The X-Files, Battlestar Galactica, and Happy Gilmore. During this time, he was cast in several animation shows and video games, including a role as Megatron in Beast Wars. This began a decades-long relationship with the Transformers franchise. In 2007, Kaye become the first and (as of 2021) only actor in the franchise to play both Megatron and Optimus Prime in regular roles, voicing the latter for Cartoon Network's Transformers: Animated. He also lent his voice to the later series Transformers: Prime and Transformers: Robots in Disguise.

In anime, Kaye has been the voice behind Sesshomaru in the English dubbed InuYasha series, Treize Khushrenada in Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, Recoome in Dragon Ball Z (1996–98) and as Soun Tendo in Ranma ½. His involvement in anime has led to several appearances at conventions. Kaye later moved to Los Angeles and has since worked on Ben 10: Omniverse as the villain Khyber, on Regular Show as Reginald, and on Xiaolin Chronicles as Clay Bailey, F-Bot, and Chase Young. He has voiced several characters on the Avengers Assemble animated series and Max Tennyson in the reboot of Ben 10. He shared the role of the Stretch Monster with Miguel Ferrer in Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters, and also succeeded Ferrer as Vandal Savage in Young Justice: Outsiders following his death.

Kaye also narrates film trailers and network promos for ABC, Fox, The CW, National Geographic, TLC, FX, and others.

Personal life

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Kaye and his wife, Maria Hope, have a daughter named Tianna.[2]

Filmography

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Animation

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Year Title Role Notes
1996–1999 Beast Wars: Transformers Megatron
1997 Kleo the Misfit Unicorn Various voices [3]
1997 Mummies Alive! Talos 3 episodes
1997 ReBoot Head Spectral Episode: "Where No Sprite Has Gone Before"
1998 Fat Dog Mendoza Various voices [3]
1999–2000 Beast Machines: Transformers Megatron, Noble
2000–2001 D'Myna Leagues Barry, Dave Maven [3]
2000–2006 Kong: The Animated Series Ramon de la Porta, Lex, News Anchor
2000–2003 X-Men: Evolution Professor X, Apocalypse Main role
2003 Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law Officers, Police Guard Episode: "Deadomutt"[3]
2005 The Cramp Twins Newscaster, Man Episode: "News Whale"[3]
2005 Stroker & Hoop Ansel, Announcer Episode: "Just Voodoo It"[3]
2005 Being Ian Jousting Announcer Episode: "Joust Kidding Around"[3]
2005–2006 Coconut Fred's Fruit Salad Island Bunga Berry, various voices [3]
2006–2008 Class of the Titans Chronos, Arges, Logus, various voices [3]
2006 Tom and Jerry Tales Mauricio Episode: "Feeding Time"[3]
2007 Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes Iron Man Episode: "Shell Games"
2007–2009 Transformers: Animated Optimus Prime, Lugnut, Cliffjumper, Grimlock, various voices [3]
2009 Iron Man: Armored Adventures Fin Fang Foom Episode: "Tales of Suspense"
2010 The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack Captain Santiago Episode: "These Boots Were Made for Walking (On Your Face)"[3]
2010 DC Super Friends Superman, Hawkman [3]
2010–2017 Regular Show Various voices [3]
2011 Ben 10/Generator Rex: Heroes United Shocksquatch Television film
2012 Star Wars: The Clone Wars General Tandin 2 episodes[3]
2012 Transformers: Prime Hardshell, Trooper 2 episodes[3]
2012 The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes Supreme Intelligence Episode: "Live Kree or Die"[3]
2012–2014 Ben 10: Omniverse Khyber, Shocksquatch, Cannonbolt, Gravattack, Heatblast, Swampfire, Skurd, Lord Transyl, Sunder, Frankenstrike, Joseph Chadwick, Gar Red Wind, Exo-Skull, Mole-Stache, Mallice, Thumbskull, Deefus Veeblepister, George Washington [3]
2012–2019 Avengers Assemble Vision, J.A.R.V.I.S., Baron Zemo, Corvus Glaive, Space Phantom, Blood Brother #1, additional voices [3]
2013–2014 Xiaolin Chronicles Clay Bailey, Chase Young, various voices [3]
2013–2014 DC Nation Shorts Shazam, Bizarro, Ibac [4][5]
2014 Ultimate Spider-Man J.A.R.V.I.S. Episode: "The Avenging Spider-Man"[3]
2014–2023 Teen Titans Go! Death, Ferryman, Whimsy Robin, Whimsy Cyborg, Dragon, Wizard of Weakness, Abraham Lincoln, various voices [3]
2015–2016 TripTank Police Dispatcher, Pilot, Interrogator 2 episodes[3]
2015–2016 Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! Various voices [3]
2015–2017 Transformers: Robots in Disguise Slashmark, Hammerstrike, Race Announcer [3]
2015–2017 Guardians of the Galaxy Corvus Glaive, Nova Corps Controller [3]
2015–2019 We Bare Bears Various voices [3]
2016–2021 Ben 10 Max Tennyson, Lord Decibel, LaGrange, Shock-O, Shock Rock, Humungousaur, various voices [3]
2017–2018 Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters Stretch Monster, Epsilon Interviewer 3 episodes[3]
2018 Legend of the Three Caballeros Various voices [3]
2018–2021 DuckTales Duckworth, Rhutt Betlam [3]
2018–2019 Trolls: The Beat Goes On! King Peppy, various voices [3]
2019–2022 Young Justice Vandal Savage, Elongated Man, Arion, Ryus Nereus, Steve Lombard, Kirby Jacobs [3]
2019–2022 Green Eggs and Ham Various voices [3]
2020–2022 Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? Various voices [3]
2021–2022 He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Cringer / Battle Cat [6][3]
2024 Lego Marvel Avengers: Mission Demolition Vision, Hot Dog Suit Vendor Disney+ Television Special[3]
What If...? Arishem the Judge Disney+ Animated Series[7]
2025 Iron Man and His Awesome Friends Vision [8]

