After 10 Years in the Role
When it comes to long-standing characters, it isn’t uncommon to see multiple voice actors don the role. This has been the case for many characters over the decade including Sonic the Hedgehog, who for the last 10 years has been voiced by Roger Craig Smith.
Smith first took over the role in 2010 for the Xbox 360 Kinect exclusive, Sonic Free Riders, and the Wii exclusive, Sonic Colors. Since then Smith has been the voice of the speedy blue hedgehog in Sonic Generations, Sonic Lost World, Sonic Forces, the Sonic & Mario at the Olympic Games series, the Sonic Boom series, Super Smash Brothers 4 and Ultimate, and more. He even voiced the character for its little cameo in Wreck-It Ralph. Basically, if you’re heard Sonic speak over the past 10 years, it was almost certainly the work of Roger Craig Smith.
Sega confirm the departure of long time Sonic the Hedgehog voice actor Welp, 10 years was an amazing run. Onward to new zones!
Sonic the Hedgehog. Credit: Sega
Sonic the Hedgehog’s voice actor for the last ten years, Roger Craig Smith will no longer be voicing the character, Sega have confirmed.
Roger Craig Smith that he was leaving the role via a post on Twitter on Jan 28. Posting along with an image of a broken heart, Smith said “Welp, 10 years was an amazing run. Onward to new zones! Much love to the fans who’ve been so kind.”
Welp, 10 years was an amazing run.
Sonic The Hedgehog Voice Actor Roger Craig Smith Departs Role
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Announced via Roger Craig Smith’s Twitter earlier today, the prolific voice actor’s 10-year-run as the voice of Sonic the Hedgehog has come to an end. A Sega rep tells
Kotaku the company will “always be thankful to Roger for his contribution to the franchise.”
The official Sonic Twitter also posted about Smith’s departure.
For over 10 years, Roger Craig Smith has been an integral part of the SEGA family. He brought the voice of Sonic to life, and we are forever grateful for his never-ending enthusiasm in helping the community and spreading joy.
Thank you, Roger, for all you’ve done for Sonic.
I’ve run the entire gauntlet of Sonic VAs, from Jaleel White’s 90s PSAs to Roger Craig Smith, who’s been voicing the character since 2010, starting with
Sonic Free Riders and
Sonic Colors.
Admittedly, I was wholeheartedly amused with the idea of boulder punch Chris Redfield being Sonic, but Smith offered a real charm to the character and I feel like every take he had for Sonic got better and better throughout his tenure.
Sonic s had a lot of English voice actors over the years across various media, and everybody has a favorite… and, because the Sonic fandom seems to attract weirdoes like flies to honey, some are very, veryvocal about their preferred Sonic. (For the curious, his Japanese
voice actor,
For over 10 years,
Roger Craig Smith has been an integral part of the
SEGA family. He brought the voice of Sonic to life, and we are forever grateful for his never-ending enthusiasm in helping the community and spreading joy.
Thank you, Roger, for all you ve done for Sonic. Sonic the Hedgehog (@sonic hedgehog) January 28, 2021