Mike Pollock (voice actor)
{{Short description|American voice actor (born 1965)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Mike Pollock
| image = Mike Pollock Headshot 2008.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Pollock in 2008
| birth_name = Michael B. Pollock
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age |1965|03|09}}
| birth_place = Roslyn Heights, New York, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| other_names = Herb Lawrence{{Cite web|url=http://www.itsamike.com/faq|title=Mike's Fan FAQ - Voice Over Actor Mike Pollock - It's A Mike!|website=www.itsamike.com|access-date=December 28, 2016}}
| occupation = Voice actor
| years_active = 1983–present
| spouse =
| children =
| website = {{URL|http://www.itsamike.com}}
| module2 = centerA voice sample of Mike Pollock
}}
Michael B. Pollock (born March 9, 1965) is an American voice actor, best known for being the voice of Doctor Eggman and Gerald Robotnik (among other characters) in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise since 2003. He has voiced numerous characters in various anime English dubs, video games, and other animated works as a freelancer.{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/itsamike/status/1650830001309097984|title=Mike Pollock on X: "Acting is a freelance profession, so some days have plenty of down time. Voice-over gigs tend to max out at four hours each, but are often much shorter"|website=X.com}}
His other notable roles include the narrator, Raoul Contesta and Drayden in the Pokémon series, Adon Coborlwitz from Berserk, Meat from Ultimate Muscle, Langston Lickatoad from Viva Piñata, Suikyou from the Ikki Tousen series, Beast in the motion comic adaptation of Astonishing X-Men and multiple characters in Kirby: Right Back at Ya!.
Early life
Michael B. Pollock was born on March 9, 1965, the son of Herb Lawrence Pollock. He is Jewish and has described himself as "secular but religious aware".{{cite tweet |last=Pollock |first=Mike |user=itsamike |number=1362874644785745920 |date=February 19, 2021 |title=@astroblema Secular, but religious-aware. |language=en |access-date=February 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219212026/https://twitter.com/itsamike/status/1362874644785745920 |archive-date=February 19, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite tweet |last=Pollock |first=Mike |user=itsamike |number=1383465945201475584 |date=April 17, 2021 |title=@cybershill13 @itsakike @Duncan_TASM2 He finds it funny because I'm Jewish. |language=en |access-date=February 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417211251/https://twitter.com/itsamike/status/1383465945201475584 |archive-date=April 17, 2021 |url-status=live}} He is sometimes credited with his father's name in tribute.{{cite web|url=http://rcp.roslynschools.org/alumni/alumni.htm|title=The Royal Crown Players - ALUMNI|website=rcp.roslynschools.org|access-date=May 2, 2017}} He graduated from Roslyn High School in 1983, where he was involved with their theater program, called the Royal Crown Players. He worked in radio in Upstate New York in the 1980s.
Career
When he returned to New York City in the 1990s, he was booked into some children's videos, anime and an episode of Pokémon. Pollock recalls it was director Eric Stuart who brought him in as a guest spot for Pokémon and he then got recommended for roles in Kirby: Right Back at Ya!, Ultimate Muscle and the FoxBox promotion announcer. His first major anime role was Meat in Ultimate Muscle.{{cite web | url=http://eggmanempire.sonicworld.net/pollockinterview.php | title=Mike Pollock Interview | date=December 17, 2004 | author=IshNT | work=Eggman Empire / Sonic World | access-date=May 1, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928220026/http://eggmanempire.sonicworld.net/pollockinterview.php | archive-date=September 28, 2011 | url-status=dead }}
