Marisha Ray

Marisha Ray Huber is an American voice actress, host, producer, and creative director. She is best known for her roles as herself and her characters Keyleth, Beauregard, and Laudna on the Dungeons & Dragons web series Critical Role. In video games, she most notably voiced Margaret in Persona 4 Arena Ultimax and Persona Q, Laura S. Arseid in The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel series, and Miranda in Metal Gear: Survive.[1]

Marisha Ray
Ray at WonderCon in April 2017
Born
Marisha Ray Huber

Mount Washington, Kentucky, U.S.
Occupation(s)Voice actress, host, producer, creative director
Years active2005–present
Spouse
​
​
(m. 2017)​

Early life

Marisha Ray Huber[Note 1] was born in Mount Washington, Kentucky,[3] the daughter of a mother who works as a dog groomer and a father who sells truck tires. She hails from an extended family of Louisville farmers, having helped her grandfather with chores around his tobacco farm as she was growing up from when she was around six years old.[Note 2] At the age of 12, she began acting at the Actors Theater of Louisville.[4] In 2008, at the age of 19, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in entertainment.[5] Her parents supported the decision and drove her there.[Note 3] She arrived around the time of the Writers Guild strike and so, having difficulty in finding auditions, she began canvassing for the 2008 presidential election to support herself financially.[Note 4] As the election came to a close, she took up street performing on Hollywood Boulevard by tap-dancing for a short time, before eventually moving on to full-time busking by dressing up as Tinkerbell for three years.[Note 5]

Career

Web series

Ray produced a Batgirl fan series in 2012 called Batgirl: Spoiled, in which she played the titular character.[6][7][8] In 2015, she began co-starring in the web series Critical Role, on which she joins fellow voice actors in playing Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition. Her character for the first campaign was Keyleth, a half-elf druid.[9][10] Her character for the second campaign was Beauregard, a human monk.[11] In the third campaign, she plays as the multiclassed warlock/sorcerer Laudna.[12][13]

She was involved in many of Geek & Sundry's other productions, including co-hosting Key Questions,[14][15] acting in Sagas of Sundry,[16] and producing Signal Boost![17] She announced her appointment to the post of creative director for Geek & Sundry on July 28, 2017,[18] however, she stepped down from the position in June 2018.[19][20]

Critical Role Productions

After becoming hugely successful, the Critical Role cast left the Geek & Sundry network in early 2019 and set up their own production company, Critical Role Productions;[21][22][23][24] Ray became the creative director for the company.[19][20] In February 2019, Critical Role began to air on its own channel and was no longer broadcast by Geek & Sundry.[25] Soon after, Critical Role Productions aimed to raise $750,000 on Kickstarter to create an animated series of their first campaign, but ended up raising over $11 million.[26] In November 2019, Amazon Prime Video announced that they had acquired the streaming rights to this animated series, now titled The Legend of Vox Machina;[27] Ray reprised her role as Keyleth.[28] Ahead of the series premiere in January 2022, Amazon renewed the series for a second season[29] which premiered in January 2023.[30] On October 6, 2022, Amazon renewed the series for a third season.[31][32] Madison Durham, for Polygon in February 2022, commented that "Ray has been instrumental in making Critical Role into the sprawling multimedia company that it is today, contributing as the creative lead for shows like All Work No Play, Exandria Unlimited, and more. In interviews and media appearances, the persona she presents behind the scenes is distinctly different from Keyleth's brand of awkward deference. Ray appears to command the room, regularly making difficult decisions that impact the entire organization".[33]

Critical Role was both the Webby Winner and the People's Voice Winner in the "Games (Video Series & Channels)" category at the 2019 Webby Awards;[34] the show was also both a Finalist and the Audience Honor Winner at the 2019 Shorty Awards.[35]

A Familiar Problem, a one-page RPG co-written by Ray and Grant Howitt, was released in June 2022; it was published by the Critical Role Productions imprint Darrington Press.[36] Also in June 2022, Critical Role Productions launched a new record label, Scanlan Shorthalt Music, to release original music inspired by Critical Role and the Exandria setting. Along with the label announcement, they released their first album titled Welcome to Tal'Dorei. The new project is led by Ray and Senior Producer Maxwell James.[37][38][39] In November 2022, the label released a second album titled Welcome to Wildemount.[40]

Personal life

Ray married fellow voice actor and Critical Role co-star Matthew Mercer on October 21, 2017.[41][42][43]

In January 2023, Ray was announced as part of the Creator Clash 2 charity boxing card, scheduled for April 15, 2023.[44][45]

Boxing record
1 fight 0 wins 1 loss
By decision 0 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
1 Loss 0–1 Haley Sharpe UD 5 April 15, 2023 Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida, U.S.

