Justin Roiland

Mark Justin Roiland (born February 21, 1980) is an American voice actor, animator, writer, producer, and director. He is best known as the co-creator of Adult Swim's animated sitcom Rick and Morty, for which he formerly voiced the protagonists Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith, and as the co-creator of Hulu's Solar Opposites, in which he voiced the main character, Korvo, until both networks severed ties with him in 2023.[2][3] He had also played Earl of Lemongrab on Adventure Time, Blendin Blandin on Gravity Falls, and Oscar on Fish Hooks. He founded the animation studio Justin Roiland's Solo Vanity Card Productions! and the video game studio Squanch Games, though he resigned from the latter in 2023.

Justin Roiland
Roiland at the Raleigh Supercon in July 2017
Born
Mark Justin Roiland[1]

(1980-02-21) February 21, 1980
Manteca, California, U.S.
EducationModesto Junior College
Occupations
  • Voice actor
  • animator
  • writer
  • producer
  • director
Years active2004–present

In early 2023, Roiland was dismissed from most of the companies he was working with due to accusations of domestic violence and abuse. The charges were later dismissed due to insufficient evidence, but in September 2023, new allegations of sexual assault were reported against him.[4]

Early life

Roiland was born and raised in Manteca, California.[5] He attended Sierra High School up until the first quarter of his senior year and then transferred to Manteca High School for the remainder of his senior year, graduating in 1998.[6] After high school, he attended Modesto Junior College in Modesto, California.[7] Roiland is dyslexic.[8] In a 2015 podcast interview, Roiland alleged that he was sexually assaulted by a cousin at age 7.[9]

Career
Roiland in 2010

Roiland got involved with Channel101, an L.A. media collective started by Dan Harmon and Rob Schrab, where he made and acted in numerous movie shorts (such as 2 Girls One Cup: The Show, House of Cosbys and a small role as musician Christopher Cross in the series Yacht Rock) and in the VH1 television show Acceptable TV.[10][11] He appeared regularly on The Sarah Silverman Program on Comedy Central as "Blonde Craig".[12][13] From 2010 to 2016, he co-hosted The Grandma's Virginity Podcast with future Rick and Morty writer, Ryan Ridley, and future Steven Universe producer, Jackie Buscarino.[14]

Roiland at the 2015 XOXO festival

In 2012, Adult Swim approached Harmon to produce a new animated series for their network. Harmon approached Roiland and together, they created Rick and Morty (based on Roiland's previous work for Channel 101, "The Real Animated Adventures of Doc and Mharti") which debuted in 2013 to widespread acclaim. The show quickly grew a fan community as audiences praised the show for its unique storytelling and incorporation of science fiction elements. Between 2013 and 2022, Roiland voiced Rick Sanchez and his grandson Morty Smith. In addition to the voice work, Roiland served as a co-writer and executive producer alongside Dan Harmon.[15][16] By the end of season 1, Rick and Morty became one of the most successful shows Adult Swim ever produced.[17] The success of the show spearheaded an entire franchise, with various themed merchandise being produced and sold. In addition to the show, an app called "Pocket Mortys" was created. On August 25, 2016, Roiland launched virtual reality studio Squanchtendo, a portmanteau of the company Nintendo and Rick and Morty character Squanchy.[18] It was later renamed to Squanch Games.[16][19] Its first full-length title, Accounting+, made in collaboration with William Pugh's studio, was released for PSVR on December 19, 2017.[20]

In January 2021, Roiland offered over a dozen artworks in his first NFT art collection, titled "The Best I Could Do". His highest-selling piece was by his Simpsons homage The Smintons, sold at $290,100. The collection sold for a total of $1.65 million.[21] Roiland also sold his first painting, titled mypeoplefriend, via auction by Sotheby's in July 2021.[22] On October 31, 2022, Roiland released a generative NFT project named "Art Gobblers" with Paradigm Ventures.

