Wikipedia / Sam Riegel
Wikipedia / Sam Riegel
Samuel Brent Oscar Riegel (born October 9, 1976) is an American voice actor. He is best known for his voice roles as Donatello in the 2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series, Phoenix Wright in the Ace Attorney games, and Teddie from Persona 4. He has also worked for Nickelodeon as the voice director for Fresh Beat Band of Spies and Sanjay and Craig, as well as the voice of Riven in the revival of Winx Club. Since 2015, he has been a regular cast member of the web series Critical Role, in which he and other voice actors play Dungeons & Dragons. In 2022, the show's first campaign was adapted into the animated series The Legend of Vox Machina, followed by the second campaign adaptation The Mighty Nein in 2025.
Early life
Samuel Brent Oscar Riegel was born in Washington, D.C. on October 9, 1976, the son of Lenore and Kurt Riegel. His mother later married author Jerome Charyn. His father works as a radio astronomer, environmental executive, and sailor. Riegel is of Jewish descent, with his grandmother being a Holocaust survivor. He is the older brother of actress Eden Riegel and the younger of filmmaker Tatiana S. Riegel. He grew up in Northern Virginia, where he began performing in local theater at the age of six. He was cast in the touring production of Les Misérables at the age of 11, and performed in The Sound of Music three years later. He also had television roles on Guiding Light and Another World as a teenager, but opted to pursue a career onstage over screen acting as he preferred the live feedback of a theater audience. He joined the Upright Citizens Brigade shortly after graduating from college.
Career
In 2018, Riegel received the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing in an Animated Program for his work on Danger & Eggs.
He is also a cast member of the popular web series Critical Role, in which he and other voice actors play Dungeons & Dragons. Critical Role was both the Webby Winner and the People's Voice Winner in the "Games (Video Series & Channels)" category at the 2019 Webby Awards; the show was also both a Finalist and the Audience Honor Winner at the 2019 Shorty Awards. After becoming hugely successful, the Critical Role cast left the Geek & Sundry network in early 2019 and set up their own production company, Critical Role Productions. Soon after, they aimed to raise $750,000 on Kickstarter to create an animated series of their first campaign, but ended up raising over $11 million. In November 2019, Amazon Prime Video announced that they had acquired the streaming rights to this animated series, now titled The Legend of Vox Machina. Riegel reprises his role as Scanlan Shorthalt. He hosts the All Work No Play podcast and spinoff web series with his Critical Role co-star and best friend Liam O'Brien.
Personal life
Riegel lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Vietnamese-American cinematographer Quyen Tran, and their two children. Prior to his marriage, he converted to Catholicism.
On September 11, 2001, Riegel and Tran witnessed the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. They were caught in the dust cloud formed by the collapse of the South Tower, but eventually escaped to Battery Park, where they witnessed the collapse of the North Tower; Riegel captured video footage that has since been featured in several documentaries. Shortly after the events, they moved to California when Tran was accepted to UCLA.
In July 2024, Riegel revealed that he had been diagnosed with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer earlier in the year and was recovering after undergoing six weeks of radiation therapy and surgery to remove his tonsils alongside parts of his tongue and soft palate, leaving him with a seven-inch scar across his throat.
Filmography
Anime
Year | Title | Role | Crew role, notes | Source |
Tristan Taylor (Ep. 1–10), Rex Raptor (Ep. 2–144), Para, Arkana | 1st voice of Tristan and Rex | |||
Kotaro Makaora | As Jack Lingo | |||
Nonki Hayama | ||||
Wan Derbard | As Sam Riegel | |||
Aoi Mitsukuni | As Jack Lingo | |||
Kazuki Sendou | As Jack LingoAlso specials | |||
Various characters | As Sam Riegel | |||
Tenma Koizumi, Masato Ikeda | ||||
Chuei Totaku, Student A | ||||
Michael Grant, others | As Sam Riegel and Jack Lingo | |||
Lil' Slugger, others | As Sam Riegel | |||
Criminal #2, Cafe Owner, Young Owner | ||||
