Sam Witwer is widely recognized for voicing The Son and Darth Maul in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and for his work as Galen Marek, known as Starkiller, in Star Wars: The Force Unleashed video games and their sequels. The American actor and musician grew up in Glenview, Illinois, where drama and theatre classes sparked a lasting passion for performance. He also served as the lead singer of his high school band, Love Plumber. Over the years, Witwer has appeared in beloved television series such as Smallville, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and Battlestar Galactica.
A recent conversation with the actor explored his role on the hit show and his broader connection to the Star Wars universe.
Before landing the Clone Wars gig, he was already a fan of the saga born from growing up with those films. He admired Luke Skywalker as his favorite character, a choice rooted in Luke’s evolution from an earnest, unsure youth to a self-assured hero who learns from his experiences.
When Witwer first stepped into acting, his imagination was captivated by the possibility of being paid to perform. He valued any opportunity to work in the field and understood that every job represented a chance to grow as an artist.
Voicing animated characters differs from acting on screen, Witwer notes. The advantage is that he can lean into appearances or messiness without worrying about physical presentation, channeling everything into the voice and the moment itself.
After almost five years on the show, his most memorable experiences center on the Darth Maul storyline. As a Star Wars enthusiast himself, he feels incredibly lucky to contribute his perspective to these stories and bring his own interpretation to the character.
If he could script a future moment for Maul, he jokes that the character might be asked on a date and end up at a coffee shop, a playful twist that hints at Maul’s surprising softer side beneath the formidable exterior.
Voice acting presents its own challenges, including the need for a distinct toolkit. Witwer emphasizes the importance of understanding the sense of physicality and the role of sound in shaping performance, recognizing that the craft requires practice and a different approach from traditional screen acting.
There’s a lighthearted side to the craft as well. Rumors about actors going shirtless to avoid rustling noises were dismissed, as such a stunt would likely lead to serious consequences for the crew and the project.
Drawing inspiration from a wide pool of performers, Witwer admires actors who excel at capturing an authentic essence that others can imitate. His ideal choice for a remake role would be a younger Indiana Jones, underscoring his interest in iconic adventures and dynamic characters.
Beyond television and animation, Witwer has explored singing. Those curious can discover his musical projects, including the Crash Tones, where listeners can hear another facet of his talent. The conversation closes with a reminder of his ongoing collaboration with Star Wars: The Clone Wars, available for fans to enjoy on Teletoon.