Pollock first took the role of Doctor Eggman in the English dub of Sonic X, in which he also portrayed Professor Gerald Robotnik.Anime News Network citations for Pollock's roles in Sonic X:
- {{Cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-05-30/bleach-voice-actor-david-vincent@london-anime-con-and-new-cosplay-forum-launched|title=Dub Actors David Vincent and Mike Pollock Confirmed for London Anime Con|newspaper=Anime News Network|access-date=December 28, 2016}}
- {{Cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2013-05-30/bleach-voice-actor-david-vincent@london-anime-con-and-new-cosplay-forum-launched|title=Bleach Voice-Actor David Vincent @ London Anime Con & New Cosplay Forum Launched|newspaper=Anime News Network|access-date=December 28, 2016}}
- {{Cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-07-16/london-anime-con-this-weekend|title=London Anime Con this Weekend|newspaper=Anime News Network|access-date=December 28, 2016}}
- {{Cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2011-03-27/castle-point-anime-convention-announces-michelle-knotz-bill-rogers-uncle-yo-katie-tiedrich-and-mike-pollock-as-special-guests|title=Castle Point Anime Convention Announces Michelle Knotz, Bill Rogers, Uncle Yo, Katie Tiedrich, and Mike Pollock as Special Guests|newspaper=Anime News Network|access-date=December 28, 2016}}
- {{Cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2013-07-09/voice-actors-cosplayers-and-celebrities-at-an-expanded-london-anime-con-this-20-21-july|title=Voice Actors, Cosplayers & Celebrities at an Expanded London Anime Con This 20–21 July|newspaper=Anime News Network|access-date=December 28, 2016}}
- {{Cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2015-04-10/a-chance-to-win-the-title-of-best-cosplayer-in-the-world-at-london-anime-and-gaming-con/.86994|title=A Chance to Win the Title of Best Cosplayer in the World at London Anime & Gaming Con|newspaper=Anime News Network|access-date=December 28, 2016}}
- {{Cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2013-07-05/anime-festival@london-anime-con-this-20-21-july-and-cosplay-stars-ticket-contests|title=Anime Festival @ London Anime Con This 20–21 July & Cosplay Stars Ticket Contests!|newspaper=Anime News Network|access-date=December 28, 2016}}
- {{Cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2013-02-26/london-gaming-convention-2-announced|title=London Gaming Convention 2 Announced for this 4-5 May 2013|newspaper=Anime News Network|access-date=December 28, 2016}}
- {{Cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2013-05-31/london-anime-con-brings-video-game-tournaments|title=London Anime Con Brings Video Game Tournaments and Leading Figures in Gaming to Islington|newspaper=Anime News Network|access-date=December 28, 2016}}
Pollock assumed the role of Eggman in the video game series beginning with the 2005 games Shadow the Hedgehog and Sonic Rush, as part of an initiative by SEGA to maintain vocal consistency between the concurrent video game/TV portrayals of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise.
Several anime websites, anime conventions, podcasters and interviewers have commented on Pollock's performance as Dr. Eggman in numerous video games and animated series within the Sonic franchise.Interviews with Pollock and conventions that he attended:
- {{Cite web|url=http://forums.sega.com/showthread.php?537065-I-got-to-interview-Mike-Pollock-Doctor-Eggman!|title=I got to interview Mike Pollock, voice of Dr Eggman!|website=forums.sega.com|access-date=December 28, 2016}}
- {{Cite web|url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12529|title=Interview with Mike Pollock - Behind The Voice Actors|website=www.behindthevoiceactors.com|access-date=December 28, 2016}}
- {{Cite web|url=http://www.podcastgarden.com/episode/mike-pollock-interview_77030|title=Mike Pollock interview - Aaron's Journey {{!}} podcast garden|website=www.podcastgarden.com|access-date=December 28, 2016}}
