Jay Baruchel
Ottawa, Ontario
Jay Baruchel is a Canadian actor and voice artist whose career spans live action roles and voice work in animated features. He was born in Ottawa on April 9, 1982, and grew up in Montreal, Quebec, a city with a rich cinematic scene and a strong hockey culture. He is widely recognized for his portrayal of Dave in The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and for lending his voice to Hiccup in the How to Train Your Dragon film series. His work covers television, film, and animation, making him a familiar figure to audiences across Canada and the United States.
Early life and influence helped shape his approach to acting. Raised in Montreal, he developed a deep connection to his Canadian roots and became a devoted fan of the Montreal Canadiens. He attended the same high school as notable figures such as Christopher Plummer and William Shatner, underscoring the long line of Canadian talent associated with his education. A red maple leaf tattoo over his heart serves as a daily reminder of his homeland and its culture. He is married to Canadian actress Alison Pill, renowned for her work in Scott Pilgrim, a bond that links two prominent Canadian performers in the film industry.
Career highlights reveal a mix of television and film roles that helped shape his path. He appeared on Are You Afraid of the Dark? during younger years, a doorway into a career that would expand across genres. In 2004 he portrayed Danger Barch in Million Dollar Baby, a part that placed him on the radar of international audiences. The year 2008 brought Tal in Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, a coming of age story that showcased his ability to navigate witty dialogue and grounded humor. In 2009 he played Sailor Joey Motorola in Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, adding a touch of fantasy to his repertoire. The following decade crowned him as the voice of Hiccup in How to Train Your Dragon, a performance that propelled him into global recognition and multiple sequels. He would later reprise this beloved character in related projects, cementing his place in animated cinema.
Another notable project connected to his signature voice work is Legend of the Boneknapper Dragon, an animated short in which he returns to the role of Hiccup. This short stands as a testament to his enduring collaboration with the How to Train Your Dragon franchise and its fan base. The back story of his career reveals a steady ascent from early television appearances to becoming a staple in family friendly animation and popular cinema.
COOL FACTS
- His full name is Jonathan Adam Saunders Baruchel
- Though born in Ottawa, he was raised in Montreal, Quebec and is a fan of the Montreal Canadiens
- Attended the same high school as Christopher Plummer and William Shatner
- Has a tattoo of a red maple leaf over his heart
- Is married to Canadian actress Alison Pill from Scott Pilgrim
Check? Legend of the Boneknapper Dragon, an animated short in which Jay reprises his How to Train Your Dragon role as the voice of Hiccup.
BACK STORY
- 1995, Joe, ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK?
- 2004, Danger Barch, MILLION DOLLAR BABY
- 2008, Tal, NICK AND NORAH’S INFINITE PLAYLIST
- 2009, Sailor Joey Motorola, NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: BATTLE OF THE SMITHSONIAN
- 2010, Hiccup, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON