Lex Lang
Walter Alexis "Lex" Lang (born November 12, 1965) is an American voice actor, director, producer, and musician recognized for his extensive contributions to anime dubs, animated series, and video games.[1][2] A two-time honoree of the Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards for voice acting, Lang has voiced iconic characters including Doctor Neo Cortex in the Crash Bandicoot franchise, Ecliptor in Power Rangers in Space, Goemon Ishikawa XIII in Lupin the III, and Fire Lord Sozin in Avatar: The Last Airbender.[1][3] His career also encompasses voice direction for clients such as Cartoon Network, Sony, HBO, and Warner Bros., alongside roles as a songwriter, music producer, and entrepreneur.[2][4] Married to voice actress Sandy Fox since 2004, Lang co-founded the Love Planet Foundation and Love Planet Productions, focusing on humanitarian and creative endeavors.[5] Ranked among the top voice actors in anime and video games, his versatile performances span creatures, villains, and heroes, earning nominations from the Behind The Voice Actors Awards.[6][7]Early Life
Childhood in Hollywood
Walter Alexis Lang, known professionally as Lex Lang, was born on November 12, 1965, in Hollywood, California.[8] Growing up in the epicenter of the American entertainment industry during his early years provided an environment conducive to budding performance interests, though specific family or neighborhood details from this period remain sparsely documented in primary accounts.[9] By age 5, Lang had already resolved to build a career in performance-related fields such as acting and music, reflecting an innate drive amid Hollywood's cultural backdrop.[10] This early ambition manifested publicly at age 7, when he hosted a local radio show and emceed the Seagram's 7 Crown Golden Voice Contest, experiences that honed his on-stage presence and vocal skills in the competitive milieu of Southern California youth entertainment.[9] These formative activities, conducted prior to any documented family relocation, underscore Hollywood's role in igniting Lang's trajectory toward professional voice work, though subsequent moves to Arizona shifted much of his adolescent development elsewhere.[11]Family Influences and Initial Interests
Lex Lang, born Walter Alexis Lang on November 12, 1965, in Hollywood, California, grew up in an environment immersed in the entertainment industry, fostering an early affinity for performance.[9] At age seven, he began his career as a child actor and catalog model, hosting a local radio show and serving as the master of ceremonies for Seagram's National Comedy Competition, indicating precocious interests in public speaking and entertainment.[9] His family relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona, during his childhood, where Lang honed his acting abilities through participation in talent shows and extensive community theater involvement.[11] By high school, he starred in productions such as The Fantasticks and Cinderella, accumulating over 40 community theater credits, including lead roles in Bus Stop, Of Mice and Men, and The Apple Tree, as well as performances with the Royal London Shakespeare Theatre Company's Two Gentlemen of Verona.[11] [9] These experiences underscored his budding passion for stage acting and character portrayal, laying the groundwork for his later voice work, though specific familial professions or direct parental influences on his pursuits remain undocumented in available records.Professional Career
Entry into the Industry
Lang transitioned to professional voice acting in the mid-1990s after earlier pursuits in stage and on-camera work. His first documented voice acting role involved providing walla (background voices) for the Power Rangers television series around 1993 or 1994.[12] This entry point aligned with his involvement in the show's loop group, where actors supplied additional crowd and incidental vocal effects.[13] Shortly thereafter, Lang secured on-camera voice roles in live-action series, including appearances in Big Bad Beetleborgs circa 1994 or 1995, marking his initial principal contributions to children's action programming.[13] These early gigs built on his prior experience as a stand-up comedian and stage performer in the early 1990s, during which he honed impersonations at venues like The Comedy Store while attending college. By 2002, Lang described himself as having approximately seven years in voice acting, confirming a professional start in the mid-1990s.[14] This period represented a shift from general acting to specialized voice work, facilitated by Los Angeles' proximity to animation and tokusatsu dubbing studios, though Lang noted the transition required persistence amid competition from established performers.[12]Breakthrough Roles and Collaborations
Lang's entry into prominent voice acting came through his contributions to Saban Entertainment's live-action tokusatsu adaptations, beginning with loop group work and minor voices around 1994–1995.[13] His first credited antagonist role was Rygog, a robotic general, in Power Rangers Turbo (1997), marking his initial collaboration with the franchise's production team, including voice director Paul Schrier. This led directly to voicing Ecliptor, the formidable and conflicted second-in-command to Astronema, in Power Rangers in Space (1998), a 43-episode season where the character's 38 appearances highlighted Lang's range in delivering authoritative, gravelly tones amid high-stakes battles against the Ranger team.