- {{Cite web|url=http://www.aishaanime.co.uk/2015/10/14/villiany-has-no-bounds-for-mike-pollock-interview/|title=Villiany has no Bounds for Mike Pollock (interview)|date=October 14, 2015|website=The Ordeals of a Creative Mind|access-date=December 28, 2016}}
- {{Cite web|url=http://youzeek.com/?source=vmap&sid=NDD-0qBKaEA&lng=EN#ArtistPage_Mike%20Pollock|title=Mike Pollock Interview (Dr Eggman)|website=YOUZEEK|access-date=December 28, 2016}}
- {{Cite web|url=http://www.conventionscene.com/tag/mike-pollock/|title=Mike Pollock - Convention Scene|website=www.conventionscene.com|date=August 17, 2015 |access-date=December 28, 2016}}
- {{Cite web|url=https://fancons.com/guests/bio/622/mike-pollock|title=Mike Pollock Information|website=FanCons.com|access-date=June 6, 2018}}
- {{Cite web|url=http://bergencharter.ilearnschools.org/voice-over-actor-mike-pollock-visits-hs/|title=Voice Over Actor Mike Pollock visits HS {{!}} Bergen Arts and Science Charter School|website=bergencharter.ilearnschools.org|access-date=December 28, 2016}}
- {{Cite web|url=http://shortyawards.com/8th/sega-dr-eggman-twitter-takeover|title=Dr. Eggman Twitter Takeover - The Shorty Awards|website=shortyawards.com|access-date=December 28, 2016}}
His performance as Dr. Eggman has become identified with the character.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=di9MCAAAQBAJ&q=sonic+x+mike+pollock+review&pg=PT109|title=Speedrun: The Unauthorised History of Sonic the Hedgehog|last=Hazeldine|first=Julian|date=October 11, 2014|publisher=Lulu Press, Inc|isbn=9781291832341|language=en}}
On July 15, 2010, Sega announced that the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise would undergo a re-casting, with a new set of voice actors based in Los Angeles, California, assuming the roles of each character. Despite this, Pollock continued to voice Dr. Eggman. According to Pollock himself, none of the actors who auditioned fit the role well.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.sega.com/sonic/2010/07/15/out-of-the-mouths-of-hedgehogs/|title=SEGA Blog {{pipe}} Sonic the Hedgehog|publisher=Blogs.sega.com|access-date=May 11, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524063124/http://blogs.sega.com/sonic/2010/07/15/out-of-the-mouths-of-hedgehogs/|archive-date=May 24, 2011}}
Pollock reprised his role of Dr. Eggman on the TV series Sonic Boom, which premiered on November 8, 2014. Pollock has currently held the role for longer than any other English-speaking actor.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ticgn.com/review-sonic-boom-fire-ice-3ds/ |title=Review: Sonic Boom Fire & Ice (3DS) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018082506/https://www.ticgn.com/review-sonic-boom-fire-ice-3ds/ |archive-date=October 18, 2016 |url-status=dead |date=September 29, 2016 |first=Ryan |last=Silberman |work=The Inner Circle Games Network |access-date=December 28, 2016 }}
For Teleflora's Mother's Day campaign in 2016, Pollock narrated Vince Lombardi's "What It Takes to Be Number One" speech in a commercial video called "One Tough Mother".{{cite web|url=http://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/ad-day-teleflora-finds-fresh-use-vince-lombardi-powerful-ad-mothers-day-171034/|title=Ad of the Day: Teleflora Finds Fresh Use for Vince Lombardi in Powerful Ad for Mother's Day|first= David |last=Gianatasio | date=April 25, 2016 | work=Adweek|access-date=May 1, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/nfl/green-bay-packers/article/watch-vince-lombardi-featured-in-teleflora-commercial--45022474/|title=WATCH: Vince Lombardi featured in Teleflora commercial|first=Brian |last=Jones | date=April 26, 2016|work=247Sports.com | location=Green Bay | access-date=May 1, 2017}}
From 2020 to 2021, he reprised his role as Dr. Eggman in the unofficial YouTube audio drama series, Sonic and Tails R.
