Today we’d like to introduce you to Kerem Erdinc
Hi Kerem, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Growing up in Pittsburgh in the 1990s, I was immersed in the worlds of video games, cartoons, comics, and animated films, deeply inspired by the vocal performances of legends like Mark Hamill, Kevin Conroy, and Keith David. This passion led me to school plays, where I discovered my love for performance art. Whether on stage or behind a microphone, I thrived on bringing stories to life. As an only child from a close-knit Turkish family with traditional career expectations, I felt a responsibility to follow a conventional path, but I couldn’t ignore my creative dreams. I chose to pursue both, excelling in the business world, while keeping one foot in the creative world. Over time, I realized that my most authentic self emerged when I was performing and voicing characters. Today, I continue to chase my creative ambitions, as a professional voice actor in the most competitive market of the industry, Los Angeles.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Throughout my journey to becoming a voice actor, I faced two consistent struggles. The first was balancing my dual career paths. While I had many verdant supporters who believed in me from day one, I also encountered just as many people who dismissed my dream as frivolous, nonsensical, or a waste of time. Drowning out those naysayers was challenging, especially when some of them were close to me. Thankfully, my mom has always been my biggest supporter, and her unwavering belief in me often drowns out any negativity.
When I find myself overthinking or battling self-doubt and imposter syndrome, I focus on cherishing the process more than the results. Some of my favorite auditions weren’t the ones I booked, but the ones where I created a character that made me feel I had grown as an actor. Whether it’s voicing villains, heroes, creatures, or even one-note side characters, I strive to bring something clever to casting directors who are likely hearing hundreds of similar takes. There’s a unique joy in that creative exchange with directors I may never meet. This mindset keeps me competitive without fixating on standard metrics of success, allowing me to deliver authentic reads untouched by the stresses of real life.
The second major struggle has been knowing when to listen to advice and when to ignore it. Some so-called “pros” will tell you need to not aim high, or that you need to stick to your lane since you don’t have the kind of voice for xyz thing. Don’t listen to them, especially if they can’t explain their reasoning. The only rules are delivering good performances, and being a respectful professional to work with. If you put in the work and do your research, nothing is out of reach. I wasted my first few years adhering to rigid frameworks that turned out to be completely untrue. Instead, focus on building a circle of improvement and goal-oriented individuals, rather than those who can only see things through their limited perspective.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As a professional voice actor based in Los Angeles, I specialize in bringing dynamic, memorable characters to life across animation, video games, and other media. I’m currently best known for my dual roles as Batman and Joker in Death Battle, where I had the unique pleasure of voicing two iconic characters with vastly different personalities. Growing up, Mark Hamill and Kevin Conroy were my heroes, so donning the cowl and stepping into the spats while collaborating with one of my best friends, Danny Shepherd on the script made the project an incredibly special milestone in my career.
As for the project I’m most proud of, I can’t say much just yet. Let’s just say it’s something I’ve been dreaming of since I was a kid, and I can’t wait for the world to experience it together with me. Stay tuned!
What sets me apart in this space is my unique approach to both the profession and the characters I bring to life. As a Turkish American with a diverse background, ranging from marketeer to performer—I draw from a wealth of life experiences to create characters that feel authentic and relatable. Rather than relying on archetypes or simply “making up a voice,” I strive to craft performances that reflect real, multidimensional people who could exist in the world, even if they are a little larger than life sometimes.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I’m incredibly fortunate to have a strong support system in my life, with my immediate family at the heart of it. They not only support me but take an active interest in my work, which has been invaluable. Pursuing your dreams can be challenging when those closest to you dismiss them as a waste of time or show no interest in understanding your passions. However, I’m blessed with a mom, aunt, uncle, cousins, friends, and fellow creatives who consistently cheer me on as I navigate this journey. Having a circle of positive, enthusiastic people who genuinely wish for my happiness and success in my chosen career is my greatest advantage. I know how rare this kind of support is in our line of work, and I don’t take it for granted.
There are many people I’d like to thank, but there is one fellow creative I would like to spotlight: Sara Secora, a talented voice actress I had the pleasure of working with on Smite 2. She was my booth director for the Fallen Zeus character, and her direction was invaluable in navigating such a complex role. This version of Zeus had three distinct forms, each requiring a unique sound while still feeling like the same character. Sara’s insights into the god’s personality and her clever ideas made the session not only smooth but also incredibly rewarding. Beyond her directorial skills, Sara is the person who introduced me to my agent, effectively jumpstarting my career as an LA voice actor. To say she deserves credit would be an understatement. I hope every voice actor gets the chance to work with her.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.keremerdincvoices.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keremiswhelmed/?hl=en
- Twitter: https://x.com/keremiswhelmed?lang=en&mx=2
- Other: https://app.bsky.cz/profile/did:plc:bf6gv2xqwejywzkvpycac2ig
Image Credits
Kerem Erdinc
