Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Ross.
Daniel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey into the performing arts began when I was very young, I had always loved making people laugh and I think that fueled a desire to do that as often as possible. When I discovered theater, it was game over because I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Going to the movies and being mesmerized at the types of stories that could be told or the emotions stirred was literal magic to me, and I wanted to be a part of that. In college, I studied Musical Theater, then immediately turned to film and tv- doing background and stand-in work in the DC/Baltimore area. Eventually, I started to book roles in small indie films and later began to produce my own content. My best friend and fellow struggling actor Justin Timpane and I had just watched “Clerks 2” and were excited about the prospect of “buying the Quick-Stop” so to speak, so we ventured out on our own to produce our first feature “Ninjas vs Zombies” on maxed out credit cards. We found quick success with that and followed up with “Ninjas vs Vampires”, and “Ninjas vs Monsters”, all finding distribution on Netflix, Amazon, and at the time in Blockbuster Stores. After producing and starring in several other projects around the Maryland area, I decided to finally take my shot in Los Angeles, but specifically in the field of Voiceover. While we were producing “NvZ”, I successfully campaigned to be a voice in the (2007) “Transformers: The Movie” Videogames as the lead villain Starscream. That adventure sent me to conventions around the country and I got to meet other voice actors who shared their stories with me and were encouraging and supportive of what I wanted to accomplish. I found my tribe so to speak and I fell in love with the idea of being a voice guy. Ever since I was little, I would impersonate my teachers, parents, cartoon characters, and got into all kinds of trouble with prank phone calls, etc.- so you could say I was a voice actor long before I even knew it was a vocation.
I quit my job in retail, said goodbye to my friends and family, packed up my car and drove to Los Angeles in 2014, saying that I would give myself 5yrs to pursue Voiceover with everything I could. I worked overnights at Target, managing the Logistics process which was grueling and hard work- unpacking the trucks, managing the stocking teams, from 10pm-8am every single day… but I had my days free, I could network, do auditions, and I would just lose sleep. Eventually, I started booking pretty frequently and my gut told me that it was time to pursue this full time. Upon quitting my job and driving off the parking lot at 8am for the last time, my agent called me to say that I booked “Lucky the Leprechaun” of Lucky Charms Cereal. So I lovingly joke that I ‘got lucky’. The next big leap for me was when I had the fortune to be in the right place at the right time and audition for the legend himself- Donald Duck, which was a character I never anticipated having an opportunity to read for. My Mom taught me the voice when I was a little kid, and ever since then, Donald was a voice that was always requested from friends or at parties. Disney called me back, then called me back again, and again, and again, and eventually my life was completely changed being cast in “Mickey and the Roadster Racers” for Disney. The legacy of this amazing character and my desire to do right by him and the fans provided a lot of pressure for me to get it right. So I studied day and night, watched the old cartoons, practiced and rehearsed so I would be prepared and ready to record, and it was received very well. Going to the studio and shaking hands and brushing shoulders with giants and those individuals whom I’ve looked up to and listened to my entire life has been such a wonderful experience. Not to mention how special it was for both me and my Mother who had been battling breast cancer. My Mother was my creative inspiration growing up, someone who every day would paint, sketch, sculpt, and just be silly with me. I got to fly her out to LA, take her to the studios to see where the animation was made, and see that creative sparkle return to her eyes after being through so much. To me, that was true Disney Magic.
Being the 3rd person to have ever officially voiced Donald Duck in his 87 young years is the honor of a lifetime, and after 6yrs of being his close friend, I continue to work primarily in animation and videogames while still producing some film projects. I’ve also re-discovered my love of physical comedy and character creation cultivating a successful TikTok account where I have amassed close to a Million amazing followers within a year. Recently I was also awarded the 2020 Voice Arts Award for “Outstanding Body of Work: Best Voice Actor”, and looking back on my career working for Disney, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Warner Brothers and more… I almost can’t fathom that I get to do what I love every single day and call it my job. If only I knew back in 2014 that the massive risk I took would bring me to where I am today.
But more importantly, I get to affect and brighten the smiles of the next generation of Disney and cartoon lovers which reminds me of the little version of me… sitting in front of the TV on Saturday mornings watching cartoons. To bring that kind of joy to the world that will resonate for many years even after I’m gone is something I cherish every day. If my story can inspire just one person to follow their dreams, then I will be happy. My motto is, “It’s the squeaky wheel that gets the grease”, so you must go out there and pursue what your heart desires because no one is going to hand it to you. You must make it and take it.
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?
The biggest struggles that plague any actor is if you’re doing good enough. Imposter syndrome. Having a thick enough skin to weather the constant barrage of rejection and disappointment that arises in this career. There have been moments where I didn’t know if I would be able to feed myself if I should just give up and go home- satisfied enough to say that “I tried”, or to find the wherewithal to dig my heels in and push harder. But when you’ve put everything on the line, giving up just isn’t an option. In this day and age, it’s just as important to maintain an online persona as it is to network and have good work to showcase, all of which can be utterly exhausting and draining. How much of one’s ALL can you give before you are depleted entirely. Having a good self-care routine, meditation, solid friendships that you can rely on, and surrounding yourself with those who believe in you are the pillars to surviving in this environment. Most importantly remembering the words of The Bard himself, “…To thine own self be true.” Never forget who you are and where you’ve come from, be mindful of the space you give others in your own head, and just be yourself. If you try to be something different to everyone and mold yourself to other’s expectations, you will lose yourself, and that spark is exactly what makes you special. Be kind, be generous, work hard, set goals, practice gratitude, be someone everyone enjoys and wants to work with, and very simply let yourself shine!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I began primarily as an on-camera actor, but I’ve since produced several independent and award-winning films in my time. Now I’m most notably known for my Voiceover work as the iconic Donald Duck in “Mickey and the Roadster Racers”, “Mickey Mouse: Mixed-Up Adventures”, “Chip N’ Dale’s Nutty Tales, and more! Starscream in “Transformers the Game (2007)”, Lucky from “Lucky Charms” Cereal, and as the lovable mouse Rutger in new seasons of “The Tom & Jerry Show”. I have been featured as a voice artist on series from Disney Jr, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Warner Brothers, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and have even worked on massive movies, most recently as a voice in “Joker” starring Joaquin Phoenix!
I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished in my career, coming from meager beginnings to where I am today as a working professional in Hollywood has been very gratifying. I believe my drive sets me apart, my collaborative nature and ability to help create opportunity for others has helped me with my own endeavors. I enjoy teaching as well, putting on Voiceover workshops or offering one-on-one coaching through my website gives me the satisfaction of knowing that these skills I’ve learned can be passed along to the next wave of up and coming artists. Hopefully helping others avoid any pitfalls that I may have personally encountered on my journey. But that journey is just beginning and I look forward to being a force of good to be reckoned with for many, many years to come.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
For anyone interested, I would love an opportunity to work with you! Helping to bring your stories to life is something I love doing and I bring decades of tested and quality professional experience to the table. Follow me on Social Media- Instagram, Twitter, and most importantly Tiktok! For all other professional inquiries, I’m repped by the amazing agency CESD. If you would like to coach with me one-on-one and learn more about my approach to Voiceover, I can be booked through my website www.ActorDanielRoss.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ActorDanielRoss.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/actordanielross
- Facebook: facebook.com/actordanielross
- Twitter: twitter.com/actordanielross
- Other: tiktok.com/@actordanielross