Anime

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Year Title Role Notes
1986–1987 Maison Ikkoku Soichiro Otonashi
1988–1989 Ronin Warriors Narrator, Ancient One
1989–1991 Ranma ½ Soun Tendo
1993 Fatal Fury 2: The New Battle Kim Kaphwan
1994–1997 Key the Metal Idol Tomoyo Wakagi
1995–1996 Mobile Suit Gundam Wing Treize Khushrenada
1997–2001 Dragon Ball Z Recoome Ocean Productions dub
1997 Night Warriors: Darkstalkers' Revenge Pyron
1998 Eat-Man Bolt Crank Episode: "Bye Bye Aimie"
1999–2001 Monster Rancher Monol, Captain Clay, Celius, End Bringer, Moo
2000–2004 Inuyasha Sesshōmaru
2002 Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Batou
2002 Tokyo Underground Pairon, Narrator
2002–2004 MegaMan NT Warrior ProtoMan.EXE
2003–2004 Transformers: Armada Megatron, Galvatron
2004 Transformers: Energon Megatron, Galvatron
2005–2006 Transformers: Cybertron Megatron, Galvatron
2020–2021 Yashahime Sesshōmaru

Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1994 Fatal Fury: The Motion Picture Kim Kaphwan [3]
1996 Super Kid Rockpile English dub[3]
1996 Adventures of Mowgli Akela English dub[3]
1998 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie Cupid [3]
2000 Casper's Haunted Christmas Narrator
2002 Barbie as Rapunzel Hugo, General [3]
2004 Inuyasha the Movie: Affections Touching Across Time Sesshomaru [3]
2005 Hot Wheels: AcceleRacers Deezel Riggs [3]
2006 The Ant Bully Sleeping Ant, Guard Ant, Wrangler Ant [3]
2006 Inuyasha the Movie: Fire on the Mystic Island Sesshomaru [3]
2006 Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses Royal Doctor, Sentry [3]
2006 Kong: Return to the Jungle Ramon de la Porta [3]
2007 Barbie as the Island Princess Guard [3]
2007 Max Steel: Dark Rival Warren Hunter [3]
2008 Barbie: Mariposa Royal Guard [3]
2009 Up Newsreel Announcer [3]
2011 Night of the Living Carrots The Missing Link
2013 Iron Man & Hulk: Heroes United J.A.R.V.I.S. [3]
2014 Edge of Tomorrow UDF Commercial
2014 Iron Man & Captain America: Heroes United J.A.R.V.I.S., Computer Voice [3]
2014 The Hero of Color City Black, King Scrawl [3]
2015 Scooby-Doo! and the Beach Beastie Grafton Blackstone [3]
2016 Ratchet & Clank Clank [3]
2018 Teen Titans Go! To the Movies Announcer, Trailer Voice [3]
2018 Scooby-Doo! and the Gourmet Ghost Henry Metcalf, Edward Du Flay [3]
2021 Eternals Arishem the Judge [3][9]
2021 DC Showcase: Blue Beetle Question [3]
2024 Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Question, Satellite, Cardonian Lantern [10][11][12][3]

