February 25, 2022
Celebrity Q&A: Roger Craig Smith
Roger Craig Smith, after working as a comic for 5 years, left stand-up comedy to pursue voiceacting full-time in 2005. He is known for many roles through the years in several popular franchises: Chris Redfield and Kyle Crane—characters from popular games—and even Batman and Sonic. He’s also the voice behind Ezio Auditore, his most notable role from the popular Assassin’s Creed II game.Q: When the team first pitched Assassin’s Creed II to you, what were your thoughts?A: I truly didn’t know what to think. I was familiar with the first game and very familiar with friends who’d played it and had their opinions, so I wasn’t sure what was in store for the 2nd game. I just went into it trying to provide the best work I could on a daily basis and to deliver for the folks who were nice enough to have given me the shot. That’s usually all I can do to approach any project.
—Source: The Ones Who Came Before
Q: Before voicing Ezio Auditore, had you ever had to speak Italian for a role?A: “Ha! Nope! Being Scotch-Irish, it’s not something most folks toss my way.”
—Source: The Ones Who Came Before
Q: Why do you think Ezio remains such a popular character after all these years?A: That’s all the writing and the world Ubisoft created to place him within. The story they gave that character is so deep, complicated and moving. He’s also one of the only characters to have been given so much time to have the story fleshed out. We see him from birth, and, in Embers, we see him through the end of his journey.
—Source: The Ones Who Came Before
Q: Would you ever return to voice Ezio in another project if Ubisoft asked?A: “Of course.”
—Source: The Ones Who Came Before
Q: What’s it like coming into long-running worlds?A: It’s a blast and also nerve racking, you gotta make sure what you’re doing is gonna fall in line with what they think is vocal cannon. You’re gonna have critical eyeballs and ears on you.
—Source: The Sound Architect
Q: (As a voice actor), how do you mentally prepare yourself for negative reactions or feedback on your performances?A: “I don’t know about the preparing part, if I’m trying to commit to an act or line, then I’m thinking someone may like or dislike. Trying to find grace in that moment and not want to go on a curse-laden tirade online to some of the comments they make.”
—Source: The Sound Architect—Will Kosmal, Celebrity Q&A Editor