D._C._Douglas

D. C. Douglas

D. C. Douglas

American actor and voice actor


D. C. Douglas[1] is an American actor and voice actor. He played Pa Kettle on Syfy's Z Nation, Zepht on Star Trek: Enterprise, and has appeared in several soap operas, including Days of Our Lives and The Young and the Restless. He voiced Albert Wesker in ten Resident Evil games, Legion in Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3, and Yoshikage Kira in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable (2016).

Quick Facts Born, Occupation ...

Early life

Douglas was born in Berkeley, California. His father worked in sales and his mother is an artist, writer, and spiritual advisor.[2] His maternal grandparents were vaudeville performers.[3] After the decline of Vaudeville his grandmother, Grace Hathaway, performed in burlesque and his grandfather, Joe Miller, became known in San Francisco for his talks at the Theosophy Lodge and weekly group walks through Golden Gate Park.[4][5][6]

His parents divorced when he was five and Douglas was primarily raised by his mother in the San Francisco Bay Area from the 1970s to early 1980s. At age seven, he decided to become an actor after watching an episode of Hollywood and the Stars. He performed in community theatre in San Jose and Walnut Creek, and after getting his GED his Ygnacio Valley High School drama teacher encouraged him to pursue his acting dream.

At sixteen, Douglas traveled alone to New York to audition for Royal Academy of Dramatic Art -- the only US held auditions that year -- but was not accepted. Though his back-up plan was to live in New York, his visit dissuaded him from that idea. Instead, he moved to Los Angeles in 1985.

Career

Live action

Theatre

Douglas and Richard Grove in The Beethovens, Los Angeles, 1993.

Douglas graduated from the Estelle Harman Actors Workshop,[7] the only accredited acting trade school in Los Angeles at the time.[8] He co-founded the improvisation troupe Section Eight and was a member of Theatre of NOTE for several years. He produced Some Things You Need to Know Before the World Ends (A Final Evening with the Illuminati) at the Hollywood United Methodist Church, performing as Brother Lawrence opposite Theatre of NOTE co-founder Kevin Carr in a benefit for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. The production was well received and became an LA Weekly "Pick-of-the-Week." Douglas performed in many other Equity Waiver 99-seat Theatre productions throughout the 1990s.[9]

Television

DC Douglas and Russell Hodgkinson in "Z Nation".

Douglas' first network TV role was on the ABC sitcom Coach, but his three lines were cut in the final broadcast. In 1996, he landed a small role in Boston Common, an NBC pilot. When the show was picked up, he returned in a recurring role as DC, the antagonist to Hedy Burress's character.[10] Douglas' television career involved primarily conservative or antagonist roles. Notable appearances include 24, Star Trek: Enterprise, NYPD Blue, ER, Charmed, Without a Trace, NCIS, Criminal Minds, Castle, and The Encounter.

In 2015, while pitching a film project to The Asylum that would pay homage to Resident Evil 5, a video game Douglas had worked on and gained fan appreciation for, the producers were inspired to cast him as Pa Kettle in Z Nation, a Syfy zombie series, for a three-episode arc.

Though never considered for a lead contract role on the Los Angeles-based soap operas, Douglas guest starred on all of them numerous times.[11] Notable appearances include the manipulative Bellman in a 1991 Days of Our Lives honeymoon arc and two different characters on The Young and The Restless - Chad Atherton in a 1996 arc and Kurz, a crime boss taunting Tristan Rogers's character, in 2014. In 2017, Douglas made his 26th appearance on The Bold and The Beautiful over 20 years, playing his 6th role on the show.

In 2021, Douglas announced he was rebooting his acting career with a focus on independent cinema.[12]

Film

Douglas' first film was 1989's Future Force with David Carradine. Though all his scenes were with Carradine, Douglas never met him as their characters only spoke through a futuristic video conference system.

Notable film roles include a possessed ghost hunter in Black Ops with Lance Henriksen, a disturbing turn as "Dad" in Smartass with Joey King, a deranged cop in Helen Alone with Priscilla Barnes, and a harried producer in Labor Pains with Lindsay Lohan.

