Chris Parson
Christopher Lee Parson, professionally known as Chris Parson, is an American voice actor based in Los Angeles, specializing in video games, animation, films, and commercials.[1][2] He is best known for his distinctive vocal performances in major video game franchises, including the manic Australian outlaw Junkrat in Overwatch (2016), the loyal bodyguard Gladiolus Amicitia in Final Fantasy XV (2016), and the Assassin Yusuf Tazim in Assassin's Creed: Revelations (2011).[3][2] Parson has also provided voices for high-profile titles such as Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020), where he portrayed Stitch, and Batman: Assault on Arkham (2014), contributing additional character voices.[1][4] A graduate of the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts in 2001, Parson initially worked as an assistant in talent management before establishing himself as a versatile voice talent with over 30 credited roles across 38 projects.[5] His career spans diverse mediums, from voicing characters in animated films like Rango (2011) and The Son of Bigfoot (2017) to providing voice-overs for sketches on Saturday Night Live (1975–present), and more recently roles in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (2024).[2][4] Represented by agencies such as Sutton, Barth & Vennari, Parson continues to be a prominent figure in the voice acting industry, recognized for his range in portraying energetic, rugged, and charismatic characters.[1]Early life and education
Early years
Christopher Lee Parson spent his formative years in Kingwood, Texas, a suburb of Houston, where he developed an early passion for film and storytelling.[6] Parson's childhood was marked by frequent movie outings with his father, which ignited his interest in the entertainment industry; a pivotal moment came when he viewed Raiders of the Lost Ark at the historic Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles as a young child. His family background included Spanish heritage through his mother, Conchita, who hailed from Spain—this cultural influence contributed to his background in the language. He also credits his paternal grandmother, Connie, as part of his supportive family circle. These experiences with cinema and familial encouragement fostered his creative inclinations toward performance and media. Parson speaks fluent Spanish.[7][8] Parson graduated from Kingwood High School in Kingwood, Texas, before pursuing higher education in California.[6]Education
Christopher L. Parson attended the University of Southern California (USC) School of Cinema-Television, graduating in 2001 with a focus on film studies.[9][10] During his time at USC, Parson engaged in coursework related to film and television production, which honed his understanding of narrative development, directing, and the collaborative nature of entertainment projects. This education laid the groundwork for his transition into industry roles upon graduation.[10]Career
Early career
While a student at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, from which he graduated in 2001, Chris Parson entered the entertainment industry as an assistant in talent management. This role, taken on during his studies, provided him with essential behind-the-scenes experience in artist representation and industry operations in Los Angeles. Following his graduation, Parson briefly worked in digital artist management at Sony Pictures Imageworks, where he contributed to visual effects and digital production efforts. The position offered valuable insights into technical aspects of media creation but ended abruptly due to a company layoff, presenting a key challenge in establishing stability early in his career.[9] The layoff served as a catalyst for Parson's transition away from management roles toward voice acting, which he began pursuing around 2005 after responding to a Craigslist advertisement seeking voice talent. This move helped him navigate the competitive Los Angeles entertainment landscape, leveraging his prior industry exposure to secure initial opportunities in voiceover work.[9][11]Animation and television
Chris Parson made his debut in animation voice acting as the lead character Lil' George, along with Lil' Al Gore and other roles, in Comedy Central's satirical animated series Lil' Bush (2007–2008), which parodied political figures through exaggerated, humorous portrayals.[12] He expanded his contributions to episodic animated content in the late 2000s, providing voices for the characters Dog Ball Rider, Fan, and Head Coach in the 2009 episode "Big Ball" of the Cartoon Network series Chowder.[13] Throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s, Parson expanded his presence in prime-time animated television on Fox, voicing Charlie Sheen in the Family Guy episode "Ocean's Three and a Half" (2009) and B.B. King in "Spies Reminiscent of Us" (2009).[14][15] He also lent his voice to Michael Cera in the The Cleveland Show episode "How Cleveland Got His Groove Back" (2010), demonstrating his skill in impersonating celebrity figures within comedic narratives.[16] Additionally, Parson contributed to live-action sketch comedy on Saturday Night Live, appearing as an announcer and narrator in various segments across multiple seasons starting in the 2000s.[2] From 2011 to 2015, Parson served as the on-air voice for History Channel International (H2), delivering promotional announcements and narrations that added a distinctive, engaging tone to the network's programming.[6] Parson also provided the voice for Totts in episodes of Disney's Handy Manny, including "Bolt of Us" (2010), contributing to the show's lighthearted, educational animated style aimed at young audiences.[17] Parson's work in these projects evolved from lead roles and impersonations to more consistent character voices and promotional roles, emphasizing his versatility in comedic and satirical animation. His performances, often involving exaggerated accents and energetic deliveries, helped establish his reputation for bringing dynamic energy to ensemble casts in both scripted animation and broadcast television.[2]Video games