Faust VIII, Yohmei Asakura | 1st Voice of Faust VIII | |||
Kazuho Yoshii, others | As Sam Riegel | |||
Chang, others | As Sam Riegel and Jack Lingo | |||
Hikoro 'Oihiko' Oikawa, Assassin, others | ||||
Mishter Manager | As Sam Riegel | |||
Hiroto Doma, others | ||||
Souichiro Kadotake, others | As Sam Riegel and Jack Lingo | |||
Yajiro Kojima | As Sam Riegel | |||
Various characters | ||||
Gunter | As Jack Lingo | |||
Eiri's Friend | As Sam Riegel | |||
BGG Member C, Store Manager, Various characters | ||||
Marmalade Boy movie | Manager | |||
Fisherman, Sailor, Toba Islander | ||||
Zaku Abumi, Shino Aburame, others | 1st voice of Shino Aburame |
| ||
Lab Staff, Guard | As Sam Riegel | |||
Various characters | ||||
Impostor Demon, Mob Leader, Gate Guard | ||||
Various characters | ||||
Dennis, Officer, Soldier | ||||
Toshio Mikami, others | As Sam Riegel and Jack LingoAlso Director and Script Adaptation | |||
Various characters | live-action film As Sam Riegel | |||
Masayuki Sanada, Dan Inosato | As Sam Riegel | |||
Male Student A, Male Guest, Person of the Cape, Eichi Hikoyama | ||||
Seishou | ||||
Student | ||||
Purio, others | ||||
Additional voices | As Jack Lingo | |||
Voice director, scriptAs Sam Riegel | ||||
Pull | As Sam Riegel | |||
Klatt, others | ||||
Ashio | ||||
Ino, others | As Sam Riegel | |||
Demon, Taizou | ||||
Various characters | ||||
Taniguchi, Eijirou Ohmori (Appliance Store Owner), others | ||||
Tom Dubius | ||||
2007–08 | Joey, others | |||
Kudamon | ||||
–09 | Minoru Shiraishi, Narration | |||
2008 | ||||
Gusto | As Sam Riegel | |||
as Sam Riegel | ||||
Madoka Maruyama | As Sam Regal | |||
2012 | Wild Geese, Vatican Officers | Ep. 6, 8 | ||
–13 | ||||
Kiyotsugu Kiyojuji | As Sam Riegel | |||
–25 | ||||
Yashiro Isana, Fox Spirit (Current Colorless King) | ||||
BlueMeramon | ||||
–14 | Reggie Mak, others | |||
Motonari Mōri | ||||
–19 | As Sam Riegel also OVA's | |||
Furio Tigre | ||||
One Man, Agents, ISAF Officer |
List of dubbing performances in anime
Animation
Year | Title | Role | Crew role | Notes | Source |
–09 | Donatello, Delivery Man, Utrom, Triceraton Guard, Swordsmith, Zippy Lad, Shellectro, Yellow Triple Threat, Dark Donatello, Mr. Hambrath, Dr. Chaplin, | ||||
–14 | Riven, Acheron, Sphinx, Lu Wei, Rumpelstiltskin | ||||
–16 | Emperor Awesome, Ship Computer, Something the So and So, Cartoon Awesome, Jimmy, Admiral Admirable, Additional Voices | Dialogue Director | |||
–17 | Wilbur, Orville | Into the Hundred Acre Wood! | |||
–18 | Squirrel, Doctor, Smokelee, Royal Builder, Coachman, Yellowbelly, Additional Voices | Dialogue Director | |||
–16 | Voice Director | ||||
–16 | Mate, Pirate Guard, Curtis, Kid #1 (2), Fan (3), Audience Guy | Casting Director and Voice Director | |||
–18 | Sultry Dog, Chent, Salesman, College Professor, Party Goer, Mayor, Cody, Additional Voices | Dialogue Director | |||
–18 | Trystane | Voice Director | |||
–18 | Villager #2, Lew Cregger, Carl, Alien Sam Riegel | Dialogue Director | |||
–2020 | Additional Voices, Referee | ||||
Phillip's Brother, Lt. Second in Command | Casting Director and Voice Director | ||||
–21 | Hack, Slash, Tenderfeet / Gavin, Stinky Boot, Two-Toed Jack, Moonlanders, Gilded Man, Pirates | Dialogue Director | |||
–22 | Male Announcer, Male Narrator, Dying Old Man, Poor Neighbor, Rabbi Katz, Prison Security Guard | ||||
–22 | Ab-Snatchers Actor, Movie Announcer, Blue Frog With Hat, Gary, Janitor, Brown Overalls Frog, Dartboard Frog, Dark Green Male Frog, Glass Artisan, Grub N Go Hirer, Bell Ringer, Chief McClintock, Cop 2, Arrested Civilian, Patrick, Bearded Frog, Neckerchief Betting Frog, Kurt, Neckerchief Frog, Frog DJ, Orange Haired Frog, Vince, Dragonfly Frog, Scared Hat Bittie, Neckerchief Bittie, Brown Slicked Hair Bittie, Bird Seller Trucker, Ushanka Hat Frog, Bartley, Branson, Ant Cream Worker, Gift Shop Worker, Fleafy, Red Eyed Frog, Blue Toad Soldier, Green Frog with Hat, Leander, Tyler, Tyler's Boyfriend, Hat Customer, Bearded Tough Guy Bus Passenger, Glasses Customer, Mitch Harper, Branson, Blair, Butterfly Drone Soldier Prototype, Scared Museum Observer, Worried Amphibians | ||||
–22 | PT-SB, Jerry, Feeble Pilot, Travis | Casting Director and Voice Director | |||
Benny, Athletic Spectator | |||||
–23, 2025 | Vin Voltage | Dialogue Director | Season 1 | ||
