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.
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.
Roger Craig Smith Seemingly Out as Sonic the Hedgehog
Roger Craig Smith seems to be done as the voice actor of Sonic the Hedgehog, according to one of the actor’s recent posts on Twitter. Smith posted a farewell statement today alongside the image of a broken blue heart and hedgehog emoji, suggesting that he’ll be moving on from the role after voicing the character for 10 years in games such as
Sonic Boom and
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The actor gave no indication as to why he will no longer be voicing Sega’s Blue Blur.
Welp, 10 years was an amazing run.