Steven Jay Blum(/bluːm/;born April 29, 1960) is an American voice actor. Known for his distinctively deep voice, his roles includeSpike Spiegelfrom theanimeseriesCowboy Bebop;AmonfromThe Legend of Korra;Heatblast, Ghostfreak, and Vilgax fromBen 10;Garazeb OrreliosfromStar Wars Rebels;StarscreamfromTransformers: Prime;Sub-Zerofrom theMortal Kombatfranchise; Tank Dempsey from theCall of DutyZombies franchise; Ares inGod of War,God of War: Ghost of Sparta,andGod of War: Ascension;andWolverinefromMarvel'sWolverine and the X-Men,Marvel Anime: X-Men,and various other projects featuring the character.
Steve Blum | |
|---|---|
 Blum at the 2023WonderCon | |
| Born | Steven Jay Blum April 29, 1960 |
| Other names |
|
| Occupation | Voice actor |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Website | steveblumvoices |
He is sometimes credited as David Lucas, Richard Cardona, Roger Canfield, Tom Baron, and Daniel Andrews in various anime and other live-action appearances.
Early life
editSteven Jay Blum was born on April 29, 1960, to aJewishfamily inSanta Monica, California.[2][3][4][5]As a child, Blum was overweight and bullied. To cope with these struggles, he would often draw, sculpt and create music. He would also often go outside and observe nature, marveling at sounds, shapes, and colors. When he was 12 years old, Blum worked at the comic section of his grandfather’s book store inHollywood, Californiawhere he would sort and catalogue titles. He was a huge fan of cartoons and would often do impressions. Blum started doing impressions by request after leaving a voicemail with the voice ofGoofy.[6]
Career
editBlum started his career working at the mail room of film studioEmpire International Pictures.The head of the mailroom offered him a job on a “Japananimation” project since he had the deepest voice. Blum would eventually become head of marketing at a studio while doing voice acting on the side before deciding to become a voice actor full time.[7][8]His credits include the voice ofSpike SpiegelinCowboy Bebop,Zeb Orrelios inStar Wars Rebels,Mugen inSamurai Champloo,Roger SmithfromThe Big O,Orochimaru,and Zabuza Momochi inNarutoandWolverinein multipleMarvelproductions. In video games, he provided the voice of main protagonist Jack Cayman inMadWorld,Captain Foley and Tank Dempsey in theCall of Dutyseries, Professor Galvez inMetal Gear Solid: Peace Walker,Ares inGod of War,andGod of War: Ascension,main protagonist Grayson Hunt inBulletstorm,Brimstone inValorant,Zoltun Kulle inDiablo III,Sub-ZeroinMortal Kombat Xand11,Hal Jordan / Green LanterninInjustice 2,Rytlock Brimstone inGuild Wars 2,and main protagonist Capt. Devin Ross inClive Barker's Jericho.
In September 2000, Blum voiced TOM, the robotic host ofCartoon Network'sToonamiprogramming block. He replacedSonny Straitin the character's subsequent appearances, until the cancellation of Toonami in 2008. When Toonami was revived on March 31, 2012, he returned as the voice of TOM. He is also the announcer for7-Eleven's "Oh Thank Heaven" television and radio advertisements and partnered withVic Mignognain the seriesReal Fans of Genius(a parody ofAnheuser-Busch'sReal Men of Geniusradio ad campaign).
In animation, he is the voice of Heatblast, Ghostfreak and Vilgax in theBen 10franchise;Garazeb OrreliosinStar Wars Rebels;Count VertigoinDC Showcase: Green ArrowandYoung Justice;Wolverine,Red Skull,andBeta Ray BillinWolverine and the X-MenandThe Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes;StarscreaminTransformers: Prime;Heatwave inTransformers: Rescue Bots;andAmoninthe first seasonof the Nickelodeon animated seriesThe Legend of Korra.