Controversies

Accusations of violence and abuse

In August 2020, Roiland was arrested and charged with felony domestic battery and false imprisonment in Orange County, California, in connection with an alleged incident in January 2020 involving an unnamed woman he was reportedly dating at the time: the charges were later found during the relevant legal proceedings to be baseless[23] and subsequently dropped due to a lack of evidence.[24] Roiland was released on bail after pleading not guilty, and a pre-trial hearing was scheduled for April 27, 2023.[25] Knowledge of these events was not publicised until NBC News reported on the matter in January 2023.[26][27]

After the charges were announced, multiple people came forward with their own allegations of abuse by Roiland in the #MeToo movement, including claims on Twitter of predatory behavior towards minors.[28][29] Accusations involving adults include a private message he sent to musician Allie Goertz, who was at the time working on a Rick and Morty concept album, and said "Can you write a song about 9 Dick's [sic] of different sized [sic] and ethnic origins hanging above your face, and then in the lyrics describe how they each splatter you with semen."[30] He was also accused of sexual harassment of a female writer on the third season of Rick and Morty and other uncomfortable behavior in the workplace; these claims were formally investigated by Cartoon Network and Adult Swim in 2020.[30][31]

Adult Swim announced later that month that Roiland had been dismissed from Rick and Morty, and that his roles would be recast for future seasons.[2] Squanch Games affirmed that Roiland had resigned from the company on January 16, 2023, in the wake of the Adult Swim news.[32] On January 25, 20th Television Animation confirmed that he had also been removed from Solar Opposites and Koala Man, which will also continue to be produced without his involvement.[33]

In March 2023, the criminal charges against Roiland were dismissed due to insufficient evidence. He released a statement on social media saying he is "determined to move forward and focus both on my creative projects and restoring my good name".[34][35][36] Following this announcement, his lawyer, T. Edward Welbourn, thanked the Orange County District Attorney's Office for "conducting a thorough review of the facts" and dismissing the case, adding that he was "thankful justice has prevailed".[37]

Sexual assault allegations

On September 13, 2023, NBC News reported that more allegations, this time about sexual assault, and communicating explicitly online with underage girls had been reported, with some dating back to 2013.[38] Roiland's lawyer, Andrew Brettler, responded to the allegations and called them "false and defamatory."[39]

Rick and Morty co-creator Dan Harmon responded to the allegations on September 27, 2023, and said that he was "ashamed and heartbroken".[40]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2006 Tenacious D: Time Fixers Abe Lincoln Short film
2015 Krampus Clumpy Voice
2018 Smallfoot Garry
Seth Rogen's Hilarity for Charity Char
2019 Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus Foodio 3000, Weird Alien #1, Excited Audience Member Voice, Netflix film
2021 Space Jam: A New Legacy Rick Sanchez, Morty Smith Voice, cameo

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2004 Cheap Seats without Ron Parker Rhonda's Son Episode: "1973 Superstars"
2007 Acceptable.TV Mr. Sprinkles, various Also director, writer and executive producer
2007–2010 The Sarah Silverman Program Blonde Craig, Chant Leader 8 episodes
2010–2014 Fish Hooks Oscar Fishtooth Voice, also writer
2011–2018 Adventure Time Earl of Lemongrab, Lemonhope, additional voices 14 episodes
2012–2015 Gravity Falls Blendin Blandin, Bobby Renzobbi, additional voices 7 episodes
2013 Out There Chris Novak Voice, 10 episodes
2013–2022 Rick and Morty Rick Sanchez, Morty Smith, additional voices Voice; also co-creator, writer, executive producer and director
2014–2019 The Cyanide and Happiness Show Mr. Romero
2015 The Simpsons Rick Sanchez, Morty Smith Voice, episode: "Mathlete's Feat"
Community Ice Cube Head Voice, episode: "Emotional Consequences of Broadcast Television"
Aqua Teen Hunger Force Honest Abe Lincoln's Hot Links Mascot Voice, episode: "Mouth Quest"
2015–2017 Pig Goat Banana Cricket Psychopath Giraffe, Radical Rick, Customer Voice, 7 episodes
2015 Yo Gabba Gabba! Sea Queen Voice, episode: "Mermaids"
2016 Animals. H&M Voice, episode: "Cats"
Future-Worm! General Couponocus, Mr. Clock Face, Professor Gigglesnorp, Commandant Giflington, Homework Android Voice, 7 episodes
Uncle Grandpa Ricky's Tongue Voice, episode: "Tongue Tied"
2017 Mystery Science Theater 3000 — Writer: "Reptilicus"
2018–2019 Hot Streets Chubbie Webbers, additional voices Voice, also executive producer
2018 Robot Chicken Additional voices Episode: "3 2 1 2 333, 222, 3…66?"
70th Primetime Emmy Awards Rick Sanchez, Morty Smith Voice, television special
2019 Star vs. the Forces of Evil Doop-Doop Voice, 2 episodes
2020–2022 Solar Opposites Korvo, additional voices Voice; also co-creator, writer, executive producer and director
2021 Invincible Doug Cheston Episode: "You Look Kinda Dead"
2022 The Boys Presents: Diabolical Papers, Narrator's Dad, Picante's Dad Voice, episode: "An Animated Short Where Pissed-Off Supes Kill Their Parents"; also writer
The Paloni Show! Halloween Special! Leroy Paloni Voice; also creator, writer, executive producer
2023 Koala Man Chad Wagon Voice, episode: "The Red Hot Rule"; also executive producer
King Star King Hank Waffles Voice, episode: "King Star King!/!/!/"; also writer and executive producer