Chris Parson has contributed voice acting to over 60 video games since 2008, often providing additional voices alongside several prominent named characters.[18] His early credits include additional voices in 007: Quantum of Solace (2008).[19] In 2011, he voiced Kiril in Might & Magic: Heroes VI, Lars in Rango, and Yusuf Tazim in Assassin's Creed: Revelations.[20] He also provided additional voices for Final Fantasy XIII-2 that year.[21] Parson achieved wider recognition in 2016 with the roles of Gladiolus Amicitia in Final Fantasy XV and Junkrat in Overwatch, the latter reprised in Overwatch 2 (2022).[3] He continued voicing Gladiolus in Final Fantasy XV: Episode Gladiolus (2017) and Final Fantasy XV: Windows Edition (2018), while contributing additional voices to other entries in the series, including Episode Ignis, Episode Prompto, and Comrades (all 2017).[3] In 2018, Parson voiced multiple characters in Prey: Mooncrash, including Ramon Delgado, Benjamin Wheeler, and Kerry Stafford, alongside additional voices in God of War and Red Dead Redemption II.[18] His portrayal of Artyom in Metro: Exodus (2019) followed, building on prior work in the franchise like Metro: Last Light.[22] He provided additional voices for Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020), The Last of Us Part II (2020), and Mafia: Definitive Edition (2020).[18] Notable recent roles include Vikhor "Stitch" Kuzmin in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020), additional voices in Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021) and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022), and Cop Dispatch in Need for Speed Unbound (2022).[2] Parson also voiced English talent in Elex II (2022) and CrossFire: Legion (2022), as well as in the remaster Diablo II: Resurrected (2021).[18] In 2025, he voiced Einar Maia in Dune: Awakening. More recent contributions include additional voices in Starfield (2023) and Bryce Fairchild in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (2024).| Year | Game Title | Character(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 007: Quantum of Solace | Additional Voices |
| 2011 | Might & Magic: Heroes VI | Kiril |
| 2011 | Rango | Lars |
| 2011 | Assassin's Creed: Revelations | Yusuf Tazim |
| 2011 | Final Fantasy XIII-2 | Additional Voices |
| 2016 | Final Fantasy XV | Gladiolus Amicitia |
| 2016 | Overwatch | Junkrat |
| 2017 | Final Fantasy XV: Episode Gladiolus | Gladiolus Amicitia |
| 2018 | Prey: Mooncrash | Ramon Delgado / Benjamin Wheeler / Kerry Stafford |
| 2018 | God of War | Additional Voices |
| 2018 | Red Dead Redemption II | The Local Pedestrian Population |
| 2019 | Metro: Exodus | Artyom |
| 2020 | Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War | Vikhor "Stitch" Kuzmin |
| 2020 | Final Fantasy VII Remake | Additional Voices |
| 2020 | The Last of Us Part II | Additional Voices |
| 2020 | Mafia: Definitive Edition | Voice Over Performance |
| 2021 | Call of Duty: Vanguard | Additional Voices |
| 2021 | Diablo II: Resurrected | Additional Voices |
| 2022 | Overwatch 2 | Junkrat |
| 2022 | Need for Speed Unbound | Cop Dispatch |
| 2022 | Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II | Additional Voices |
| 2025 | Dune: Awakening | Einar Maia |
Other media
In addition to his prominent voice work in animation and video games, Chris Parson has made contributions to live-action television through on-camera and narration roles in sketches on Saturday Night Live. Notable appearances include serving as the narrator for sketches such as "Gladiator 2: The Musical," "Horny Little Dork," and "Please Don't Destroy: AI Sketch," where he provided announcer-style delivery to enhance comedic elements.[2] Parson has also lent his voice to English dubs of anime films, most notably portraying Gladiolus Amicitia in Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV (2016), a CGI-animated feature tied to the Final Fantasy franchise. This role showcased his versatility in adapting to the dramatic and action-oriented tone of Japanese animation.[23] Beyond scripted projects, Parson has been active in commercial voice-over work, including advertisements for Jack in the Box and Kenmore appliances, demonstrating his range in promotional content for consumer brands. He has further contributed to television promos for networks such as Syfy (following its 2010 rebranding), TNT, and CMT, providing energetic narration to hype upcoming programming.[24] In the sound department, Parson has provided creature voice effects for live-action fantasy films, including The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008), The Unborn (2009), and Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant (2009), adding auditory depth to supernatural elements in these productions.[24]Filmography
Film
