Unmasking the Voices Behind Call of Duty: Black Ops 3
The world of Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 is brought to life by a stellar cast of voice actors, each contributing to the immersive experience of both the campaign and the wildly popular Zombies mode. The player character’s voice shifts depending on the chosen gender, with Ben Browder voicing the male protagonist and Abby Brammell providing the voice for the female. Beyond the main character, the cast is brimming with talent, lending their voices to memorable characters and their unique narratives. This article delves deep into the vocal landscape of Black Ops 3, revealing the actors behind the iconic characters.
Black Ops 3’s Core Voice Cast
The primary campaign of Black Ops 3 is driven by a compelling narrative featuring a team of seasoned operators. Here’s a breakdown of the main characters and their voice actors:
- Player Character (Male): Ben Browder, known for his roles in Farscape and Stargate, lends his distinct voice to the male playable character, adding a layer of ruggedness and experience.
- Player Character (Female): Abby Brammell, from The Unit, provides the voice for the female playable character, bringing a sense of strength and resilience.
- Jacob Hendricks: Sean Douglas, recognised for his work in Days of Our Lives, portrays Jacob Hendricks, a key member of the wetwork team.
- Commander John Taylor: Christopher Meloni, famous for his roles in Law & Order: SVU and Happy!, voices Commander John Taylor, bringing his characteristic intensity and authority to the role.
- Sebastian Diaz: Reynaldo Gallegos, known for his roles in Sons of Anarchy and The Shield, voices Sebastian Diaz, adding depth to the team dynamics.
- Sarah Hall: Katee Sackhoff, who gained fame for her role as Starbuck in Battlestar Galactica, voices Sarah Hall, adding to the team’s strategic prowess.
- Peter Maretti: Ary Katz provides the voice for Peter Maretti, completing the main team of operators.
The Unforgettable Voices of Shadows of Evil Zombies
Black Ops 3’s Zombies mode, “Shadows of Evil”, takes a drastically different tone, boasting a star-studded cast that includes:
- Nero: Jeff Goldblum, known for his unique and eccentric style, voices Nero, one of the four playable characters trapped in the 1940s film noir-inspired world.
- Jessica: Heather Graham, well-known for her roles in Boogie Nights and Austin Powers, voices Jessica, another member of the chaotic group battling the undead.
- Jack Vincent: Neal McDonough, who is no stranger to villainous roles in TV and film, lends his voice to Jack Vincent.
- Floyd Campbell: Ron Perlman, famous for his role as Hellboy, gives life to Floyd Campbell, the smooth-talking boxer.
- Shadowman: Robert Picardo, known for his roles in Star Trek: Voyager and Stargate SG-1, voices the ominous Shadowman, as well as other characters, Sebastian Krueger, and Robert McNamara.
Additional Notable Voice Actors
Beyond the primary casts, several other voice actors contribute to the rich sonic tapestry of Black Ops 3:
- Tank Dempsey: Steve Blum, a prolific voice actor known for many video game roles, voices Tank Dempsey, a recurring character from the Zombies mode.
- Takeo Masaki: Tom Kane, who has provided voices for multiple Call of Duty games, voices Takeo Masaki, another core character in Zombies mode, across multiple titles.
- Samantha Maxis: Julie Nathanson voiced Samantha from World at War to Black Ops and returned to the role in Black Ops 4. Grace Kaufman voiced Samantha during the events of Origins.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who voices the main character in Black Ops 3?
The male player character is voiced by Ben Browder, while the female player character is voiced by Abby Brammell.
2. Is Christopher Meloni in Black Ops 3?
Yes, Christopher Meloni voices Commander John Taylor in the campaign.
3. Who are the main voice actors in the “Shadows of Evil” Zombies mode?
The main voice actors in “Shadows of Evil” are Jeff Goldblum, Heather Graham, Neal McDonough, Ron Perlman, and Robert Picardo.
4. Did Jeff Goldblum voice a character in Black Ops 3?
Yes, Jeff Goldblum voices Nero in the Shadows of Evil zombies map.
5. Who voices the Shadowman in Black Ops 3 Zombies?
Robert Picardo voices the Shadowman and other characters, such as Sebastian Krueger, and Robert McNamara in Black Ops 3 Zombies mode.
6. Is Katee Sackhoff in Black Ops 3?
Yes, Katee Sackhoff voices Sarah Hall in the main campaign.
7. Does Sean Douglas voice a character in Black Ops 3?
Yes, Sean Douglas voices Jacob Hendricks in the campaign.
8. Who voices Tank Dempsey in Black Ops 3?
Steve Blum voices Tank Dempsey in Black Ops 3’s Zombies mode, a role he has reprised in multiple Call of Duty titles.
9. Who voices Takeo Masaki in Black Ops 3?
Tom Kane voices Takeo Masaki in Black Ops 3’s Zombies mode, among other Call of Duty games.
10. Who is the guy on the Black Ops 3 cover?
The person on the Black Ops 3 cover is Andy McDermott, a Phoenix police officer used for marketing purposes, not a voice actor in the game.
11. Can you play as a female character in Black Ops 3?
Yes, you can choose the gender of your player character in the campaign; the female protagonist is voiced by Abby Brammell.
12. Is Black Ops 4 a sequel to Black Ops 3?
Yes, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is a direct sequel to Black Ops 3.
13. Who voiced the player in previous Black Ops?
In Black Ops and Black Ops 2, the player character did not have a designated voice. The player voiced by Ben Browder and Abby Brammell was implemented for the first time in Black Ops 3.
14. Is Nolan North in Black Ops 3?
Nolan North does not voice Richtofen in Black Ops 3. He is known to voice him in other Black Ops installments, but he does not reprise his role in Black Ops 3.
15. Who voices Samantha in Black Ops 3 Zombies?
Julie Nathanson originally voiced Samantha from World at War to Black Ops, and she returns to the role in Black Ops 4. She was replaced by Grace Kaufman in Origins. However, in Black Ops 3, Samantha’s voice is not used.
By showcasing a wide array of talent, Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 delivers an exceptional auditory experience that significantly elevates the game’s immersive quality. From the gritty realism of the campaign to the bizarre and captivating world of zombies, the voice actors play a crucial role in making the game so memorable.