Phil LaMarr is one of the most prolific voice actors, having lent his voice to some of the most iconic characters in the animation medium. LaMarr is best known for voicing John Stewart / Green Lantern in the 2000-2004 animated series Justice League and its follow-up, Justice League: Unlimited. He also lent his voice to a Jedi Master in the Star Wars franchise.
In an interview, LaMarr was asked about his favorite character to voice in animation and video game mediums. However, LaMarr avoided the question and refused to pick a favorite between his Justice League and Star Wars roles. Here is why LaMarr refrained from naming the voice-acting gig that was closest to his heart.
Justice League Star Phil LaMarr Refuses to Choose Favorite Voice-Acting Role
Phil LaMarr has had a respectable acting career but he became a pop culture icon thanks to his voice acting roles. LaMarr has been the voice behind fan-favorite characters such as Green Lantern, Samurai Jack, and many others.
In an interview with SyFy, LaMarr was asked to pick between his favorite voice-acting roles in animation and video games. However, LaMarr refused to pick favorites.
“I don’t have it you don’t have one cause they’re all fun. Do you want me to pick the Green Lantern who got to be on trial for murder and have a love triangle with vixen and Hawkgirl or should I pick the Jedi or the samurai trapped in the future.”
LaMarr made the above statement referencing his roles as Green Lantern in the animated Justice League series, Jedi Master Kit Fisto in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and the titular hero in Samurai Jack. LaMarr also voiced the same characters in video games based on the respective franchises, making it even harder for him to answer the question.
“Whenever anybody asks what’s your favorite, you don’t really want to know what my favorite is. You just want my favorite to be your favorite.”
Thus, LaMarr explained the reason behind his refusal to pick his favorite character to voice. At the same time, LaMarr joked that his favorite voice-acting role was whatever character that was helping him pay the bills. However, the actor admitted he had the most fun working on Justice League.
Phil LaMarr Talks Jedi Master Kit Fisto’s Accent in Star Wars: The Clone Wars
In a separate interview with Vanity Fair, Phil LaMarr discussed voicing Jedi Master Kit Fisto in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. During the interview, LaMarr explained the story behind the unique accent of the character, who was first introduced in a non-speaking role in Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones. He said:
“I guess George Lucas had the idea that the aquatic aliens should all have some sort of island, Caribbean flavor. So that’s where the idea of Kit Fisto having a sort of island accent came from.”
LaMarr added that he felt honored to voice a Jedi Master in the Star Wars franchise, having grown up during the 70s when the original trilogy came out. Aside from playing Kit Fisto, LaMarr has also voiced other characters in several Star Wars media, including Bail Organa in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars: The Bad Batch, and Jedi Master Syo Bakarn in Star Wars: The Old Republic video game.
The animated Justice League series is streaming on Max while the Star Wars animated shows can be streamed on Disney+.