In 2013, Douglas was cast as a serial killer in Apocalypse Kiss and altered his appearance to resemble Resident Evil villain Albert Wesker, as the producers were fans of his work in the video game franchise.[13]

Douglas has worked with The Asylum since 2002, appearing in ten of their films. In 2015, while working on Alpha House, he bonded with the film's writers, Jacob Cooney and Brandon Trenz. Together, they developed the idea for Isle of the Dead, which Douglas pitched to The Asylum producers David Michael Latt, David Rimawi, and Paul Bales.[14] The film was completed in 2016 with Douglas as Aiden Wexler opposite Joey Lawrence and Maryse Mizanin.[15] It aired on the SyFy network.

Douglas in Drowning In Secrets

Other notable The Asylum films include Titanic II as the ship captain, Sharknado 2[16] as Bud, one of the few characters to die by an alligator in a shark movie, and Aquarium of the Dead as the clueless aquarium tour guide. In 2021, Douglas was cast in three unrelated Lifetime Network films: The Killer in My Backyard, Killer Stepmom, and Drowning In Secrets.

Producer, writer, director

In 1996, Douglas wrote, produced, and starred in his first festival film short, Falling Words. He later wrote, produced, and directed The Eighth Plane, an anti-Scientology short, and Freud and Darwin Sitting in a Tree, about Lewis Henry Morgan. In 2001, he resurrected the character 'Lance Baxter' from Falling Words and created a cabaret act covering sad love songs that illustrated his dysfunctional relationships. It was performed at The Lava Lounge in Hollywood.[17]

In 2006, inspired by turning forty, Douglas expanded the idea into Lance Baxter: Halfway Through My Life If I'm Lucky.[18] The show featured original songs (lyrics by Douglas, music by Lily Popova) and comedic monologues. It was produced at The M Bar in Hollywood and ran for several nights as a fundraiser for More Than Shelter for Seniors.

Also in 2006, his film short Duck, Duck, Goose! played at film festivals worldwide and received Best Short awards from the Seattle's True Independent Film Festival (STIFF) and Trenton Film Festival.

Fake Trump Cartoons graphic

His 2009 CGI short The Crooked Eye, starring Fay Masterson and narrated by Linda Hunt, played at festivals and won awards for Best Narration (STIFF), Best Screenplay (HDFest), and Best Animated Short (Red Rock Film Festival).

In 2016, he wrote, edited, and directed the Halloween animated short Ginger & Snapper with Rachael Leone, featuring voice actors Lacey Chabert, Steve Blum, Liam O'Brien, Laura Bailey, and Roger Craig Smith.

From 2007 to 2019, Douglas voiced Resident Evil villain Albert Wesker. As his fan following grew, he began producing fan service videos, with popular entries including anOld Spice spoof,[19] 12 Days of Evil,[20] and Covid-19: Albert F. Wesker Tips.[21]

In 2017, Douglas created and launched MSM Breaking News!: Fake Trump Cartoons, an animated web series satirizing the Donald Trump presidency and the Robert Mueller investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections. A typical episode was written by Douglas and produced by his animator, Rachael Leone. Guest voice actors have included Steve Blum, Maurice LaMarche, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, Todd Haberkorn and Mark Meer, among others.[22]

Douglas with Maurice Lamarche, Dragon Con, 2021.

Voiceover

Early Voiceover career

Douglas began his voice acting career in the early 1990s by providing walla for low budget action and erotic films that were usually aired late night on Showtime.[23] By the 21st century he had stopped doing general walla work altogether, but occasionally took on unique ADR jobs, including voice matching Guy Pearce in Factory Girl and Kevin Spacey in Fred Clause,[24] as well as voicing a TV reporter in 50/50[25] and Brad Pitt's SpaceCom computer therapist in Ad Astra.[26]

Video games

Douglas has voiced a variety of characters in video games, often being cast as low-voiced villains. Notable roles include The Master in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer video game, Albert Wesker in the Resident Evil series as well as Marvel vs. Capcom (9 games in total from 2007 - 2019), Raven in Tekken 6, AWACS Ghost Eye in Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation, Commandant Alexei in Tales of Vesperia, Legion in Mass Effect 2/Mass Effect 3/Mass Effect Legendary Edition, Grimoire Noir and Pod 042 in the Nier franchise, Azrael in BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma, Coburn in Ubisoft's The Crew and Hector Birtwhistle (H.B.) in Xenoblade Chronicles X.