Filmography

Voice-over filmography
List of voice-over performances
Year Title Role(s) Notes Source
2014 Persona 4: Arena Ultimax Margaret [46][6][47]
Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth [46][6][48]
2015 Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain Diamond Dog Soldier [46][6]
Persona 4: Dancing All Night Margaret [46][6]
Star Wars: Battlefront Stormtrooper Female [6][49]
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel Laura S. Arseid [46][47]
2016 The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II [46][47]
Fire Emblem Fates Mikoto, Effie, Oboro [46]
Lego Marvel's Avengers S.H.I.E.L.D. Scientist [49]
2017 Fire Emblem Heroes Shanna, Oboro, Effie [46]
Fire Emblem Warriors Oboro [50]
Friday the 13th: The Game AJ Mason [46][49]
Final Fantasy XV: Comrades Jeanne Labreigh [51]
2018 Metal Gear Survive Player, Miranda [49]
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire Keyleth, Maia Rua Critical Role DLC [50]
2019 The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III Laura S. Arseid [47]
2019 Far Cry New Dawn Voice Talents [49][51][52]
2020 Fallout 76: Wastelanders Eugenie [53]
2022 The Legend of Vox Machina Keyleth [54][55]

Live-action filmography
List of live-action performances
Year Title Role(s) Notes Source
2010–2011 1000 Ways to Die Tina the Video Gamer, Trudie the Karaoke Girl TV series; Episodes: "Stupid Is As Death Does" and "Death On A Stick" [56]
2012 Batgirl: Spoiled Stephanie Brown Fan-made Web Series [6][7][8]
2012–2016 Super Power Beat Down Herself Web Series [57]
2013 School of Thrones Melisandre Parody Web Series [6][58][59]
2013 Walk of Shame Anne TV series [56]
2013 Chastity Bites Flashback Virgin 5 Film [60]
2015–present Critical Role
RPG Web Series [6][61]
2016–2021 Talks Machina Herself Web Talk show [62][63]
2017 Sagas of Sundry: Madness Abigail Persimmon RPG Web Series [16]
2018 Key Question Herself; co-host Web Series [15]
2018–2021 L.A. by Night Ellenore RPG Web Series; Episode: "Find My Home", Episode: "Live on the Moon" [64][65]
2019 Pub Draw Herself Web Series [66][67]
2019 UnDeadwood Arabella Whitlock Web Limited Series [68][69]
2020 Dimension 20: Pirates of Leviathan Sunny Biscotto RPG Web Anthology Series [70]
2022–present 4-Sided Dive Herself Web Talk show [71][72]
2022 Exandria Unlimited: Calamity Patia Por'Co RPG Web Anthology Series [73][74]
2023 Candela Obscura Beatrix Monroe Actual play web series using the Illuminated Worlds system; 3 episodes [75]

Notes
  1. "Ray discussing her legal name in 2021".[2]
  2. "Ray on her family history".[2]
  3. "Ray on her parents".[2]
  4. "Ray on first moving to Los Angeles".[2]
  5. "Ray on being a street performer".[2]