Personal life
His brother, Bill Pollock, is the director of a publishing house No Starch Press.{{cite tweet |last=Pollock |first=Mike |user=itsamike |number=1100742397179371521 |date=February 27, 2019 |title=Pic of my bro, for all your sibling headshot needs. https://t.co/drIFaXdQhX |language=en |access-date=February 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410170124/https://twitter.com/itsamike/status/1100742397179371521 |archive-date=April 10, 2022 |url-status=live}}
Filmography
=Anime=
=Animation=
=Film=
=Video games=
=Radio=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ List of voice performances in radio !Year !Title !Role ! class="unsortable"| Notes |
| 2006–14
|Sir Hardin Thicke | | |
=Web=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ List of voice performances in web series !Year !Title !Role ! class="unsortable"| Notes ! class="unsortable"| Refs |
| 2015–present
|Sonic Twitter Takeover |Dr. Eggman, The End (male voice) |7 "takeovers" | |
| 2020–21
|Sonic and Tails R |Dr. Eggman |10 episodes |
| 2021
|Golden Sun Dub |Hammet |YouTube game reproduction |{{cite AV media |date=September 25, 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-VnWqDf8Gs |title=The Thieves of Vault {{!}} Golden Sun Dub [Ep. 5] |publisher=Memoir Productions |via=YouTube |access-date=February 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926183016/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-VnWqDf8Gs |archive-date=September 26, 2021 |url-status=live}} |
| 2024
|And Beyond |Dr. Rabbitnik the Easter Egg Man |YouTube animation cameo |
=Other roles=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ List of voice performances in other roles ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable"| Notes | ||||
| 2009 | Astonishing X-Men | Beast | motion comics | {{cite web | url=http://comicsalliance.com/astonishing-x-men-motion-comic-review/ | title=Astonishing X-Men: Motion Comics, Why Bother? [Review] | first=Chris | last=Sims | date=August 9, 2010 | work=ComicsAlliance | quote=I was especially impressed with Mike Pollock's voice for Beast, as he gives him the cadence of a nerdy scientist with the underlying animalistic growl of...well, of a beast. }} |
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable"
! Year ! Award ! Category ! Title ! Result |
| rowspan="3" | 2014
| BTVA Voice Acting Award | Best Male Vocal Performance in a Video Game | {{nom}} |
| rowspan="2" | BTVA Anime Dub Award
| Best Vocal Ensemble in an Anime Movie/Special (shared with entire cast) | rowspan="2" | Berserk: The Golden Age Arc II - The Battle for Doldrey | {{nom}} |
| Best Male Supporting Vocal Performance in an Anime Movie/Special
| {{nom}} |
| 2016
| Best Overall Twitter Presence | "Dr. Eggman Twitter Takeover" |
References
{{Reflist|refs=
Tweets concerning Mike Pollock's roles in Pokémon:
- {{cite tweet | user=itsamike | author=Mike Pollock | number=750787010839900160 | title=The Interim Narrator, as it were. (in response to bulbapedia tweet: Mike Pollock takes over the role of the narrator in the English dub and remains so until Pasta La Vista.) | date=July 6, 2016 | access-date=April 30, 2017 }}
- {{cite tweet | user=itsamike | author=Mike Pollock | number=750788155167694848 | title= Replying to @Lunairestar, No, Narrator before Drayden. And several things even earlier. | date=July 6, 2016 | access-date=April 30, 2017 }}
- {{Cite web|url=http://www.itsamike.com/resume|title=Mike's Résumé - Voice Over Actor Mike Pollock|work=It's a Mike (Mike Pollock official website)|access-date=October 24, 2017}}
- {{Cite news|url=http://celebritytalentbooking.com/celebrity/mike-pollock/|title=CELEBRITY: Mike Pollock - Jeff Zannini Celebrity Talent|newspaper=Jeff Zannini Celebrity Talent|language=en-US|access-date=December 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525103007/http://celebritytalentbooking.com/celebrity/mike-pollock/|archive-date=May 25, 2017|url-status=dead}}
- {{Cite web|url=http://voice123.com/mikepollock|title=Mike Pollock - Hire voice actor for your voice over project|website=voice123.com|access-date=December 28, 2016}}
- {{Cite web|url=https://www.stage32.com/profile/64017/about|title=Mike Pollock - Mike's Bio, Credits, Awards, and more.|website=Stage 32|access-date=December 28, 2016}}
}}
=Bibliography=
- {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fTI1yeZd-tkC|title=The Animated Movie Guide|last=Beck|first=Jerry|author-link=Jerry Beck|publisher=Chicago Review Press|year=2005|isbn=9781569762226|pages=386pp|no-pp=y}}
- {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YX_daEhlnbsC|title=Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010|edition=2d|first=Vincent|last=Terrace|isbn=9780786486410|publisher=McFarland|year=2008}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://itsamike.com/}}
- {{AnimeCons name|id=622|name=Mike Pollock}}
- {{Anime News Network|people|2551|Mike Pollock}}
- {{IMDb name}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pollock, Mike}}
Category:American male voice actors
Category:American male video game actors
Category:Male actors from New York (state)
Category:People from Roslyn Heights, New York
Category:Roslyn High School alumni