Video games

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Year Title Role Notes
1997 JumpStart 1st Grade Math Captain Hop, Spider Maestro [3]
2002 Ratchet & Clank Clank, Bob, Blarg Scientist, Scrap Merchant [3]
2003 Impossible Creatures Upton Julius, Henchman [3]
2003 Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando Clank, Hypnotist Head, Employee [3]
2003 Mobile Suit Gundam: Encounters in Space Soldiers, Pilots [3]
2004 Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II Habdazar Doomwing, Artemis, Dorn Redbear [3]
2004 Pitfall: The Lost Expedition Jonathan St. Claire, Graham [3]
2004 Transformers Megatron [3]
2004 Hot Shots Golf Fore! Clank [3]
2004 Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal Clank [3]
2004 Inuyasha: The Secret of the Cursed Mask Sesshomaru [3]
2005 Psychonauts Ford Cruller, Hulking Lungfish, Captain O'Lungfish [3]
2005 Inuyasha: Feudal Combat Sesshomaru [3]
2005 Ratchet: Deadlocked Clank, Robot C [3]
2007 Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters Clank [3]
2007 Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction Clank [3]
2009 Terminator Salvation O'Grady, Resistance Helicopter Pilot [3]
2009 Where the Wild Things Are Carol [3]
2009 Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time Clank [3]
2010 Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions Mysterio [3]
2011 PlayStation Move Heroes Clank [3]
2011 Dead Island Logan Carter [3]
2011 Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One Clank [3]
2011 Batman: Arkham City Commissioner Jim Gordon
2012 Ben 10: Omniverse Khyber, Heatblast, Cannonbolt, Gravattack, Shocksquatch, Arachnoid [3]
2012 PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale Clank [3]
2012 Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault Clank [3]
2013 The Cave Weight Guesser, Roulette Barker, Magician [3]
2013 Dead Island: Riptide Logan Carter [3]
2013 Fuse Lyndon Burgess, Scientist, Pilot [3]
2013 The Wolf Among Us Dr. Swineheart [3]
2013 Ben 10: Omniverse 2 Cannonbolt, Gravattack, Swampfire [3]
2013 Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus Clank, Stone Stonefield [3]
2014 Disney Infinity 2.0 J.A.R.V.I.S., Mysterio
2015 Disney Infinity 3.0 Vision
2016 Adrift Samuel Hocking [3]
2016 Ratchet & Clank Clank, Dallas Wannamaker, Announcer, Warbot [3]
2017 Super Bomberman R Clank [3]
2017 LawBreakers AEGIS [3]
2017 Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite Jedah [3]
2019 Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order Corvus Glaive, Vision, Mysterio [3]
2021 Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Clank [3]
2021 Psychonauts 2 Ford Cruller, Ride Operator, Strawberry, Audience [3]
2021 Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl Powdered Toast Man [3]
2022 Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway Powdered Toast Man [3]
2022 Star Ocean: The Divine Force Remington Kurtzman [3]
2023 Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 Powdered Toast Man [3]
2023 Cookie Run: The Darkest Night Darkest Lord Cookie, Elder Gnome [3]

References

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  1. ^ 069 – David Kaye on Talkin Toons with Rob Paulsen – Weekly Voice Acting and Voice Over Tips Archived August 30, 2017, at the Wayback Machine. techjives.net. December 7, 2012
  2. ^ "Tianna Hope on Instagram: "❤️ Daddy's girl. Happy Father's Day @davidkayevo you're the best! #fathersday"".
  3. ^ 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 ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn co cp cq cr cs ct cu cv cw cx cy cz da db dc "Davie Kaye (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved April 11, 2024. 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.
  4. ^ Ben Jones [@idiotstyle] (May 14, 2014). "Ben answers questions on VA roles for Shazam" (Tweet). Retrieved January 5, 2015 – via Twitter.
  5. ^ Kaye, David [@dkayevo] (December 15, 2013). "Me Bizzaro...no really me play Bizzaro.. Tales of Metropolis: Bizarro" (Tweet). Retrieved December 2, 2015 – via Twitter.
  6. ^ Bastos, Margarida (August 19, 2021). "First Trailer for Netflix's He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Series Reveals the Animated Reboot". Collider. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  7. ^ "FANTASTIC FOUR project profile final 11-11-24". The Walt Disney Studios. November 15, 2024. Archived from the original on November 15, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2024 – via Getty Images.
  8. ^ Petski, Denise (October 15, 2024). "Marvel's Iron Man And His Awesome Friends Preschool Series Gets Disney Jr. Greenlight". Deadline. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  9. ^ Rooney, David (October 24, 2021). "Chloe Zhao's Eternals: Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  10. ^ Vejvoda, Jim (December 4, 2023). "Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part One: Exclusive Clip and Voice Cast Reveal". IGN.
  11. ^ Harvey, James (February 21, 2024). "Justice League: Crisis On Infinite Earths, Part Two Arrives April 23, 2024". The World's Finest. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  12. ^ Cranswick, Amie (May 8, 2024). "Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Three trailer teases the end of the Tomorrowverse". Flickering Myth.
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