Nolan North is a name that is synonymous with the video game industry. With over 400 acting roles to his credit, he is one of the most in-demand voice actors in the industry. From his early roles as Sigmund in Ratchet and Clank and The Prince in Prince of Persia, North has become a household name in the world of video game voice acting. In this article, we take a look at some of his most iconic roles.
Corrupted Cores (Portal 2)
One of the great things about North is his versatility. He can play serious characters with ease, but he is equally adept at playing silly, humorous characters. The Corrupted Cores in Portal 2 is an excellent example of this. These three characters, who appear during the boss fight with Wheatley, are not a major part of the game, but North’s voice work made them memorable, especially the iconic “spaaaaace” core that became a meme.
Desmond Miles (Assassin’s Creed)
Desmond Miles from the Assassin’s Creed series is not one of North’s best roles, but it’s still an iconic one. As the central character of the present-day storyline in Assassin’s Creed, Desmond’s script was rather boring, but North’s acting was not bad. The popularity of the game and the nostalgia for the older games make Desmond an iconic character. Fans still miss his presence even though he was killed off in Assassin’s Creed III.
Remy Duvall (Mafia III)
Remy Duvall from Mafia III is a polar opposite of North’s sweet personality. Remy is an extremely evil and sick man who is the leader of a KKK inspired group. North’s performance as Remy helped to showcase his acting skills, especially his ability to put on a sinister southern accent. North was capable of bringing the villain to life through his performance.
Martin Walker (Spec Ops)
Martin Walker from Spec Ops: The Line is a character that is driven by North’s performance. Martin commits many monstrous actions while on the job, which takes a toll on his mental state throughout the game. North does an excellent job of showcasing this descent, which is the driving force of the emotional narrative of the game.
Ghost (Destiny)
North’s role as Ghost in the Destiny series was a departure from his serious roles. He replaced Peter Dinklage and brought a new perspective to the character. North’s Ghost was much more innocent and chipper sounding, which changed the tone of the whole game.
Penguin (Arkham series)
In the Arkham series, North played Penguin, a daunting task for any actor. North was able to make Penguin menacing while infusing him with the right amount of humor. Penguin fits right in with the Arkham rogues gallery thanks to North’s enthusiastic performance.
David (The Last of Us)
David from The Last of Us is one of North’s most memorable bad guy roles. David is a smooth-talking cannibal that locks Ellie in a cage with the intention of eating her. North’s creepy factor was on full display, especially during the mini-boss fight where David is trying to stab Ellie with a machete.
Edward Richtofen (Call of Duty series)
Edward Richtofen from the Call of Duty series is a playable character in the zombie modes of the game. North’s performance as Richtofen is excellent, and he brings the character to life in a way that few other voice actors could.
Nathan Drake (Uncharted series)
Nathan Drake is the role that Nolan North is most famous for. The Uncharted series is one of the most iconic video game franchises of all time and Drake is at the center of it all. Drake is a lovable, wisecracking adventurer who is always up for a challenge. North perfectly captures Drake’s charming personality with his witty one-liners and impeccable timing. Drake is the perfect protagonist and North is the perfect actor to bring him to life.
Nolan North is a legendary voice actor whose ability to make every character his own is unparalleled. His versatility and range are what make him so sought after in the industry, and his iconic roles will be remembered for years to come.
Nolan North is a true master of his craft. He’s been entertaining gamers for years and he shows no signs of slowing down. Whether he’s playing a lovable hero or a cold-blooded killer, North is always able to bring his characters to life in a way that is truly remarkable. It’s no wonder he’s one of the most sought after voice actors in the industry. We can’t wait to see what he does next.