Justin Roiland

Mark Justin Roiland (born February 21, 1980)^[2] is an American voice actor, animator, writer, producer, director. He is the co-creator of Adult Swim's animated sitcom Rick and Morty, for which he voices the protagonists Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith. He is the co-creator of Hulu's Solar Opposites, in which he voices the main character, Korvo. He has also played Earl of Lemongrab on Adventure Time, Blendin Blandin on Gravity Falls, and Oscar on Fish Hooks. He founded the animation studio Justin Roiland's Solo Vanity Card Productions! and the video game studio Squanch Games.

Justin Roiland
Roiland at the Raleigh Supercon in July 2017
Born	Mark Justin Roiland^[1] (1980-02-21) February 21, 1980 (age 42) Manteca, California, U.S.
Education	Modesto Junior College
Occupations	Voice actor animator writer producer director
Years active	2004–present

Early life

Roiland was born and raised in Stockton, California.^[3] He attended Sierra High School up until the first quarter of his senior year and then transferred to Manteca High School for the remainder of his senior year, graduating in 1998.^[4] After high school he attended Modesto Junior College in Modesto, California.^[5] Roiland is dyslexic.^[6]

Career

He got involved with Channel101, an L.A. media collective started by Dan Harmon and Rob Schrab, where he made and acted in numerous movie shorts (such as 2 Girls One Cup: The Show, House of Cosbys and a small role as musician Christopher Cross in the series Yacht Rock) and in the VH1 television show Acceptable TV.^[7][8] He appeared regularly on The Sarah Silverman Program on Comedy Central as "Blonde Craig".^[9][10] From 2010 to 2016, he co-hosted The Grandma's Virginity Podcast with future Rick and Morty writer, Ryan Ridley, and future Steven Universe producer, Jackie Buscarino.^[11]

 

Roiland at the 2015 XOXO festival

In 2012, Adult Swim approached Harmon to produce a new animated series for their network. Harmon approached Roiland and together, they created Rick and Morty which debuted in 2013 to widespread acclaim. The show quickly grew a fan community as audiences praised the show for its unique story telling and incorporation of science-fiction elements. Roiland voices Rick Sanchez and his grandson Morty Smith. In addition to the voice work, Roiland serves as a co-writer and executive producer alongside Dan Harmon.^[12][13] By the end of season 1, Rick and Morty became one of the most successful shows Adult Swim ever produced.^[14] The success of Rick and Morty spearheaded an entire franchise around it. Various Rick and Morty themed merchandise have been produced and sold. In addition to the show, Rick and Morty maintains an app called "Pocket Mortys". On August 25, 2016, Roiland launched virtual reality studio Squanchtendo, a portmanteau of the company Nintendo and Rick and Morty character Squanchy.^[15] It was later renamed to Squanch Games.^[13][16] Its first full-length title, Accounting+, made in collaboration with William Pugh's studio, was released for PSVR on December 19, 2017.^[17]

Art

In January 2021, Roiland offered over a dozen artworks in his first NFT art collection, titled "The Best I Could Do". His highest-selling piece was by his Simpsons homage The Smintons, sold at $290,100. The collection sold for a total of $1.65 million.^[18] Roiland also sold his first painting, titled mypeoplefriend, via auction by Sotheby's in July 2021.^[19]

In Halloween of 2022, Roiland released a generative NFT project named "Art Gobblers" with Paradigm Ventures.^{[citation needed]}

Legal issues

In May 2020, Roiland was charged with felony domestic battery and false imprisonment in Orange County, California, in connection with an alleged incident in January 2020 toward an unnamed woman he was reportedly dating at the time. A hearing is scheduled for April 27, 2023.^[20][21]

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2006	Tenacious D: Time Fixers	Abe Lincoln	Short film
	The Real Animated Adventures of Doc and Mharti	Doc Smith, Mharti McDonhalds	Voice, short film
2009	Santa Buddies	Chihuahua	Uncredited
2015	Krampus	Clumpy	Voice
2018	Smallfoot	Garry
	Seth Rogen's Hilarity for Charity	Char
2019	Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus	Foodio 3000, Weird Alien #1, Excited Audience Member	Voice, Netflix film
2021	Space Jam: A New Legacy	Rick Sanchez, Morty Smith	Voice, cameo