On June 5, 2012, he was awarded aGuinness World Recordfor being the most prolific video game voice actor, having 261 credited appearances as of May 10, 2012.[9][10]
Personal life
editBlum married voice actressMary Elizabeth McGlynnin 2017.[11]He has three sons from a prior relationship.[12]One of them, Brandon, is also an actor,[13]while another, Jeremy, is a teacher.[14]Blum enjoys collecting reptiles, fish and birds.
Filmography
editReferences
edit- ^"Important words from David Lucas".The Jazz Messengers: A viewer's guide to Cowboy Bebop(David Lucas explains the reasons for being a separate identity from Steve Blum).Archivedfrom the original on March 3, 2016.RetrievedFebruary 11,2021.
- ^@blumspew (August 31, 2020)."@XenogearsFei @ToonamiNews I'm Jewish. I've had my life threatened many times because of that. But most people who…"(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
- ^Blum, Steve [@blumspew] (April 28, 2017)."Wow everybody! Thanks for all the amazing BD wishes! Technically not till tomorrow, but now I get to celebrate twice! Love you all!!"(Tweet).RetrievedNovember 4,2017– viaTwitter.
- ^"Talking Toons With Rob Paulsen: Episode 53 with Guest: Steve Blum".Talkin Toons with Rob Paulsen. August 10, 2012.Archivedfrom the original on February 1, 2020.RetrievedJanuary 31,2020.Timestamps: (00:59:19) Blum states that he is 52 at the time of the podcast airing.
- ^Blum, Steve [@blumspew] (August 7, 2012)."@BrettAnthony2 Yes, why? Is my kreplach showing?"(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
- ^"Steve's Personal Story".February 6, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on February 21, 2024.RetrievedApril 6,2024.
- ^"Steve Blum - from Out of the Mailroom".November 4, 2016.Archivedfrom the original on December 5, 2023.RetrievedApril 6,2024.
- ^"Crystal Acids Steve Blum Page".Archivedfrom the original on April 7, 2020.RetrievedSeptember 18,2012.
- ^Ransom, Ko (June 7, 2012)."Voice Actor Steven Blum Receives Guinness Record for Game Roles".Anime News Network.Archivedfrom the original on March 27, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 30,2014.
- ^"'Legend of Korra' Voice Actor Steve Blum Sets Guinness Record for Most Game VO Roles ".MTV Geek.Viacom. June 12, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon October 6, 2014.RetrievedSeptember 30,2014.
- ^"Star Wars Rebels Season 4 Series Finale Q & A with Dave Filoni & Cast".youtube.March 5, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on December 22, 2021.RetrievedMarch 14,2018.
- ^"Steve Blum – My Life of Dad".lifeofdad.March 14, 2016.Archivedfrom the original on January 27, 2020.RetrievedNovember 4,2017.
- ^@blumspew (March 11, 2019)."Hey everybody! My son, Brandon Blum is a part of this wonderful production. Saw the stage read. It's hilarious, ins…"(Tweet).RetrievedOctober 19,2019– viaTwitter.
- ^@blumspew (May 8, 2018)."My son Jeremy Blum chose to become a full time teacher and I know the educational ripples he's creating will affect…"(Tweet).RetrievedOctober 19,2019– viaTwitter.
Books cited
edit- Beck, Jerry(2005).The Animated Movie Guide.Chicago Review Press. 386pp.ISBN9781569762226.
- Brooks, Tim;Marsh, Earle F. (2009).The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946–Present(9th ed.). Random House Publishing Group.ISBN9780307483201.
- Terrace, Vincent (2008).Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010(2d ed.). McFarland.ISBN9780786486410.
- Terrace, Vincent (2014).Internet Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy Television Series, 1998–2013.McFarland.ISBN9781476616452.
External links
edit
- Official website
- Steve BlumatIMDb
- Steve BlumatAnime News Network's encyclopedia
- Steve Blumat Behind The Voice Actors
- Steve Blumconvention appearances on AnimeCons
