Liam O’Brien is a voice actor, writer and director who has worked on various video games, anime and animation projects.
He is best known for his roles as Illidan Stormrage in the Warcraft series, Gaara in Naruto, Akihiko Sanada in Persona 3 and 4, Asura in Asura’s Wrath, and Caleb Widogast in Critical Role.
Basic Information
| Full Name | Liam Christopher O’Brien |
| Profession | American voice actor, writer, and director |
| Nationality | American |
| Date of Birth | May 28, 1976 |
| Current Age | 47 |
| Gender | Male |
| Place of Birth | Weehawken, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
Physical Stats
| Height | 182 cm |
| Weight | 93 kg |
| Body Measurements | Not publicly available |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Race | White |
| Tattoos on the Body | No |
| Shoe Size | Not publicly available |
| Build | Slim body & square face type |
Past & Current Relationships
O’Brien is married to Amy Kincaid, another voice actor who has worked on several anime and video games.
They have two children together: Owen and Lila. O’Brien often shares pictures and videos of his family on his social media accounts.
O’Brien is also close friends with his fellow voice actors, especially those who are part of Critical Role.
He has collaborated with them on various projects, such as The Legend of Vox Machina, an animated series based on their first D&D campaign.
He also co-hosts All Work No Play, a podcast where he and Sam Riegel talk about their hobbies and interests.
Early Life & Education
Liam O’Brien was born on May 28, 1976, in Weehawken, New Jersey. He was born to Irish parents who immigrated to the United States.
O’Brien has an older brother named Patrick, who is also an actor. Growing up, he lived in a Catholic household and attended St. Peter’s Preparatory School in Jersey City.
From a young age, he developed an interest in literature, history, and mythology.
As he continued to nurture his passion for storytelling and acting, O’Brien participated in several theater productions during his high school and college years.
His journey led him to New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he pursued a degree in acting.
There, he had the opportunity to study under esteemed acting instructors such as Stella Adler and Ron Van Lieu. Additionally, he took classes in voice-over and dialects, broadening his skill set.
In 1998, O’Brien graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, and he attributes his education as the foundation for his development as a voice actor.
He explained in an interview that his training taught him crucial skills, such as breaking down scripts, analyzing characters, uncovering motivations, and making choices that are both captivating and authentic.
Career
Liam O’Brien started his voice acting career in 2001 when he assumed the role of Vincent Law in the anime series Ergo Proxy.
Over the years, his talent has graced a multitude of characters across diverse media, spanning video games, cartoons, and audiobooks.
Among his notable portrayals is Illidan Stormrage, the iconic anti-hero of the Warcraft franchise.
O’Brien’s rendition of Illidan commenced in Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos (2002) and continued through World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade (2007), World of Warcraft: Legion (2016), and World of Warcraft: Shadowlands (2020).
Additionally, he lent his voice to Gaara, the sand-controlling ninja and a central figure in the Naruto series.
This commitment spanned from Naruto (2002) to Naruto Shippuden (2017), extending into various movies and video games associated with the beloved series.
O’Brien’s versatility also shines through his portrayal of Akihiko Sanada, the boxer and Persona user featured in Persona 3 (2006) and Persona 4 Arena (2012).
He further breathed life into Akihiko’s younger self in Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth (2014) and Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight (2018).
In the action-packed game Asura’s Wrath (2012), O’Brien delivers a riveting performance as Asura, the wrathful demigod who valiantly battles gods and monsters to rescue his daughter.
Beyond his roles in traditional voice acting, O’Brien made a significant mark as Caleb Widogast, the complex human wizard and a member of the Mighty Nein in the renowned web series Critical Role.
This show features a group of voice actors engaging in captivating Dungeons & Dragons adventures.
Liam O’Brien’s impact extends beyond his acting talents.
He is a multifaceted professional, known for his work as a voice actor, writer, and director, contributing to various video games, anime, and animation projects.
His prominence in the industry is underscored by iconic roles such as Illidan Stormrage in the Warcraft series, Gaara in Naruto, Asura in Asura’s Wrath, War in Darksiders, Vincent Law in Ergo Proxy, and his memorable portrayal of Caleb Widogast in Critical Role.
Furthermore, he co-founded the voice-over production company V.O.K.A.L., solidifying his influence in the field.
Net Worth
| Net Worth | Estimated to be between $100,000 – $1M to $2.5 million |
| Sources of Income | Voice acting, writing, directing, and podcasting |
| Other Financial Information | He has directed for Resident Evil 6, Resident Evil 5, Evolve, The Last of Us, and Naruto. He has also contributed to over 300 episodes of Naruto as a dialog replacement writer. His voice work spans popular video games like Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor (Gollum), Final Fantasy XIII-2 and Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII (Caius Ballad), Darksiders (War), Asura’s Wrath (Asura), Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes (Ieyasu Tokugawa), World of Warcraft and Heroes of the Storm (Illidan Stormrage), League of Legends (Yasuo), Lost Planet 2 (Zvatto), For Honor (Warden), and Titanfall 2 (Barker) |
Liam O’Brien’s net worth and income are not publicly disclosed, but some estimates suggest that he earns around $50,000 per year as a voice actor.
This figure may vary depending on the number and type of projects he works on, as well as his involvement in other aspects of production such as writing and directing.
Voice actors typically get paid by the hour or by the session, and the rates can range from $100 to $1000 or more depending on the project and the actor’s experience and reputation.
Liam O’Brien has been working as a voice actor since 1999 and has amassed a large portfolio of credits across various media platforms.
He is also a regular cast member of Critical Role, a popular web series where a group of voice actors play Dungeons & Dragons.
Critical Role has a loyal fan base and generates revenue from merchandise sales, live shows, sponsorships, and donations.
Liam O’Brien may also have other sources of income such as royalties, residuals, and personal appearances.