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2004	Cheap Seats without Ron Parker	Rhonda's Son	Episode: "1973 Superstars"
2005	House of Cosbys	Additional voices	Also creator, writer and executive producer
2007	Acceptable.TV	Various	Also director, writer and executive producer
2007–2010	The Sarah Silverman Program	Blonde Craig, Chant Leader	8 episodes
2010–2014	Fish Hooks	Oscar Fishtooth	Voice, also writer
2011–2018	Adventure Time	Earl of Lemongrab, Lemonhope, additional voices	14 episodes
2012–2015	Gravity Falls	Blendin Blandin, Bobby Renzobbi, additional voices	7 episodes
2013	Out There	Chris Novak	Voice, 10 episodes
2013–present	Rick and Morty	Rick Sanchez, Morty Smith, additional voices	Voice; also co-creator, writer, executive producer and director
2014—2019	The Cyanide and Happiness Show	Mr. Romero
2015	The Simpsons	Rick Sanchez, Morty Smith	Voice, episode: "Mathlete's Feat"
	Community	Ice Cube Head	Voice, episode: "Emotional Consequences of Broadcast Television"
	Aqua Teen Hunger Force	Honest Abe Lincoln's Hot Links Mascot	Voice, episode: "Mouth Quest"
2015–2017	Pig Goat Banana Cricket	Psychopath Giraffe, Radical Rick, Customer	Voice, 7 episodes
2015	Yo Gabba Gabba!	Sea Queen	Voice, episode: "Mermaids"
2016	Animals.	H&M	Voice, episode: "Cats"
	Future-Worm!	General Couponocus, Mr. Clock Face, Professor Gigglesnorp, Commandant Giflington, Homework Android	Voice, 7 episodes
2017	Mystery Science Theater 3000	—	Writer: "Reptilicus"
2018–2019	Hot Streets	Chubbie Webbers	Voice, also executive producer
2018	Robot Chicken	Additional voices	Episode: "3 2 1 2 333, 222, 3…66?"
	70th Primetime Emmy Awards	Rick Sanchez, Morty Smith	Voice, television special
2019	Star vs. the Forces of Evil	Doop-Doop	2 episodes
2020–present	Solar Opposites	Korvo	Voice; also co-creator, writer, executive producer and director
2021	Invincible	Doug Cheston	Episode: "You Look Kinda Dead"
2022	The Boys Presents: Diabolical	Papers, Narrator's Dad, Picante's Dad	Voice, episode: "An Animated Short Where Pissed-Off Supes Kill Their Parents"; also writer
	The Paloni Show! Halloween Special!	Leroy Paloni	Voice; also creator, writer, executive producer
2023–present	Koala Man	Chad Wagon	Voice, episode: "The Red Hot Rule"; also executive producer

Web

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2005–2010	Yacht Rock	Christopher Cross	4 episodes
2012	SuperFuckers	Orange Lightning, Vortex
2013	Friends and Lovers	Captain Xandar	3 episodes
2010–2016	Grandma's Virginity Podcast	Himself	44 episodes
2016–2018	H3 Podcast		3 episodes
2017	Lasagna Cat	Vocals	Episode: "10/20/1984"
2019	Meme Review	Guest	Episode: "Will Smith hosts Meme Review w/ Elon Musk"
2021	Sand Planet	Uncle & PP88	collabaration on Joel Haver's YouTube channel
2022	Half in the Bag	Guest	Overdub voices for Mike and Jay as Rick and Morty respectively

Video games

In August 2016,^[22] Roiland set up a video game studio, Squanchtendo, which was later renamed to Squanch Games in December 2017.^[23]

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2013	Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I Don't Know!	Earl of Lemongrab
2015	Dota 2	Rick Sanchez, Morty Smith	Rick and Morty Announcer DLC^[24]
	Lego Dimensions	Earl of Lemongrab
	Adventure Time: Finn & Jake Investigations
	Dr. Langeskov, The Tiger, and the Terribly Cursed Emerald	Various Voices
2016	Pocket Mortys	Rick Sanchez, Morty Smith
	The Lab	Various Personality Cores
	Job Simulator	Radio Announcer
	Accounting	Various Voices	Also co-director and co-writer
2017	Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-ality	Rick Sanchez, Morty Smith
	LawBreakers	Blitzball
2019	Trover Saves the Universe	Trover
2022	High on Life	Kenny
	Warped Kart Racers	Korvo
	MultiVersus	Rick Sanchez, Morty Smith, Mr. Meeseeks	Archived recordings

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Nominee(s)	Result	Ref.
2015	Annie Award	Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production	Rick and Morty	Nominated	^[25]
2017	Teen Choice Awards	Choice Animated TV Show		Nominated	^[26]
2018	Critics' Choice Television Award	Best Animated Series		Won	^[27]
	Annie Award	Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production		Won	^[28]
	Saturn Award	Best Animated Series or Film on Television		Nominated	^[29]
	Teen Choice Awards	Choice Animated TV Show		Nominated	^[30]
	Primetime Emmy Award	Outstanding Animated Program	Rick and Morty for "Pickle Rick"	Won	^[31]
2020	Primetime Emmy Award	Outstanding Animated Program	Rick and Morty for "The Vat of Acid Episode"	Won	^[32]
2021	Critics' Choice Super Awards	Best Animated Series	Rick and Morty	Nominated	^[33]
		Best Voice Actor in an Animated Series		Nominated
	Annie Award	Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production		Nominated	^[34]
	Saturn Award	Best Animated Series on Television		Nominated	^[35]
2022	Hollywood Critics Association TV Award	Best Broadcast Network or Cable Animated Series or Television Movie		Won	^[36]
	Primetime Emmy Award	Outstanding Animated Program		Nominated	^[37]