D.C. Douglas with security team at Horrorcon Kuwait, 2023

Commercials and promos

Douglas was a CBS Daytime promo announcer for the summer of 2003. He has cited that job as the turning point in his voiceover career, as he used the money from that contract to build his home studio, which was uncommon for voice artists at the time. Having a home studio allowed him to leave his editing job and work solely as an actor.[27]

Douglas has lent his voice to several national ad campaigns, including the GEICO Celebrity campaign from 2006 to 2008, the McDonald's Be the Sizzle campaign from 2009 to 2010, Radio Shack's Holiday Hero campaign in 2010 and several Experian spots featuring Douglas and Tom Kenny as computers in 2014.[28]

He has been one of the promo voices for Sony Pix since 2018.[29]

D.C. Douglas recording final episode of Apple+ Cartoon, 2023

Animation

Douglas' work in animation includes the role of Chase in Hub Network's Transformers: Rescue Bots (the longest-running Transformers series),[30] Colonel Rawls (and many others) in Cartoon Network's Regular Show, Sylvus (the Elder) and Aikor (the Villain) in Monchichi Tribe, Newton in The Rocketeer, and a cameo in Family Guy as Superman.

Anime

Douglas initially avoided anime work in the early 2000s due to the low pay rates at the time.[31] However, during his first convention appearance in 2010, he saw the growing interest from anime fans in meeting voice actors. Douglas has said the opportunity to travel while getting paid inspired him to seek out work at the Los Angeles production houses that recorded anime.[27] This led to fan favorite roles such as Yoshikage Kira in the Diamond Is Unbreakable arc of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Wooden Sword Ryu in Netflix's Shaman King, Edo in Netflix's Ultraman, Praetorian in Netflix's Super Crooks, and X Drake in One Piece.

Politics

In April 2010, Douglas faced criticism from the Tea Party movement for a phone call he made to Freedomworks in which he left an inflammatory voice mail. A day later, GEICO removed him from a series of internet commercials that were in post-production.[32] This led to some debate in the voice-over community about whether announcers were public figures.[33] Douglas responded by producing a satirical Tea Party PSA for YouTube that was subsequently broadcast on both Joy Behar's HLN show and Geraldo Rivera's Geraldo at Large with Douglas as a guest.[34][35]

The experience inspired Douglas to continue creating short, satirical political videos.[36] Two of his most viewed videos were his Burn a Koran Day video (posted by The Huffington Post[37]) and his Why #OccupyWallStreet? video (aired on MSNBC's The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell).[38]

In November 2011, Douglas tweeted a quote from Brett Ratner at a Tower Heist Q&A that included a disparaging remark about homosexuals. The Hollywood Reporter subsequently reported Douglas' tweet as the beginning of a controversy which led to Ratner resigning from his role as producer of the 2012 Academy Awards.[39] (In January 2021, Douglas was permanently banned from Twitter for mocking Q Anon accounts.)[40]

Douglas has also lent his voice to several liberal political organizations, including American Bridge 21st Century PAC and the progressive research and information center Media Matters for America.

Douglas performing with CMTSJ, 1978

Filmography

Live action

More information Film Credits, Year ...
More information Television Credits, Year ...

Voiceover

More information Anime Credits, Year ...
More information Animation Credits, Year ...
More information Film ADR Credits, Year ...
More information Video Game Credits, Year ...

