Fans of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS would easily recognize Sam Witwer’s voice as The Son and Darth Maul. Along with lending his acting chops to the Cartoon Network show, he’s also played Galen Marek/Starkiller in the STAR WARS: THE FORCE UNLEASHED video game and its sequel. The American actor and musician grew up in Glenview Illinois, where he first got involved in drama and theater classes. He was even the lead singer of his high school band, Love Plumber. Sam has appeared in many fan-favourite television shows like SMALLVILLE, CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION and BATTLESTAR GALACTICA.
We caught up with the actor to chat about his role on the hit show and the STAR WARS franchise!
Were you a fan of Star Wars before you got this role?
Oh, certainly. I think that just about any kid born around the time that I was had no choice. I grew up quoting those movies.
Who was your favourite character back then?
Probably the same character that’s my favourite now… Luke Skywalker!
What do you like most about him?
I like how his character evolves. I like how he starts out as a nerdy little kid and by the end of it he’s a self-possessed man.
When you first got into acting, did you ever think you’d voice an animated character?
I think when I first got into acting, my imagination was fully devoted to what it must be like to be payed to be an actor, so I think any work I would have been appreciative of.
You used to be on BEING HUMAN, and that’s a totally different experience. What’s the biggest difference between voicing an animated character and acting on screen?
It’s a little bit different. I suppose the cool thing about doing the animated stuff is that I can look as silly or as disheveled as I want when I go to work and I don’t have to worry about it in any way. I can just kind of pour it all into the voice.
The show has been going on for almost five years. For you, what’s been the most memorable moments?
I think all of it with the Darth Maul character has been extraordinarily memorable. As a Star Wars fan myself, I would have never dreamed to be so lucky! To be able to apply my own opinions and my own take to these Star Wars stories has been incredible.
If you had the ability to write your next memorable moment or your next big plot twist that includes your character, what would it be?
I think [Darth] Maul would get asked on some kind of date and they’d go to coffee.
Many people say that voice acting is a test because there are no gestures or facial expressions used. Would you say that it’s been tough channeling your voice-acting side or has it come more naturally to you?
Well, I had a little experience with some voice stuff coming in, but I’ve been getting better at it. It’s definitely something that requires a different tool set and not everybody knows how to do it… I certainly didn’t when I got into it. I think one of the things I kept in mind was the sense of physicality, the sense of hearing the voice. You have to know what you’re doing.
There have also been rumours that some actors, when voice acting, go shirtless so that there isn’t any rustling noise. Is that something you or your cast has tried?
No, I think we’d be fired if we tried that!
What actors do you look to for inspiration?
I don’t know, pretty much all of them. Any actor that someone could do a bad impression of is someone I’d like to emulate.
If you could play a role in the remake of any famous movie, what would it be and why?
I’ll play a younger Indiana Jones.
So you’ve conquered television and animation, what’s next? Maybe some singing?
I’ve done some of that. If you’re interested, look up the Crash Tones, that’s me.
Thank you, Sam Witwer! Be sure to check out Sam on STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS on Teletoon!
(Photo credit: Joel Aron)