Chuck Huber
Charles Cody "Chuck" Huber[1] (born May 8, 1971)[1] is an American voice actor, ADR director, and screenwriter best known for his extensive work in anime dubbing with Funimation Entertainment, including iconic roles such as Android 17 and Emperor Pilaf in the Dragon Ball franchise.[2] Over his career spanning more than two decades, Huber has lent his voice to hundreds of characters across anime series, video games, and live-action projects, earning recognition for his versatile performances in titles like Yu Yu Hakusho (as Hiei) and Soul Eater (as Franken Stein).[2] His contributions extend beyond acting to directing and script adaptation, notably for series such as Hetalia and Sgt. Frog.[3] Huber was born in Chicago, Illinois, and graduated from DePaul University, where he began his professional journey in theater and television, performing with renowned ensembles like the Goodman Theatre and Steppenwolf Theatre Company.[2] After eight years in Chicago's film and TV scene, including work with networks like NBC and Paramount, he transitioned into anime voice acting in the late 1990s, debuting with roles in Dragon Ball Z as Garlic Jr. and Android 17, which propelled his rise in the industry.[3] He has since voiced characters in prominent video games such as Borderlands 2, The Walking Dead, and various Dragon Ball titles, while also appearing in live-action films like Parkland (2013).[1] In addition to his voice work, Huber is a filmmaker, having directed projects like Arbor Day: The Musical, and has been involved in scriptwriting for anime adaptations.[3] Huber's career highlights his enduring impact on English-language anime dubbing, blending stage-honed skills with the demands of animation and gaming.[2]Filmography
Live-action
In addition to his extensive voice acting career, Huber has appeared in various live-action television series, films, and short productions, often portraying authoritative or antagonistic figures. His on-screen roles span genres including drama, thriller, horror, and science fiction, showcasing his versatility as an actor, director, and producer in independent projects. Early in his career, Huber debuted in the 1993 crime drama series The Untouchables, playing the recurring character Beckman across two episodes.[4] Huber's feature film work includes the lead role of Jake, a troubled hobo grappling with psychological turmoil, in the 2001 independent horror film Texas Night Train, directed by Shanti Guy.[5] He also starred as Ray Stewart in the 2008 bilingual drama The Fragility of Seconds, which he co-wrote and co-produced, earning top prize at the Houston WorldFest International Film Festival for its exploration of cultural and personal fragility.[6] In 2013, Huber portrayed Hugh Jamison in Parkland, a historical drama produced by Tom Hanks about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, alongside stars like Billy Bob Thornton and Paul Giamatti. Notable television appearances include his recurring role as Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy in the fan-produced web series Star Trek Continues (2013–2017), where he appeared in 11 episodes, reviving the iconic character from the original Star Trek series.[7] On ABC's American Crime (2016), Huber played Dean Hanson in three episodes of Season 2, depicting a school administrator amid themes of racism and privilege. His guest role as Craig Hamilton in the 2019 crime drama series Vindication further highlighted his dramatic range.[8] In thrillers and action films, Huber took on antagonistic parts such as Colonel Kashoid, a Russian military figure, in the 2016 dystopian AmeriGeddon, directed by Mike Norris.[9] He portrayed Detective Swinton in the 2017 supernatural thriller The Harrowing and Baal, a demonic entity, in the 2019 faith-based horror The Crossroads of Hunter Wilde.[10][11] Other credits include Officer Harris in the 2012 short The Mechanical Grave and Matt Turner in the 2014 family drama Odd Man Out.[12][13]| Year | Title | Role | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | The Untouchables | Beckman | TV Series (2 episodes) | Crime drama |