References

1. "Justin Roiland".
2. "Justin Roiland". Amazon. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
3. . Disney Channel. Archived from the original on March 18, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
4. . Don't Ever Change with John Roy. Archived from the original on August 14, 2017. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
5. "Rick and Morty Origins Part One". Adult Swim. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
6. Couch, Aaron (May 14, 2015). "'The Simpsons': Matt Groening Dissects 'Rick and Morty' Opening Credits Crossover". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
7. . Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2012. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
8. . Channel101. Archived from the original on December 4, 2010. Retrieved January 31, 2011.
9. . Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
10. "The Sarah Silverman Program: TV Show Cancelled; No Season Four". TV Series Finale. May 12, 2010. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
11. "The Grandma's Virginity Podcast". iTunes. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
12. "LOL: Watch Justin Roiland's Drunken Rick and Morty Voice Recording". Slashfilm. May 9, 2017. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
13. "An Interview With the Creator of 'Rick and Morty'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
14. Munson, Ben (October 26, 2017). "Time Warner Q3 revenues rise 6% on boost from HBO, 'Rick and Morty'". Fierce Video. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
15. Rosenberg, Adam (August 25, 2016). "'Rick and Morty' co-creator launches a new VR studio, Squanchtendo". Mashable. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
16. "Co-Creator Of Rick And Morty Collaborating On New VR Game Studio". WWG. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
17. Alexander, Julia (December 7, 2017). "Rick and Morty co-creator confirms Accounting+ coming to PSVR this month". Polygon. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
18. Cascone, Sarah (March 23, 2021). "Here Are the 10 Most Expensive NFT Artworks, From Beeple's $69 Million Opus to an 18-Year-Old's $500,000 Vampire Queen". Artnews.
19. Dafoe, Taylor (July 19, 2021). "After Making His Seven-Figure NFT Debut, 'Rick and Morty' Creator Justin Roiland Is Selling His First Painting at Auction". Artnews.
20. Tenbarge, Kat; Kingkade, Tyler (January 12, 2023). "'Rick and Morty' co-creator Justin Roiland faces felony domestic violence charges". NBC News. from the original on January 12, 2023.
21. Shanfield, Ethan (January 12, 2023). "'Rick and Morty' Co-Creator Justin Roiland Facing Domestic Violence Charges". Variety. from the original on January 12, 2023.
22. "The Stanley Parable's designer lied to Rick and Morty's creator — and now they're making a game together". August 25, 2016.
23. "Squanchtendo is now Squanch Games". February 6, 2017.
24. "Steam Workshop :: Rick and Morty Announcer Pack". steamcommunity.com. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
25. . annieawards.org. Archived from the original on December 14, 2014. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
26. Ceron, Ella (June 19, 2017). "Teen Choice Awards 2017: See the First Wave of Nominations". Teen Vogue. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
27. Hammond, Pete (December 6, 2017). "Critics' Choice Awards Nominations: 'The Shape Of Water' Leads With 14; Netflix Tops TV Contenders". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
28. . Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 14, 2014. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
29. McNary, Dave (March 15, 2018). "'Black Panther,' 'Walking Dead' Rule Saturn Awards Nominations". Variety. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
30. Weatherby, Taylor (June 13, 2018). "Taylor Swift, Drake, Cardi B & More Among Teen Choice Awards 2018 Nominees: See the Full List". Billboard. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
31. "Emmys: Netflix Beats HBO With Most Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. July 12, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
32. "Emmys 2020: List of Nominations". Variety. July 28, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
33. Kit, Borys (November 19, 2020). "Palm Springs,' 'Lovecraft Country' Lead Nominations for Inaugural Critics Choice Super Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
34. Pedersen, Erik (March 3, 2021). "Annie Awards Nominations: 'Soul' & 'Wolfwalkers' Lead Field For Animation Prizes". Deadline. from the original on December 3, 2019. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
35. Hipes, Patrick (March 4, 2021). "Saturn Awards Nominations: 'Star Wars: Rise Of Skywalker', 'Tenet', 'Walking Dead', 'Outlander' Lead List". Deadline. from the original on December 3, 2019. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
36. Verhoeven, Beatrice (July 7, 2022). "'This Is Us,' 'Succession,' 'Severance' Lead 2022 HCA TV Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
37. Moreau, Jordan (July 12, 2022). "Emmys 2022: Complete Nominations List". Variety. from the original on July 12, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2022.

External links

• Justin Roiland at IMDb
• Justin Roiland on Twitter
• Justin Roiland on Instagram
• Cartoons, Comics, and stuff by Justin Roiland