References
  1. "Marisha Ray | Critical Role". February 25, 2018. Archived from the original on May 10, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
  2. Philip DeFranco, Marisha Ray (April 21, 2021). "Marisha Ray Talks Being Tinker Bell, Constant Online Harassment, The Future of Critical Role". A Conversation With. Episode 50.
  3. "Between the Sheets: Marisha Ray". Between the Sheets. Season 1. Episode 6. Critical Role Productions. October 24, 2018. Archived from the original (YouTube) on April 26, 2020. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  4. "Critical Role's Marisha Ray: In The Name Of The Circle Of The Moon, I Will Punish You! | Nerdist". Nerdist. October 1, 2015. Archived from the original on January 23, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  5. "[Spoilers E106] The Official Marisha AMA Thread: Marisha learns to Reddit. • r/criticalrole". reddit. August 3, 2017. Archived from the original on August 21, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  6. "Critical Role's Marisha Ray: Where You've Heard (and Seen) Her Before | Nerdist". Nerdist. February 17, 2016. Archived from the original on January 23, 2022. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  7. "Batgirl: Spoiled, An Upcoming Web Series". The Mary Sue. August 9, 2012. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  8. "10 Batman Fan-Flicks That Every Bat-Fan Needs To See". CBR. October 31, 2019. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  9. Teitman, Ryan (February 22, 2016). "The Dungeons & Dragons Web Series Critical Role Is Flat-Out Great TV". Slate Magazine. Archived from the original on May 14, 2019. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  10. "Critical Role Celebrity Playlist: Keyleth – Voice of the Tempest by Marisha Ray | Geek and Sundry". Geek and Sundry. December 11, 2017. Archived from the original on January 21, 2018. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  11. "'Critical Role' Cast Teases More Complicated Characters and World in New Season". ComicBook.com. February 9, 2018. Archived from the original on November 16, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  12. King, Chris (October 28, 2021). "Critical Role Campaign 3: meet the characters picking up after Exandria Unlimited". Polygon. Archived from the original on December 5, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  13. McCauley, Tara (October 22, 2022). "Critical Role Fans On Emotional Rollercoaster After Character Return, NPC Death". CBR. Archived from the original on November 3, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  14. "Q&A: Matt Key Reveals Pop Culture's Deeper Secrets | Geek and Sundry". Geek and Sundry. February 27, 2018. Archived from the original on July 24, 2019. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  15. Spangler, Todd (February 28, 2018). "Legendary's Alpha Streaming Service Sets Five Original Series From Nerdist, Geek & Sundry". Variety. Archived from the original on March 5, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  16. "Meet the Cast of Our Next Horror RPG – Sagas Of Sundry: Madness". Geek and Sundry. October 11, 2017. Archived from the original on December 14, 2019. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  17. "Critical Role Cast Recommendations from Signal Boost! – Glorious Goods for the Holidays | Geek and Sundry". Geek and Sundry. November 27, 2017. Archived from the original on January 21, 2018. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  18. Ray, Marisha [@Marisha_Ray] (July 28, 2017). "Actually, I was finally able to announce at SDCC that I am now the Creative Director at @GeekandSundry! A small team works on all you see!<3 t.co/zCaHdmLQvW" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 14, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021 – via Twitter.
  19. "Critical Role Credits". The Webby Awards. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  20. "A Special Announcement from Critical Role". Archived from the original on March 29, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  21. "Why Critical Role's D&D Streams Are So Popular". ScreenRant. September 12, 2020. Archived from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  22. Hoffer, Christian (June 18, 2018). "Critical Role Teases New Content With Opening of New Studio, Twitch and Youtube Channel". Comicbook.com. Archived from the original on August 13, 2018. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  23. Phillips, Jevon (November 6, 2019). "They started out playing Dungeons & Dragons. Now they're coming to Amazon Prime". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 19, 2019. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  24. Whitten, Sarah (March 14, 2020). "How Critical Role helped spark a Dungeons & Dragons renaissance". CNBC. Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  25. Romero, Rachel (February 19, 2019). "Critical Role and Talks Machina broadcast updates". Critical Role. Archived from the original on February 24, 2019. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  26. Whitten, Sarah (April 19, 2019). "'Dungeons and Dragons' Kickstarter breaks record with $11.3 million campaign". CNBC. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  27. Spangler, Todd (November 5, 2019). "Amazon Orders Two Seasons of Critical Role's Animated D&D Series". Variety. Archived from the original on January 3, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  28. Burton, Bonnie (March 7, 2019). "New Dungeons & Dragons animated series breaks Kickstarter record". CNET. Archived from the original on August 27, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  29. Spangler, Todd (November 5, 2019). "Amazon Orders Two Seasons of Critical Role's Animated 'Legend of Vox Machina' Series". Variety. Archived from the original on January 3, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  30. Cao, Caroline (October 7, 2022). "Legend of Vox Machina season 2 and season 3 plans revealed at NYCC". Polygon. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  31. Otterson, Joe (October 7, 2022). "'Legend of Vox Machina' Renewed for Season 3 at Amazon". Variety. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  32. Cao, Caroline (October 7, 2022). "Legend of Vox Machina season 2 and season 3 plans revealed at NYCC". Polygon. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  33. Durham, Madison (February 18, 2022). "Critical Role: The Legend of Vox Machina offers justice for Keyleth". Polygon. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  34. "Critical Role". The Webby Awards. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  35. "Critical Role - The Shorty Awards". ShortyAwards.com. Archived from the original on January 23, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  36. Hall, Charlie (June 24, 2022). "Free RPG Day is back — grab these 5 great games, including one from Critical Role". Polygon. Archived from the original on June 24, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  37. "Critical Role Launches New Record Label, First Album Out Now". ComicBook.com. June 21, 2022. Archived from the original on June 25, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  38. Sheehan, Gavin (June 21, 2022). "Critical Role Launches New Record Label & Soundtrack". Bleeding Cool News And Rumors. Archived from the original on June 25, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  39. "Critical Role launches a record label to produce a fantasy ambiance soundtrack". Dicebreaker. June 22, 2022. Archived from the original on June 25, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  40. Andrew, Stretch (November 15, 2022). "New Album Beckons To Critical Role Fans "Welcome To Wildemount"". TechRaptor. Archived from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022. This product was led by Critical Role creative director and co-founder Marisha Ray, as well as senior producer Maxwell James.