[15] Ecliptor's portrayal, involving coordination with suit performers and effects teams, solidified Lang's reputation in children's action programming, with the role spanning key arcs like the destruction of Dark Specter's forces. Expanding into anime dubbing, Lang collaborated with ADV Films on early 2000s projects, voicing Sanosuke Sagara, the hot-tempered fighter, in the English dub of Rurouni Kenshin (released 2003–2004 for the TV series), a role requiring dynamic interplay with leads like Richard Hayatzuka as Kenshin Himura across 95 episodes. This breakthrough in Western anime exposure followed smaller dubs like Battle Athletes Victory (1998), where he lent voices to supporting athletes, and preceded Genjo Sanzo in Saiyuki Reload (2003), partnering with voice actors such as Bob Marx in ensemble adaptations of manga narratives.[16] These roles, often recorded in group sessions emphasizing synchronized action and emotional depth, positioned Lang as a go-to talent for tough, sword-wielding protagonists in period dramas.[3] In video games, Lang's collaboration with developer Traveller's Tales yielded his casting as Dr. Neo Cortex in Crash Twinsanity (2004), a mad scientist villain in the Crash Bandicoot series reboot, involving motion capture and dialogue syncing with platforming antics alongside co-stars like Crash (voiced by Louis Chirillo). This marked a pivot to gaming prominence, building on prior minor parts like Star Trek: Elite Force II (2003), and led to recurring Cortex appearances in over a dozen titles through 2020, collaborating with teams at Naughty Dog and Activision on iterative character development.[6]Directing and Production Work
Lex Lang has primarily contributed to the entertainment industry as a voice director, overseeing dubbing sessions for anime, animation, and video games, in addition to select production roles in music for anime soundtracks. His directing work involves guiding voice actors to match the emotional and tonal requirements of original Japanese performances, often for studios like Bang Zoom! Entertainment.[1] He has directed dubs for clients including Cartoon Network, Sony, and Warner Bros., emphasizing precise character interpretation in English-language adaptations.[1] Notable directing credits include serving as voice director for the 12-episode first season of Aldnoah.Zero (2014–2015), where he also voiced the character Cruhteo.[17] [18] He directed the English dub for Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans (2015), contributing to its mecha anime adaptation.[1] Additional anime projects under his voice direction encompass Aldnoah.Zero Part 2 (2015), Babel II: Beyond Infinity (2001), éX-Driver (2000), Fafner in the Azure (2004), Mirage of Blaze (2002–2003), and Case Closed: Zero the Enforcer (2016 film).[18] [19] For video games, Lang acted as English voice director for Earth Defense Force 2017 (2006).[18] In production capacities, Lang served as theme song producer for the opening and first ending themes of Magic Knight Rayearth (1994 TV series), handling musical elements for the English release.[18] He also functioned as ADR (automated dialogue replacement) director for episodes 3–4 of the Idol Project OVA (1995).[18] These roles highlight his involvement in both creative oversight and technical production aspects of dubbed content, though his output remains more limited compared to his extensive voice acting portfolio.[20]Notable Roles and Contributions
Anime and Dubbing
Lex Lang has contributed extensively to English-language dubbing for anime, beginning in the late 1990s with roles in foundational series and continuing into contemporary productions. His work spans major studios like Animaze and Bang Zoom! Entertainment, where he has voiced protagonists, antagonists, and supporting characters across genres including action, shōnen, and mecha.[18] Lang's performances often emphasize gravelly, authoritative tones suited to tough or stoic figures, earning recognition in fan communities for authenticity in capturing character essences.[3] One of his earliest and most iconic roles is Sanosuke Sagara, the brash fighter wielding a massive zanbatō in Rurouni Kenshin (TV series, 1996–1998), which helped establish his presence in Western anime fandom during the medium's growing popularity in the U.S.[18] He also portrays the silent, katana-wielding samurai Goemon Ishikawa XIII in multiple entries of the Lupin III franchise, including adaptations from the 1970s manga onward, bringing a disciplined intensity to the thief gang's honorable member.[18] In more recent years, Lang voiced Suguru Geto, the complex sorcerer and antagonist in Jujutsu Kaisen (TV series, 2020–present), delivering a nuanced portrayal of ideological fervor and power.[18] Other prominent credits include Flashy Flash, the swift ninja hero in One Punch Man (TV series, 2015), and Ryosuke Takahashi, the strategic racer in Initial D (TV series, 1998).[18]| Character | Series | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Sanosuke Sagara | Rurouni Kenshin (TV) | 1996–1998 |
| Goemon Ishikawa XIII | Lupin III (various) | 1971–present |
| Suguru Geto | Jujutsu Kaisen (TV) | 2020–present |
| Flashy Flash | One Punch Man (TV) | 2015 |
| Ryosuke Takahashi | Initial D (TV) | 1998 |
| Marechiyo Omaeda | Bleach (TV) | 2004–2012 |
| Hayate Gekko | Naruto (TV) | 2002–2007 |
| WarGreymon | Digimon Adventure (TV) | 1999–2000 |
Animation and Television
