This conversation with voiceover actor Ian Cardoni explores what it means to step into an iconic role and grow into it in real time. We talk about the craft of voiceover performance, the discipline behind sustaining characters across animation and video games, and what it feels like to inherit a role as widely recognized as Rick Sanchez in Rick and Morty. Ian shares the range, training, and adaptability it takes to build a career in voiceover, along with the responsibility that comes with bringing a beloved character forward into new seasons and audiences. At its core, this is a conversation about trust, preparation, and finding your own voice inside a legacy role. Whether you are an actor, voiceover artist, or simply curious about how animated worlds are built, this episode offers a grounded look at the work behind the performance.
Born and raised just outside of Boston, Ian Cardoni currently stars in Adult Swim’s two-time Emmy Award-winning animated comedy series “Rick and Morty” as the titular character Rick Sanchez. Cardoni stepped into the iconic role at the start of season 7 and can be heard as the voice of Rick in seasons 7 & 8 which are available to watch on HBO Max, with season 9 coming to Adult Swim soon. The hit series was recently renewed through season 12.
Cardoni has voiced numerous roles across adult and children’s animation, video games, TV promo, and commercials, including recent roles in the Children’s & Family Emmy-nominated and Annie Award-nominated Nickelodeon series “Rock, Paper, Scissors,” in Fox’s animated series “Krapopolis,” and in the Sony Pictures Classic film “Scarlet” from Academy Award-nominated director Mamoru Hosoda which had its national theatrical release on February 13, 2026, and was an official selection at Venice and Toronto international film festivals in 2025. Cardoni’s voice has also been heard announcing for WWE, SyFy Network, Apple TV, and Disney+.
In the video game space, Cardoni has voiced roles across various critically-acclaimed titles, including “DC: Dark Legion” by Warner Brothers Games, “CookieRun: The Darkest Night” by Devsisters, “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 & 4” by Iron Galaxy, and he reprised his “Rick and Morty” role of Rick Sanchez in the chart-topping game “MultiVersus” from Warner Brothers Games which has received multiple Game Awards nominations. Most recently, Cardoni can be heard as the villain Magrus in third-person action game “Romeo is a Dead Man” by Grasshopper Manufacture and legendary developer Suda51, which released in February 2026.
Outside of his acting career, Cardoni is a proud and active Emerson College alumni who spends his time on philanthropic ventures and educational endeavors. He currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife.
How ‘Rick and Morty’ Cast Its New Voice Stars
*Ian Cardoni (Rick) and Harry Belden (Morty) were cast in Rick and Morty under the SAG-AFTRA 2023 Basic Cable Animation Agreement as the series began production on Season 7