Chris Parson has appeared in various theatrical, direct-to-video, and short films, often providing voice work for characters and creatures.| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Southpaw, or: What I Learned About Being Left-Handed | Self (also director and writer) [](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4008280/) |
| 2007 | Jesus & George | Khalil `` |
| 2009 | The Unborn | Goblin voice performer `` |
| 2009 | Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant | Creature voice `` |
Animation
Chris Parson began his voice work in animation during the mid-2000s, contributing to both short-form series and feature films with a range of character roles and additional voices. His early credits included supporting parts in comedic animated shorts and series, evolving into more prominent roles in major animated features by the 2010s. Parson's animation portfolio spans episodic television, direct-to-video releases, and theatrical films, often featuring energetic or rugged character archetypes.| Year | Title | Character(s) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Re\Visioned: Tomb Raider Animated Adventures | Additional Voices | TV Series (short) |
| 2007 | Lil' Bush | Lil' George | TV Series |
| 2007 | Ctrl+Alt+Del: The Animated Series | Ethan | TV Series (Episode: "Trilogy, Part II") |
| 2009 | Chowder | Dog Ball Rider / Fan / Head Coach | TV Series (Episode: "The Snail's Pace") |
| 2010 | Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore | Hep Cat / Cat Spy Analyst | Film |
| 2011 | Rango | Hazel Moats / Kinski / Stump / Clinker / Lenny / Boseefus / Dirt Kid | Film |
| 2014 | Batman: Assault on Arkham | Stout Guard | Film (direct-to-video) |
| 2014 | Yellowbird | Rodent 1 | Film |
| 2016 | Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV | Gladiolus Amicitia | Film |
| 2017 | The Son of Bigfoot | Bigfoot / Guard at Desk | Film |
| 2019 | Love, Death & Robots | Bill | TV Series (Episode: "Helping Hand") |
| 2021 | What If...? | Additional Voices | TV Series (Episode: "What If... Kahhori Reshaped the World?") |
| 2024 | ARK: The Animated Series | Sentry / Soldier / Zealot | TV Series |
Video games
Chris Parson has contributed voice acting to over 60 video games since 2008, often providing additional voices alongside several prominent named characters.[18] His early credits include additional voices in 007: Quantum of Solace (2008).[19] In 2011, he voiced Kiril in Might & Magic: Heroes VI, Lars in Rango, and Yusuf Tazim in Assassin's Creed: Revelations.[20] He also provided additional voices for Final Fantasy XIII-2 that year.[21] Parson achieved wider recognition in 2016 with the roles of Gladiolus Amicitia in Final Fantasy XV and Junkrat in Overwatch, the latter reprised in Overwatch 2 (2022).[3] He continued voicing Gladiolus in Final Fantasy XV: Episode Gladiolus (2017) and Final Fantasy XV: Windows Edition (2018), while contributing additional voices to other entries in the series, including Episode Ignis, Episode Prompto, and Comrades (all 2017).[3] In 2018, Parson voiced multiple characters in Prey: Mooncrash, including Ramon Delgado, Benjamin Wheeler, and Kerry Stafford, alongside additional voices in God of War and Red Dead Redemption II.[18] His portrayal of Artyom in Metro: Exodus (2019) followed, building on prior work in the franchise like Metro: Last Light.[22] He provided additional voices for Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020), The Last of Us Part II (2020), and Mafia: Definitive Edition (2020).[18] Notable recent roles include Vikhor "Stitch" Kuzmin in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020), additional voices in Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021) and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022), and Cop Dispatch in Need for Speed Unbound (2022).[2] Parson also voiced English talent in Elex II (2022) and CrossFire: Legion (2022), as well as in the remaster Diablo II: Resurrected (2021).[18] Credits include Bryce Fairchild in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (2024) and additional voices in Infinity Nikki (2024). Upcoming credits feature Einar Maia in Dune: Awakening (2025).[18]| Year | Game Title | Character(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 007: Quantum of Solace | Additional Voices |
| 2011 | Might & Magic: Heroes VI | Kiril |
| 2011 | Rango | Lars |
| 2011 | Assassin's Creed: Revelations | Yusuf Tazim |
| 2011 | Final Fantasy XIII-2 | Additional Voices |
| 2016 | Final Fantasy XV | Gladiolus Amicitia |
| 2016 | Overwatch | Junkrat |
| 2017 | Final Fantasy XV: Episode Gladiolus | Gladiolus Amicitia |
| 2018 | Prey: Mooncrash | Ramon Delgado / Benjamin Wheeler / Kerry Stafford |
| 2018 | God of War | Additional Voices |
| 2018 | Red Dead Redemption II | The Local Pedestrian Population |
| 2019 | Metro: Exodus | Artyom |
| 2020 | Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War | Vikhor "Stitch" Kuzmin |
| 2020 | Final Fantasy VII Remake | Additional Voices |
| 2020 | The Last of Us Part II | Additional Voices |
| 2020 | Mafia: Definitive Edition | Voice Over Performance |
| 2021 | Call of Duty: Vanguard | Additional Voices |
| 2021 | Diablo II: Resurrected | Additional Voices |
| 2022 | Overwatch 2 | Junkrat |
| 2022 | Need for Speed Unbound | Cop Dispatch |
| 2022 | Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II | Additional Voices |
| 2024 | Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth | Bryce Fairchild |
| 2024 | Infinity Nikki | Additional Voices |
| 2025 | Dune: Awakening | Einar Maia |