| 2001 | Texas Night Train | Jake | Film | Lead role; horror |
| 2008 | The Fragility of Seconds | Ray Stewart | Film | Also writer and producer; drama |
| 2012 | The Mechanical Grave | Officer Harris | Short Film | Thriller |
| 2013 | Parkland | Hugh Jamison | Film | Historical drama |
| 2013–2017 | Star Trek Continues | Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy | TV Series (11 episodes) | Sci-fi web series |
| 2014 | Odd Man Out | Matt Turner | Film | Drama |
| 2016 | AmeriGeddon | Colonel Kashoid | Film | Action thriller |
| 2016 | American Crime | Dean Hanson | TV Series (3 episodes) | Drama anthology |
| 2017 | The Harrowing | Detective Swinton | Film | Supernatural thriller |
| 2019 | The Crossroads of Hunter Wilde | Baal | Film | Horror |
| 2019 | Vindication | Craig Hamilton | TV Series (1 episode) | Crime drama |
Voice acting
Chuck Huber is an American voice actor renowned for his contributions to English dubs of anime, animated films, and video games, primarily through his long association with Funimation (now part of Crunchyroll).[2] He entered the industry in the late 1990s, making his debut in the Dragon Ball Z series where he voiced Android 17, Garlic Jr., and other characters, marking the start of a career that has spanned over two decades and includes more than 278 credited roles across 203 projects.[2][3] Huber's portfolio features a diverse array of characters, often portraying intense, brooding, or villainous figures with his distinctive gravelly timbre. Some of his most recognized anime roles include Hiei, the enigmatic fire demon swordsman in Yu Yu Hakusho—his self-stated favorite performance—and Dr. Franken Stein, the mad scientist mentor in Soul Eater.[2] In the expansive Dragon Ball franchise, he has reprised Android 17 across multiple series including Dragon Ball Super, while also voicing the diminutive Emperor Pilaf and the stoic Kibito, contributing to the continuity of these iconic properties.[2][1] Other notable anime contributions encompass Austria in Hetalia: Axis Powers, Shou Tucker in Fullmetal Alchemist, and Kurogiri in My Hero Academia, showcasing his range from comedic to menacing archetypes.[1] Beyond television anime, Huber has lent his voice to video games, appearing in Dragon Ball titles such as the Budokai series (as Android 17), Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot (as Pilaf), and Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2.[14] He has also provided voices for non-anime games, including roles in Borderlands 2, The Walking Dead, and Ghostbusters: The Video Game.[3] In animated films, his work includes Dragon Ball features like Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods and Resurrection 'F', where he continued voicing Android 17 and related characters.[1] These performances have solidified his status as a key figure in Western anime localization, emphasizing depth and emotional nuance in dubbing.[2] Recent credits include Kibito (adult) in Dragon Ball Daima (2024).[1]Anime
- Dragon Ball Z (1996–2003): Android 17, Garlic Jr., Pilaf, Kibito, others
- Yu Yu Hakusho (2002–2005): Hiei
- Fullmetal Alchemist (2003–2004): Shou Tucker
- Hetalia: Axis Powers (2009–2010): Austria
- Soul Eater (2008–2009): Franken Stein
- My Hero Academia (2016–present): Kurogiri
- Others: Numerous roles in Sgt. Frog, Black Cat, Desert Punk, etc.[2]
Film
- Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods (2013): Android 17, Pilaf
- Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' (2015): Android 17
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018): Pilaf
- Psycho-Pass: The Movie (2015): Tadao Miyazaki
- Others: Summer Wars (2009) as Riichi Jinnouchi, Fafner: Heaven and Earth (2012) as Tamotsu Kodate[1]
Video games
Books
- Huber, Chuck; Huber, Kirsten (1996). Zak and the Three Tree. Firefly Works. ISBN 978-0970266606.[15]
- Huber, Chuck; von Braun, Jessica (illustrator) (2015). The Dreams of the Invisible Girl. Hound Comics. ISBN 978-1939991614.[16]
- Huber, Chuck; Huber, Jessica (illustrator) (2024). The Three Tree: Memorize The 10 Commandments. Independently published. ISBN 979-8294438098.[17]