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Cissy Jones

Cissy Jones (born February 13, 1979, in Boise, Idaho) is an award-winning American voice actress specializing in animation, video games, commercials, and narration. Her career, which began in 2011, encompasses a wide range of roles across prominent media, including video games and animated television series. Jones first gained recognition for voicing Katjaa in The Walking Dead (2012), marking her entry into the industry after years in white-collar work. She continued with notable performances such as Shel in The Walking Dead: 400 Days DLC (2013), Ami in The Wolf Among Us (2013), and Delilah in Firewatch (2016), the latter earning her the BAFTA Games Award for Performer in 2017. Additional standout roles include Lilith Clawthorne in Disney's The Owl House (2020–2023) and Andreja in Starfield (2023). Her work also extends to other acclaimed projects like Life Is Strange (2015), Grand Theft Auto V (2013), and Injustice 2 (2017) as Knockout. Throughout her career, Jones has received multiple nominations, including for the NAVGTR Awards and , solidifying her status as a versatile and influential figure in . She maintains an active presence through her professional website, offering demos in various genres.

Early life

Childhood in Boise

Cissy Jones, born Marie Clarice Jones on February 13, 1979, in , spent her early years in the city, where she was raised in a middle-class . Her father owned a small jewelry , providing a stable environment that emphasized adaptability and hard work as she observed him evolve his operations in response to changing markets, including the rise of the . This upbringing fostered a supportive atmosphere focused on and personal growth, though public details about her mother or any siblings remain limited. Jones's childhood in Boise was marked by access to Idaho's natural surroundings, with family activities centered on outdoor pursuits such as , , , and , which highlighted a sense of adventure and creativity in everyday life. While she did not pursue performance or arts professionally during this period, the encouragement of exploration and iteration from her family's dynamics contributed to a foundation that later supported non-traditional career paths. This stable, nurturing environment in Boise ultimately prepared her for higher education at the .

Education at University of Oregon

Jones chose the due to its proximity to her hometown of Boise and initially intended to study before switching majors. She graduated in 2002 with a degree in and . These studies oriented her toward white-collar professions in the corporate sector, rather than creative or fields.

Career

Transition from corporate work to voice acting

After graduating from the University of Oregon in 2002 with degrees in and , Cissy Jones spent nearly a decade working in white-collar positions in , including a role in at and subsequent positions at two startups, where she endured long hours and felt increasingly unfulfilled by the corporate environment. Around 2008, inspired by a radio interview with voice actress discussing her career and a related training school, Jones began researching opportunities and enrolled in classes at Voicetrax in , marking the start of her pivot toward acting. She committed to weekly training while maintaining her day job, honing her skills in character voices and performance, and within two years, around 2010, she secured representation from a in , enabling her to pursue professional auditions. Jones's early auditions included small-scale projects such as commercials and minor voice work, which provided initial experience and built her demo reel, gradually leading toward opportunities in . In 2011, through her agent, she auditioned for ' The Walking Dead and landed the role of Katjaa on her second major tryout, an experience that introduced her to writer and director and solidified her entry into the voice acting industry.

Breakthrough in video games

Jones's breakthrough in video games came during the mid-2010s, as she took on prominent roles in narrative-driven titles that showcased her ability to convey emotional depth through voice alone. Building on her foundational work in earlier projects like The Walking Dead, she voiced Joyce Price, the resilient mother of protagonist Chloe in the episodic adventure game Life Is Strange (2015), where her performance captured the character's quiet strength amid personal tragedy. This role in Dontnod Entertainment's critically received indie hit helped establish her as a go-to talent for story-focused games. Her portrayal of Delilah, the witty and enigmatic lookout supervisor in the indie exploration game (2016), marked a significant milestone, earning widespread praise for its emotional nuance in a dialogue-centric set in the wilderness. Critics highlighted the chemistry and in her interactions with lead character , noting how her delivery enhanced the game's themes of isolation and connection. Developed by Campo Santo, Firewatch's success amplified Jones's visibility, with her performance standing out in a title that relied heavily on to drive its intimate storytelling. During this period, Jones also contributed versatile character voices to established franchises, including Detective Kelsey Brannigan in ' The Wolf Among Us (2013–2014), where she brought authority to the noir-inspired fable world, and various pedestrian roles in ' Grand Theft Auto V (2013) and its ongoing expansions, adding texture to the open-world environment. These performances demonstrated her range across genres, from episodic mysteries to expansive sandboxes. The acclaim from and generated momentum, leading to heightened demand for Jones's voice in subsequent story-rich throughout 2017 and 2018, where her emotive style continued to elevate character-driven narratives.

