VO Atlanta Insights: Voice Acting with Maurice LaMarche
Updated: Oct 1
A Gathering of Voices in Atlanta
It's often said, "Don't meet your heroes." I found the exception to that rule!
In 2024, I spoke at VO Atlanta, an annual conference dedicated to the craft that brings together talent from across the globe. it's a place where voice actors of all experience levels converge to share knowledge, insights, and, of course, talking for money.
Keynote Insights from a Legendary Voice
That year, the keynote speaker was Maurice LaMarche. You may not know the name, but I know you know the voice! From Toucan Sam in Fruit Loops commercials to Brain from Pinky and the Brain, to many characters on Futurama, Maurice's vocal range is legendary.
The Gym Encounter
I hit the gym each morning during the conference to get in some cardio. One morning, I met Maurice in the elevator, both of us headed to the gym, only to find that some of the treadmills were out of order. He had to run back upstairs for something so i held last working treadmill for him.
Treadmill Courtesy and Unexpected Requests
After our workouts, Maurice thanked me for the treadmill courtesy, sparking a conversation that revealed another connection between us; I had voiced Inspector Gadget in a recent video game. Maurice, having voiced Chief Quimby in the original cartoon, said, "I've met all the Gadgets!" Then he asked to hear my Inspector Gadget voice. He said I sounded great, but I'd like to think no matter how I sounded he would have given me a compliment.
A Voiceover Revelation
We continued to chat, and I told about the about the video game "Mad Time Party," which involved a time-traveling mishap with Inspector Gadget's ancestors. Maurice me that he had voiced all the Gadgets in the episode of the cartoon that the video game was based on! I assumed it was Don Adams.
A Moment of Fanboy Fantasy
I'm no fanboy, but I couldn't help but fantasize about sharing the stage with Maurice for a performance. While that dream didn't come true, the encounter itself was a highlight of the conference, a testament to the genuine kindness that exists within the voiceover community.
The Joy of Meeting Your Heroes
My experience at VO Atlanta, particularly the interaction with Maurice LaMarche, was a reminder of the excitement and fulfillment that comes from meeting your heroes, and finding out they're as gracious and personable as you'd hoped. It's encounters like these that make the voiceover industry not just a profession, but a community where voices, characters, and the people behind them truly come to life.
Want more?
Thanks For Reading!
To learn more about me, hear some samples, or download my demos, just go to www.tomdheere.com.
Tom Dheere is a voice actor with over 25 years of experience narrating just about every type of voiceover you can think of. He also helps other voice talents navigate the voiceover industry as the VO Strategist. When not voicing or talking about voicing, he produces the sci-fi comic book Agent 1.22.
Comments