Lex Lang has contributed voice work to various Western animated series and live-action television programs, frequently portraying antagonists, mechanical entities, and additional characters in superhero, sci-fi, and adventure genres. His performances often emphasize gravelly, authoritative tones suited to villains and authoritative figures.[3][1] In the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005–2008), Lang voiced the adult Sozin, the Fire Lord whose policies and comet-enhanced assault on the Air Nomads sparked the century-long war central to the series' backstory, appearing in the episode "The Avatar and the Fire Lord."[21][22] Lang's television voice roles in the Power Rangers franchise include Ecliptor, the cybernetic enforcer and devoted servant to Astronema in Power Rangers in Space (1998), as well as Rygog, a machine beast general, and the Liarian exile Lerigot in Power Rangers Turbo (1997). He also provided uncredited voices for entities like the Ghost of Darkness in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1995) and Louie Kaboom in Power Rangers Zeo (1996).[23][24] In DC Comics-related animation, Lang voiced multiple supervillains across series such as Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2008–2011), including Clayface, Metallo, Captain Cold, and Captain Atom, as well as appearances in Justice League and Legion of Super Heroes. For Marvel properties, he portrayed Doctor Doom in The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes (2010–2012).[25][6] Other notable animation credits include Barry, the cynical doorman, in Regular Show (2010–2017), for which Lang received a Daytime Emmy Award; Professor Bedlam (also known as Bedhety) in Tutenstein (2003–2008), earning him another Emmy in 2004; and Ronnie Lox in episodes of ChalkZone (2002–2008). In live-action series like Constantine, The Flash, and Legends of Tomorrow, he supplied voices for creatures and demons.[1][26][27] Lang extended his animation work to Star Wars: Resistance (2018–2020), voicing Major Vonreg, a First Order pilot, alongside stormtrooper variants. His recurring additional voices appear in family-oriented series like Curious George (2006–present).[28][29]Video Games
Lex Lang has voiced characters in over 140 video games, often providing additional voices for major titles across franchises such as Mass Effect, Star Wars, Final Fantasy, and Dragon Age, spanning from 2003 to 2025.[6] His contributions include both named characters and uncredited supporting roles in AAA releases like God of War (2018), Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (2019), and Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020).[3] Lang's most prominent video game role is Dr. Neo Cortex, the primary antagonist in the Crash Bandicoot series, which he has voiced since 2004 in titles including Crash Twinsanity, Crash Tag Team Racing, Crash of the Titans, Crash: Mind Over Mutant, the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy (2017), and Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time (2020).[30][31] This portrayal, marking 20 years by 2024, features a distinctive mad-scientist cadence that has become synonymous with the character in later entries.[32] Other notable roles include Kil'jaeden, a key demon lord, in World of Warcraft: Legion (2016); the undead pirate Grim Creeper in the Skylanders series, such as Skylanders: SuperChargers (2015); Torvald in Evolve (2015); Spyglass in Titanfall (2014); and Dr. Doom in Marvel Heroes (2013).[33][34][6] He also voiced Leatherface in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (2023) and Han Solo in Star Wars: Battlefront II (2005).[35][36]| Game Title | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy | 2017 | Dr. Neo Cortex, Opening Announcer[31] |
| World of Warcraft: Legion | 2016 | Kil'jaeden[33] |
| Skylanders: SuperChargers | 2015 | Grim Creeper[34] |
| The Texas Chain Saw Massacre | 2023 | Leatherface[35] |
Live-Action and Film Appearances
Lex Lang has occasionally contributed voice performances to live-action television productions, particularly in tokusatsu-style series where he voiced robotic and monstrous antagonists. In VR Troopers (1994), he provided the voice for the robot Tropedobot. His most prominent live-action TV role came in Power Rangers in Space (1998), where he voiced Ecliptor, Astronema's loyal second-in-command and a recurring villain enhanced with cybernetic upgrades.[15] Lang also voiced Rygog, a mechanical henchman, in Power Rangers Turbo (1997), and Zen-Aku, a ancient wolf-like spirit warrior, in Power Rangers Wild Force (2002).[37] These roles leveraged his vocal range for non-human characters, aligning with the franchise's emphasis on practical effects and suitmation.[23] In live-action films, Lang's contributions have primarily involved uncredited or additional voice work, often as part of ADR loop groups providing sounds for creatures, primates, and background elements in science fiction and action blockbusters. He served as a primary primate voice actor for Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014), supplying vocalizations for the motion-captured ape characters amid the film's post-apocalyptic human-ape conflict.[38] For Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), he delivered additional voices, enhancing the film's ensemble of stormtroopers and imperial forces.[39] Lang's loop group participation extends to other major releases, including creature voices in Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Iron Man 3 (2013), and Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), where his performances supported CGI-enhanced action sequences without on-screen attribution.[40] He also narrated the documentary Ukraine on Fire (2016), offering a voiceover perspective on geopolitical events in Ukraine.[39]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | VR Troopers | Tropedobot (voice) | TV series; robot antagonist |
| 1997 | Power Rangers Turbo | Rygog (voice) | TV series; mechanical minion |
| 1998 | Power Rangers in Space | Ecliptor (voice) | TV series; cybernetic warrior |
| 2002 | Power Rangers Wild Force | Zen-Aku (voice) | TV series; spirit duke |
| 2014 | Dawn of the Planet of the Apes | Primate voices | Film; ADR loop group for apes |
| 2016 | Rogue One: A Star Wars Story | Additional voices | Film; imperial elements |