Expansion into and other media

Following her breakthrough roles in , Cissy Jones expanded her portfolio into , leveraging her versatile range to portray complex characters in acclaimed series, while continuing to take on prominent roles. In Disney's The Owl House (2020–2023), Jones provided the voice for Lilith Clawthorne, the stern yet multifaceted head of the Emperor's Coven, appearing in 19 episodes across the show's three seasons, along with additional characters such as Dottie and the sentient Book. Her performance as Lilith earned praise for capturing the character's emotional depth, from authoritarian rigidity to vulnerable redemption, contributing to the series' critical acclaim for its storytelling and representation. Jones also voiced multiple roles in Netflix's Blood of Zeus (2020–present), including the goddess Demeter, the harpy Harpie, and the messenger Iris, adding to the mythological epic's ensemble of divine and mythical figures. Other notable animation credits include Hilde and an ad narrator in The Boss Baby: Back in the Crib (2023) on Netflix, as well as additional voices in Transformers: EarthSpark (2022–present) on Paramount+. These roles demonstrated her ability to adapt to ensemble-driven animated narratives, often involving fantastical elements and emotional arcs. She continued her video game work with the role of Andreja, a character in Bethesda's (2023). Beyond television animation, Jones ventured into animated films and projects, further diversifying her media presence. In the animated film * (2018), she voiced Julia Pennyworth and , alongside serving as the knockout female announcer, enhancing the film's high-stakes sequences with her authoritative delivery. This work marked an early step in her post-2015 expansion, showcasing her in superhero genres typically dominated by established voice ensembles. Jones's portfolio also encompasses commercials and narration, where her warm, relatable tone has been featured in national campaigns and promotional content. She has lent her voice to various advertisements and political spots, emphasizing her commercial viability in concise, impactful messaging. In audiobooks, Jones has narrated titles such as Hour of the Pumpkin Queen (2023), a to Tim Burton's , and What Is a Dog?: A Memoir (2021) by Chloe Shaw, delivering intimate, character-driven readings that highlight her narrative skills. These projects, often involving -style or genres, underscore her growth into non-scripted and literary voice work by the early 2020s. This diversification was bolstered by Jones's membership in , the performers' union, which provided access to higher-profile opportunities and protections in animation and broadcast media. By the early 2020s, her representation through agencies specializing in expanded her reach, allowing seamless transitions between animation studios like and , and commercial production houses. This professional evolution not only broadened her artistic scope but also solidified her as a sought-after talent in multimedia .