Web
Year Title Role Notes
2004 Sockbaby Ronnie's Lungs 1 episode
2005 House of Cosbys Additional voices Also director, writer and executive producer
2005–2010 Yacht Rock Christopher Cross 4 episodes
2006 The Real Animated Adventures of Doc and Mharti Doc Smith, Mharti McDonhalds Voice, short film
2012 SuperFuckers Orange Lightning, Vortex
2013 Friends and Lovers Captain Xandar 3 episodes
2013 Game Grumps Himself 1 episode (unreleased)
2010–2016 Grandma's Virginity Podcast 44 episodes
2016–2018 H3 Podcast 3 episodes
2017 Lasagna Cat Vocals Episode: "10/20/1984"
2019 Meme Review Guest Episode: "Will Smith hosts Meme Review w/ Elon Musk"
2021 Sand Planet Uncle and PP88 collabaration on Joel Haver's YouTube channel
2022 Half in the Bag Guest Overdub voices for Mike and Jay as Rick and Morty respectively

Video games

In August 2016,[41] Roiland set up a video game studio, Squanchtendo, which was later renamed to Squanch Games in December 2017.[42]

Year Title Role Notes
2013 Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I Don't Know! Earl of Lemongrab
2015 Dota 2 Rick Sanchez, Morty Smith Rick and Morty Announcer DLC[43]
Lego Dimensions Earl of Lemongrab
Adventure Time: Finn & Jake Investigations
Dr. Langeskov, The Tiger, and the Terribly Cursed Emerald Various Voices
2016 Pocket Mortys Rick Sanchez, Morty Smith
The Lab Various Personality Cores
Job Simulator Radio Announcer
Accounting Various Voices Also co-director and co-writer
2017 Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-ality Rick Sanchez, Morty Smith
LawBreakers Blitzball
2019 Trover Saves the Universe Trover
2022 High on Life Kenny
Warped Kart Racers Korvo Archived recordings
MultiVersus Rick Sanchez, Morty Smith, Mr. Meeseeks Archived recordings

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2015 Annie Award Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production Rick and Morty Nominated [44]
2017 Teen Choice Awards Choice Animated TV Show Nominated [45]
2018 Critics' Choice Television Award Best Animated Series Won [46]
Annie Award Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production Won [47]
Saturn Award Best Animated Series or Film on Television Nominated [48]
Teen Choice Awards Choice Animated TV Show Nominated [49]
Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Animated Program Rick and Morty for "Pickle Rick" Won [50]
2020 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Animated Program Rick and Morty for "The Vat of Acid Episode" Won [51]
2021 Critics' Choice Super Awards Best Animated Series Rick and Morty Nominated [52]
Best Voice Actor in an Animated Series Nominated
Annie Award Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production Nominated [53]
Saturn Award Best Animated Series on Television Nominated [54]
2022 Hollywood Critics Association TV Award Best Broadcast Network or Cable Animated Series or Television Movie Won [55]
Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Animated Program Nominated [56]

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