  41. Geek & Sundry (April 28, 2017), Fireside Q&A with Matthew Mercer, archived from the original on November 15, 2020, retrieved May 10, 2018
  42. Ray, Marisha [@Marisha_Ray] (October 24, 2016). "Gold Leader @matthewmercer, Red Leader Marisha Ray: ENGAGED! t.co/S7hux22gHC" (Tweet). Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2021 – via Twitter.
  43. Ray, Marisha [@Marisha_Ray] (October 22, 2017). "It is done!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 27, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021 – via Twitter.
  44. Hits, Random (January 24, 2023). "iDubbbz vs. Alex Wassabi Tops Creator Clash 2, April 15 At Amalie Arena In Tampa". Boxingscene.com. Archived from the original on September 12, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  45. Polhamus, Blaine (January 24, 2023). "Full Creator Clash 2 lineup: Every matchup and tale of the tape". Dot Esports. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  46. "Marisha Ray (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on July 24, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2018. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  47. "The Cast of Critical Role: Why Their Voices Sound So Familiar". ScreenRant. August 7, 2020. Archived from the original on March 19, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  48. Kuchera, Ben (January 11, 2016). "How the voices behind your favorite games and shows are re-inventing live D&D". Polygon. Archived from the original on April 1, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  49. "Marisha Ray Video Game Credits and Biography - MobyGames". MobyGames. Archived from the original on July 24, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  50. "These actors got cast in Pillars of Eternity II after playing D&D on YouTube". PCGamesN. April 8, 2018. Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  51. "What's on at ComicCon London this Spring and Summer 2020". Watford Hertfordshire & London Review. Archived from the original on September 18, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  52. "A Critical Role csapata kevesebb mint 1 óra alatt szedte össze a pénzt az animációs filmjére". GameStar (in Hungarian). March 5, 2019. Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  53. Bethesda Game Studios Austin (April 14, 2020). Fallout 76: Wastelanders DLC. Bethesda Softworks. Scene: Credits: Voice & Music - Cast.
  54. Spangler, Todd (October 8, 2021). "Critical Role's 'Legend of Vox Machina' Series Premiere Date Set on Amazon Prime Video". Variety. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  55. "WATCH: Critical Role Performs a Scene from The Legend of Vox Machina". CBR. October 8, 2021. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021. The players from the original campaign are all reprising the roles of their RPG characters, and they will also serve as the executive producers for the new animated series.
  56. "Marisha Ray". Marisha Ray. Archived from the original on May 24, 2018. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  57. "Super Power Beat Down (series)". IMDB. Archived from the original on January 20, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  58. "School of Thrones: Alex Carpenter goes behind the scenes • Hypable". Hypable. February 21, 2013. Archived from the original on April 28, 2019. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  59. "'Game of Thrones': the high school version". EW.com. March 12, 2013. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  60. Chastity Bites (2013), archived from the original on March 29, 2020, retrieved May 11, 2018
  61. "Critical Role: Everything to Know About the Characters of Campaign Three". CBR. October 24, 2021. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  62. "Talks Machina | Geek and Sundry". geekandsundry.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2017. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  63. Foster, Brian W. [@BrianWFoster] (November 2, 2021). "Gonna pin this since I get this question here and on IG and in my chat every day: Unfortunately, Talks has been canceled. I believe there are plans for a new "after-show", but @CriticalRole would have that info. That's all I know and can share [Cowboy hat face]" (Tweet). Retrieved November 2, 2021 – via Twitter.
  64. "Find My Home". Archived from the original on January 19, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  65. "Live on the Moon". L.A. by Night. Season 5. Episode 4. September 24, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  66. Plante, Corey (April 20, 2019). "Critical Role: How Babs Tarr Brings D&D Characters to Life on 'Pub Draw'". Inverse. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  67. "Bingeworthy: 'Critical Role' Productions Edition". Nerds and Beyond. March 31, 2020. Archived from the original on May 21, 2020. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  68. "Critical Role Announces New Limited-Series Game". ComicBook.com. September 26, 2019. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  69. Granshaw, Lisa (October 20, 2019). "Exclusive: Brian W. Foster dishes on Critical Role's new show UnDeadwood". SYFY WIRE. Archived from the original on June 28, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  70. "Pirates of Leviathan Continues to Push the Boundaries of Dungeons & Dragons". Archived from the original on October 15, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  71. Radulovic, Petrana (March 14, 2022). "Critical Role announces two new series to celebrate its 7th anniversary". Polygon. Archived from the original on March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  72. "Critical Role Announces Two New Shows". ComicBook.com. March 14, 2022. Archived from the original on March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  73. "HYPE! Exandria Unlimited: Calamity Premieres Thursday, May 26th!". Critical Role (Press release). May 12, 2022. Archived from the original on May 12, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  74. "Critical Role Announces New Exandria Unlimited Miniseries". ComicBook.com. May 12, 2022. Archived from the original on May 12, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  75. "Critical Role presents Candela Obscura!". Critical Role (Press release). July 22, 2023. Archived from the original on July 23, 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.