Gay Actors Who Voiced the Most Iconic Video Game Villains Pre-2010

The world of video game voice acting has always relied on distinctive performances to bring menacing antagonists to life. Many talented actors from stage and screen contributed their vocal skills to interactive entertainment long before motion capture became the industry standard. This list highlights fifteen openly gay actors who lent their voices to memorable villains and antagonists in video games released before 2010.

Lance Bass

The former NSYNC member surprised fans when he provided the voice for the legendary antagonist Sephiroth in the original ‘Kingdom Hearts’ released in 2002. His calm and detached delivery established the initial English voice for the ‘Final Fantasy VII’ villain within the Disney crossover universe. This casting choice remains a unique piece of trivia for the franchise as the role was later recast for subsequent sequels. Bass brought a youthful but eerie quality to the One-Winged Angel that distinctively marked the character’s first speaking appearance in a western video game release.

Udo Kier

German actor Udo Kier delivered one of the most campy and beloved performances in real-time strategy history as the psychic Yuri in ‘Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2’. He portrayed the Soviet antagonist in live-action cutscenes that defined the tone of the game released in 2000. Kier reprised the role in the expansion ‘Yuri’s Revenge’ where his character became the primary threat to world domination. His distinct accent and hypnotic stare made Yuri an instantly recognizable figure in PC gaming culture.

Ian McKellen

Sir Ian McKellen brought his cinematic gravitas to the digital realm by voicing Magneto in ‘X-Men: The Official Game’ in 2006. This title served as a narrative bridge between the second and third films in the original trilogy and allowed players to hear the acclaimed actor deliver Magneto’s manifesto. He captured the complex morality of the Master of Magnetism with the same Shakespearean weight he brought to the live-action movies. The performance remains one of the few instances where McKellen directly voiced a video game adaptation of his film characters.

Stephen Fry

British comedian and writer Stephen Fry voiced the morally bankrupt marksman Reaver in the acclaimed role-playing game ‘Fable II’ from 2008. Reaver stands out as an amoral skill master who selfishly sacrifices others for eternal youth and operates with a charming yet sinister demeanor. Fry infused the character with a dry wit and aristocratic arrogance that made the villain delightfully hateable. His performance was so well-received that the character returned in the game’s sequel to continue his exploits.

George Takei

Star Trek legend George Takei commanded the screen as Emperor Yoshiro in ‘Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3’ released in 2008. He played the leader of the Empire of the Rising Sun in the franchise’s signature live-action cutscenes. Takei brought a stern dignity and intense traditionalism to the role of the antagonist leader who opposes both the Allies and the Soviets. His commanding presence helped ground the over-the-top alternate history narrative of the game.

Rupert Everett

Rupert Everett lent his voice to the vain and scheming Prince Charming in the video game adaptation of ‘Shrek 2’ in 2004. The actor reprised his role from the animated film to mock players and provide villainous commentary throughout the action-adventure title. Everett captured the character’s obsession with beauty and his petulant entitlement perfectly for the interactive format. His performance ensured that the game retained the satirical edge and humor of the blockbuster movie.

Clive Barker

Horror icon Clive Barker not only wrote the story for the terrifying shooter ‘Clive Barker’s Undying’ in 2001 but also voiced the primary antagonist Ambrose Covenant. Ambrose is a chaotic and violent figure who serves as a major boss battle for the player within the haunted Covenant estate. Barker used his own voice to bring a disturbing and raw energy to the character he created. This personal touch added an extra layer of authenticity to the gothic horror atmosphere of the cult classic game.

John Glover

Character actor John Glover voiced the virally corrupted entity Abraxas in the first-person shooter ‘Tron 2.0’ released in 2003. Abraxas serves as the main antagonist who seeks to assimilate all programs and users within the digital world. Glover brought a manic and threatening energy to the role that mirrored the high-stakes cyber warfare of the plot. His vocal performance helped elevate the game which is often cited by fans as one of the best adaptations of the franchise.

David Hyde Pierce

Known best for his sitcom work, David Hyde Pierce voiced the erudite villain Cecil Terwilliger in ‘The Simpsons Game’ released in 2007. Cecil is the younger and arguably more refined brother of the recurring antagonist Sideshow Bob. Pierce reprised the role he originated on the television series and brought his signature sophisticated tone to the game’s comedic script. The interplay between his character and the rest of the cast provided some of the game’s funniest dialogue sequences.

Linda Hunt

Academy Award winner Linda Hunt voiced the Titan Gaia in the seminal action game ‘God of War II’ in 2007. While initially presented as a narrator and guide, Gaia is a primordial force with her own agenda who manipulates the protagonist Kratos against the Olympian gods. Hunt used her rich and resonant voice to convey the ancient power and earth-shaking authority of the Titan. Her narration framed the epic scale of the adventure and set the stage for her character’s eventual antagonistic turn in the trilogy’s conclusion.

Andrew Rannells

Before his Broadway breakout, Andrew Rannells voiced the digital antagonist Noah Kaiba in ‘Yu-Gi-Oh! The Dawn of Destiny’ on Xbox in 2004. Noah is the bitter stepbrother of Seto Kaiba who traps the heroes in a virtual world to exact revenge. Rannells captured the petulant superiority and deep-seated jealousy of the young villain during the game’s story mode. His voice work was a staple of the English dub era for the franchise and appeared across multiple games and anime arcs.

J. Michael Tatum

Voice actor J. Michael Tatum portrayed the villainous Zarbon in ‘Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3’ released in 2007. Zarbon is an elite henchman of the tyrant Frieza who values beauty above all else until he transforms into a grotesque monster. Tatum gave the character a refined and elegant voice that sharply contrasted with his brutal actions and monstrous alternate form. This performance helped solidify the character’s personality for Western audiences in the expansive fighting game roster.

Chris Patton

Chris Patton voiced the avaricious homunculus Greed in the video game ‘Fullmetal Alchemist 2: Curse of the Crimson Elixir’ released in 2004. Greed is a major antagonist who desires everything in the world and possesses an impenetrable carbon skin. Patton delivered a performance that balanced the character’s selfish villainy with a charismatic and rebellious streak. He also voiced the Saiyan villain Turles in various ‘Dragon Ball Z’ games during this era.

James Sie

James Sie voiced the demonic sorcerer Shendu in the PlayStation 2 game ‘Jackie Chan Adventures’ released in 2004. Shendu is the primary antagonist of the series who seeks to reclaim his twelve magical talismans to unleash dragons upon the earth. Sie utilized a deep and rasping vocal quality that conveyed the ancient evil and menacing intelligence of the fire demon. The game allowed players to directly battle the villain that Sie had famously brought to life in the animated television show.

Please leave a note in the comments sharing which of these villainous performances you remember most fondly.