Standish913.com has been blessed to do an exclusive interview with...
"GARY GRAY"!
Let's get into some exclusive questions...
STANDISH: Let's start off strong. What inspired you to become a voice actor?
GARY: Since i started acting on camera early, it was really only a matter of time before I showed interest in other forms of acting. I was 10 when I got the audition for Rocket Power. The agent I had just interviewed with submitted me for it, and I booked it. It was something so cool to me, to be able to voice a character that I would have watched without even being involved with the project. After that my VO craving was absolutely insatiable.
STANDISH: With that being said, you voiced "Sam Squid" in Nickelodeon's "Rocket Power", tell us how you landed this amazing role...
GARY: My introduction into the VO world started with Rocket Power! As I stated before - this was the first major character audition that I ever had in the VO world. It was so crazy because I read the copy for Rocket Power while interviewing with a new agent. After the meeting, learning that I booked that job was like a dream come true. After booking it, I learned that I was coming in a a replacement for actor Sam Saletta. I was determined to make my own way as Squid, and I think I achieved that.
STANDISH: You voiced "Charley" in the "Clifford The Big Red Dog" legacy, can you tell us more?
GARY: I loved working on Clifford! The cast of that show was just absolutely amazing. From John Ritter, to Kel Mitchell, Cree Summer, the list goes on. I was the youngest person in the booth but I benefited greatly from it. The experience is still so unique because every member of the cast was in a huge booth at the same time. I think back to many things I've done and it was so normal to be the only one in the booth. I loved the way Clifford recorded because the energy was so great having everyone in there. I loved Charleys character as well, being really the only representation for Black boys on the show. Such a great opportunity and memory.
STANDISH: You voiced "A.J." in Nickelodeon's "Fairly OddParents", can you tell us more?
GARY: AJ is "the one". lol. Whenever people talk about my voice acting there is never a time where AJ isn't mentioned. I voiced him for 16 years. There is such a strong bond between myself and the character/show. I basically grew up in that booth. I loved working with the legends we had on that show, I learned so much - again I was the youngest person to voice a main character on the show. Going to Nick Studios every week to record such a beloved show was the most fun I've had on a VO project, for sure.
STANDISH: What's your favorite thing about being on Disney's "Even Stevens"?
GARY: The fanbase! Even Stevens has some diehard fans! I love going places and getting recognized for that show because they are usually talking about a specific episode or even a specific scene. It's amazing to engage with fans who know the material. You just can't top that.
STANDISH: What’s your process for getting into character when recording?
GARY: Well for auditions I am very much looking to figure out the character in my process. But for someone that I've voiced for a while it's different. That character becomes a part of me. I don't really have any pre-record rituals or anything like that. For auditions, you will probably catch me doing some research for what I'm about to try - but usually that's the extent of it.
STANDISH: Which character has been the most fun or meaningful to voice? Why?
GARY: The most meaningful? Definitely AJ from Fairly Odd Parents. To have a Black boy be represented in that way, is the best thing as an actor. He was a genius, pretty well off financially, both parents...these were all things that were not common when representing the Black family nucleus on animated television. I was and am still so proud to have voiced that character.
The most fun? If not AJ, then probably Teddy from Fallout 4. I modeled his voice after my Dad. :)
STANDISH: How does it feel to be an inspiration in the children’s television community?
GARY: I don't take it lightly at all. I recently had someone that I am a huge fan of tell me how much he was inspired by my work, and how much he owes to my trailblazing. It's very surreal when you think that there were only a handful of people that looked like me working in this field at first. Knowing that I was a part of a movement that allowed actors and consumers alike feel seen is something that I hold very near and dear to me.
STANDISH: Can you share a funny or surprising moment from a recording session?
GARY: Oh man, take your pick. When you have been in the booth with people for so long, you are bound to have some hilarious moments. I don't think any stand out in particular since we were ALWAYS laughing, but I do miss the cast of Rocket Power getting the giggles in the booth. We would always have to stop and regroup if it got too bad. I miss those times for sure.
STANDISH: What's on Gary's playlist?
GARY: Music? Oh man I have a VERY expansive music taste. I listen to everything from Jay-Z, to Dance Gavin Dance. My favorite genre is Blues, so there are a ton of artists like David Ryan Harris, War & Treaty, Tab Benoit, Eric Clapton, Joe Bonamassa, Blues Traveler, etc. But I love everything. I love Janet Jackson, shes my favorite pop artist. So much comes from her music and performance style. I love Kendrick, Westside Boogie, KB Devaughn for my West Coast feel. I love me some Sleep Token, Durand Bernarr, Marc E. Bassy, JID, Fall Out Boy...I'm all over the place. Mix in movie soundtracks, video game scores, and musicals too. I love all of it.
STANDISH: If you could pick 1 role, any role to voice, what it be?
GARY: Wow, I would really love a role in a popular anime. I think that's the one realms of Voiceover I haven't tapped into yet. That would be really awesome.
STANDISH: What can we look forward to in the future from you?
GARY: I have a few roles in the tuck that I can't speak on yet. But definitely just expect more visibility from me in general. Through my career I've been known to be a bit of a hermit/recluse, but since starting a family I've been more open to showing the world what makes me who I am. I'll be more on socials for sure. I also am kicking the tires pretty heavy on my own productions. From animated supernatural stories to live action drama, my company has a starting slate that could rival many studios. Right now it's about partnering with the right people and finding the right funding.
STANDISH: Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?
GARY: Owner and operator of one of the most innovative boutique production companies the world has ever seen. Loving family life with my son and wife. Just those two sentences alone make me smile and excited for the future.
STANDISH: Who are some of your mentors?
GARY: In a weird way almost everyone that I've worked with has been a mentor to me in some capacity. Ones that stand out - definitely Ms. Debbie Allen (dancer, director, actor, entertainer). I was dancing at her studio at a very young age and I learned a LOT about business, and how to teach or coach someone through her. So many lessons that I still use in my daily life.
STANDISH: Top 3 things on your bucket list?
GARY: Go back to Japan with my wife.
Produce content under my production company.
Continue to have an amazing life.
STANDISH: What are your social links?
Twitter: @GaryLGray
IG: @GaryLGray
Tik Tok: @Mr.GaryLGray
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