Founding of ETHOVOX

In 2024, Cissy Jones co-founded ETHOVOX, an company dedicated to creating authenticated voice models that prioritize ethical standards in media production. As CEO, Jones leads the development of a foundational voiceover dataset built in with performers, ensuring consent, fair compensation, and protections against misuse. Drawing from her extensive background, Jones positioned ETHOVOX to address the growing challenges of -generated voices in by focusing on actor-led authentication processes. A pivotal milestone for ETHOVOX came in October 2024 with its agreement with , the performers' union, which establishes guardrails for digital voice replicas. Under this deal, ETHOVOX commits to obtaining from actors, providing scale compensation, and granting performers control over how their voices are used in AI training and replication. The partnership aims to combat unauthorized voice cloning by creating a secure framework for ethical applications, allowing actors to opt into voice model contributions while safeguarding their rights amid rapid AI advancements. Jones's work with ETHOVOX extends her broader advocacy for voice actor protections in the AI era, where she serves on the and AI steering committee of the National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA). Through these roles, she promotes initiatives emphasizing consent, compensation, and transparency, influencing industry standards to ensure AI complements rather than replaces human performers. ETHOVOX's actor-owned model has positioned it as a leader in ethical voice technology, fostering partnerships that empower performers against exploitative AI practices.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Cissy Jones is married to Casey McGuire-Turcotte, a fellow University of Oregon alumnus from the class of 1999, whom she met during the university's IntroDUCKtion orientation event in 1997. The couple wed in the 2000s, after Jones's graduation in 2002, and a transformative trip they took together post-college played a key role in her decision to pivot from corporate work to voice acting. Jones and McGuire-Turcotte have two children, and the family has resided in the area since 2011 to support her burgeoning career in . She maintains a studio to better integrate her professional commitments with family life, allowing flexibility as a . Public details about their family remain limited to respect privacy, though Jones has occasionally shared glimpses, such as a 2018 visit to the campus with her children, where she discussed her alma mater experiences with them.

Advocacy and philanthropy

Cissy Jones has been a prominent for voice actors' rights, focusing on ethical AI use and fair compensation in the entertainment industry. Prior to founding ETHOVOX, she actively engaged in discussions during the 2023 strike, highlighting the risks of AI voice cloning without performer consent. She spoke on panels at events like and , addressing legal and ethical challenges, and stressed the importance of regulations to protect performers' livelihoods. As an advisory board member of the National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA), Jones has supported initiatives like the 2025 "Day of Play" event, which raised awareness and funds to safeguard human voices in . She also spoke at NAVA's 2024 Foundation Gala, which raised over $80,000 to aid voice artists through education and advocacy programs. In philanthropy, Jones supports education and arts initiatives, including participation in University of Oregon alumni events to mentor students on creative careers. She has joined gaming charity streams for children's hospitals and contributed to conventions like Dragon Con, whose 2025 efforts benefited mental health organization NAMI Georgia. Her broader impact includes mentorship for aspiring voice actors via workshops, panels, and social media guidance as of 2025, alongside co-founding The Halp Network to provide free script consultations and industry support.

Awards and honors

BAFTA and major industry awards

In 2017, Cissy Jones received the BAFTA Games Award for Best Performance for her portrayal of Delilah in the video game Firewatch, marking her first major industry accolade and highlighting her transition to prominence in voice acting. This win recognized the emotional depth she brought to the character, a park dispatcher whose radio interactions drive the game's narrative intimacy. Critics praised Jones's ability to convey a wide emotional range—from sarcasm and playfulness to vulnerability and concern—solely through voice, enhancing the player's sense of isolation and connection in the wilderness setting. Jones was also nominated for a Behind the Voice Actors (BTVA) Video Game Voice Acting Award in 2017 for Best Female Lead Vocal Performance in a Video Game for Firewatch. She received a nomination for Best Performance at The Game Awards 2016 for Delilah in Firewatch, competing alongside notable actors like Emily Rose and Nolan North, which further affirmed the critical acclaim for her nuanced delivery. Additionally, she was nominated for the Golden Joystick Award for Best Gaming Performance in 2016 for the same role.

Other nominations and recognitions

Jones was nominated for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Drama for the 2016 National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers (NAVGTR) Awards for her role as Delilah in Firewatch. The game Firewatch, featuring her performance, received a nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Character or Story Development at the 20th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards in 2017. Her contributions to voice acting were noted in fan communities and industry profiles, including her role as Lilith Clawthorne in The Owl House, which garnered positive acclaim among animation enthusiasts. In 2023, Jones was nominated for the Golden Joystick Award for Best Supporting Performer for her role as Andreja in . More recently, Jones has been recognized for her advocacy in ethical AI voice technology through her co-founding of Ethovox. In 2024, announced a landmark agreement with Ethovox, praising Jones as a longtime advocate for AI regulations and guardrails that protect performers' rights. In 2025, the featured her as an exemplary alumna in its humanities news, highlighting her career achievements and contributions to the field.

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