See also


References

  1. Douglas, D.C. (December 10, 2017). "Dear Wikipedia User (Updated)".
  2. "Betty Malicoat Spiritual Services". Betty Malicoat Spiritual Services. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  3. "Laughing At The Family Circus Of Circumstances". D.C. Douglas. October 16, 2011. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  4. "Grace Hathaway in Burlesque In Hawaii (1952)". YouTube. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  5. "The Life and Teachings of Joe Miller". Archived from the original on September 8, 2006. Retrieved January 17, 2007.
  6. "Joe and Guin Miller Archive". Theosophical Society of San Francisco. January 20, 2018. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  7. "Calling All Estelle Harman Alumni". D C Douglas Official Site. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  8. "Beware Of Rip-Off Acting Schools". Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  9. "Dude! Where's My Theatre Credits?!". DCDouglas.com. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  10. "Boston Common". YouTube. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  11. "From Young to Restless". DCDouglas.com. April 26, 2014. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  12. "It's Official". Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  13. "Albert Wesker Featured In 'Apocalypse Kiss' Promo". Bloody Disgusting!. August 28, 2012.
  14. "INTERVIEW WITH 'ISLE OF THE DEAD' STAR D.C. DOUGLAS". morbidlybeautiful.com. August 17, 2016. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  15. Stanton, Barry W (March 6, 2016). "What Happened to Joey Lawrence? - What He's Doing Now Update 2017". The Gazette Review.
  16. BWW News Desk. "D.C. Douglas Joins Cast of Syfy's SHARKNADO 2". www.broadwayworld.com.
  17. "D.C. Douglas' "Original Lance Baxter Show" 2001". YouTube. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  18. "Lance Baxter: Halfway Through My Life If I'm Lucky". YouTube. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  19. "Albert Wesker "Old Spice" Ad (from D.C. Douglas)". YouTube. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  20. "The Albert Wesker Parody Videos & More!". DC Douglas. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  21. "Albert Wesker COVID-19 Tips Video From D.C. Douglas". BHd. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  22. {{Cite web|url=https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXKV7nzZKZlWV_g2Hvx0Zjw2pBHJReae4%7Ctitle=BREAKING NEWS: Fake Trump Cartoons! {{!} A D.C. Douglas Series|last=Douglas|first=D.C.|website=YouTube|language=en-US|access-date=2021-12-17}}
  23. "Voiceover Community Focus: Jerry Gelb". DCDouglas.com. March 6, 2013. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  24. "Rubbing Voice Boxes With Celebrities". DCDouglas.com. August 14, 2009. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  25. "50/50 (News Reporter Voiced by DC Douglas)". YouTube. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  26. "Ad Astra (SpaceCom Voice by DC Douglas)". YouTube. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  27. Douglas, DC. "Experian (w/ Tom Kenny)". DCDouglas.com. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  28. "Sony Pix Promos (Voiceovers by DC Douglas)". YouTube. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  29. Crump, William D. (2019). Happy Holidays—Animated! A Worldwide Encyclopedia of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's Cartoons on Television and Film. McFarland & Co. p. 58. ISBN 9781476672939.
  30. "How Well Paid Are Dub Voice Actors?". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  31. "Geraldo At Large". YouTube. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  32. Douglas, D.C. (October 11, 2011). "Warren talks financial panic cycle". The Last Word via MSNBC.
  33. Lewis, Andy (November 9, 2011). "Meet the Man Whose Tweet Brought Down Brett Ratner". The Hollywood Reporter.
  34. "the algo cannot read sarcasm". Facebook. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  35. "BTVA)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  36. "DC Douglas (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved April 12, 2020. 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)
  37. "STAFF/CAST | Cells at Work Official USA Website". cellsatwork-anime.com. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  38. "Official Akudama Drive English Cast Announcement". Funimation. December 2, 2020. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  39. "Funimation Streams Hortensia Saga Anime's English Dub". Anime News Network. October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  40. "RYUNOSUKE UMEMIYA". Behind the Voice Actors. October 29, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  41. "Netflix Unveils Trailer, More Cast for Super Crooks Anime". Anime News Network. October 21, 2021. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  42. "Bastard!! -Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasy- (2022) – English Dub Cast". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  43. Dempsey, Liam (January 18, 2023). "The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel - Northern War English Dub Reveals Cast & Crew, Release Date". Crunchyroll. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  44. "NieR:Automata Ver 1.1a Anime Reveals English Dub Cast, March 18 Premiere". Anime News Network. March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  45. "Voiceover: Cartoons & Video Games". dcdouglas.com. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
  46. "Pascal Voice - Tales of Graces (Video Game)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved October 21, 2021. 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. "CREDIT | TEPPEN -Official Site-". teppenthegame.com. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  48. Toylogic Inc. Nier Replicant ver.1.22474487139... Square Enix. Scene: Ending credits, 22:00.
  49. "Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon (2023 Video Game)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  50. Douglas, D. C. [@mrdcdouglas] (August 6, 2023). "Look who's back... #helicopterschmelicopter #raven #tekken8 #voiceover #actorslife". Retrieved August 7, 2023 via Instagram.
  51. Nordyke, Kimberly (March 16, 2011). "Fired Geico Insurance Spokesman Defends Gilbert Gottfried". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 24, 2022.

Further reading

  • Power, Richard (1993). The Life and Teachings of Joe Miller, 1993. Maypop. ISBN 0-9618916-8-8.

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