–present | Scanlan Shorthalt, Death Knight, Cultist, Various voices | Executive Producer, Writer, and Casting Director | |||
–24 | Voice Director | Season 1 | |||
–25 | Dialogue Director | ||||
–present | Casting Director | ||||
–present | Nott the Brave | Executive Producer, Writer, Casting and Voice Director |
List of voice performances in animation
Films
Year | Title | Role | Crew role, notes | Source |
Isao Ota | As Sam Riegel | |||
Miki | ||||
Flynn Scifo | As Sam Riegel | |||
2003 Donnie | ||||
Bario | ||||
Kung Fucios | ||||
Mori Motonari | ||||
Short Seagull | ||||
Hurricanes | ||||
Jock | ||||
Mark Schneider | ||||
Yashiro Isana | As Sam Riegel |
List of voice performances in direct-to-video and television films
Video games
Year | Title | Role | Crew role, notes | Source |
Josh Carter | ||||
King Jibral, Turbulent Mai | As Sam Regal | |||
Azel, Bruce, Ravel, Sensei, Villagers | ||||
–07 | .hack//G.U. series | Silabus, miscellaneous voices | ||
Allegretto | As Sam Regal | |||
Kudamon, Reppamon, Tyilinmon | ||||
Captain Marcus Black | Credited as Jack Lingo | |||
Edward | As Sam Regal | |||
Flynn Scifo | ||||
Shu Nakajima | ||||
Steve Burnside | ||||
Donatello | ||||
Donatello, Baxter Stockman, Foot Soldiers | ||||
Incisor, System Voice | As Sam Regal | |||
Cocoon Inhabitants | ||||
Jean-Paulet | ||||
Chris Haversam, Ghouls, Additional Voices | As Sam "Jack Lingo" Riegel | |||
Soldiers / Extras | ||||
Motonari Mori, Yoritsuna Anegakōji | ||||
Captain Brent Franklin | As Sam Regal | |||
Teddie, Shu Nakajima | Replaced Dave Wittenberg as Teddie | |||
Enemies | ||||
Jude Mathis | ||||
Stahl, Donnel | As Sam Regal | |||
Marines | ||||
Naruto video games | Baki | |||
Phoenix Wright | ||||
Tennessee Kid Cooper, Red-Eye Robles | ||||
Aftermath Survivor, Survivor Three, Lab Polanski | ||||
Alphinaud Leveilleur | As Sam Regal | |||
Arthur | Also Special | |||
Peter Parker / Spider-Man | ||||
Starscream, Autobot Soldier 02 | ||||
Power Rangers Super Megaforce | Various voices | As Sam Regal | ||
Heodan | As Sam Regal | |||
Griefer | ||||
Braham | ||||
Faraday, Devin, Cole | ||||
Phoenix Wright | ||||
Zed, Zurkon Jr. | ||||
Ultros | ||||
Rex Raptor, Arkana and Para | ||||
Templeton "Faceman" Peck, "Armman" | Credited under "Voice Talent" | |||
Stahl, Raigh, Donnel | As Sam Regal | |||
Rekke | ||||
Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire: Critical Role Pack | Scanlan Shorthalt | |||
Qadim | ||||
Ranger Ross, Victor, Quentin Arlen | ||||
Walker (Male) | As Sam Regal | |||
Ren, Iron Kingdom Soldier, Monk (voice) | ||||
Freedom Finger | Mission Control | |||
2020 | Metal Bat | |||
Gramble Gigglefunny | ||||
2021 | Jakob, additional voices | |||
Phoenix Wright | ||||
2022 | Ifrit, Ultros | |||
Quarantined Pirate | ||||
2023 | ||||
2024 | Additional voices | |||
2025 | ||||
Sweetalker |
List of voice performances in video games
Documentary
Year | Title | Role | Crew role, notes | Source |
"Sam Riegel and Quyen Tran on 9/11" | Himself | Documentary footage on 9/11 attack, used in 102 Minutes That Changed America and other documentaries |
List of acting performances in documentaries
Web series
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Source |
2015–present | Scanlan Shorthalt, Taryon Darrington (campaign 1) | Cast member; Dungeons & Dragons actual play web series | ||
Nott the Brave/Veth Brenatto, Luc Brenatto (campaign 2) | ||||
Fresh Cut Grass (F.C.G.), Braius Doomseed (campaign 3) | ||||
Wicander Halovar (campaign 4) | ||||
2016–21 | Himself | A Critical Role aftershow | ||
2018 | Between the Sheets | Episode: "Between the Sheets: Sam Riegel" | ||
2018–2020 | All Work No Play | A web series where Riegel and Liam O'Brien catch up over a drink and try a new activity each episode. The show was developed from their original AWNP podcast (2012–2017). | ||
2020 | AWNP: Unplugged | A spinoff web series during the COVID-19 pandemic where Riegel and O'Brien caught-up via video chat. | ||
2022 | Loquatius Seelie | Actual play anthology series; 4 episodes | ||
2022–24 | Himself | A Critical Role aftershow | ||
2025 | Actual play limited series; 3 episodes | |||
Snyx | Actual play limited series using the Daggerheart system |
List of appearances in web series
Audio books
Year | Title | Role | Source |
2022 | Veth Brenatto | ||
2025 | Critical Role: Vox Machina – Stories Untold | Narrator, Taryon Darrington |
List of voice performances in audio books
References
External links