Joe Gaudet (as seen on the Ellen Degeneres Show) is a Boston based actor/ comedian who can be heard globally as MANY different celebrities. He is the number one Arnold Schwarzenegger voice double in the world. His ability to alter his voice into many people has landed him lead roles on big network animated series.

Tell us a little about yourself and your experience.

My name is Joe Gaudet.  I am a Boston native who has always had a talent for mimicking other voices and creating characters on my own. I’ve done a lot of theater, television, cartoons and commercials, mainly using my voice.  Currently I star in a popular NBC/Sprout channel cartoon called Astroblast.  I voice Radar the monkey as well as several others in the show.  I also star in Extreme Craft Stick Mayhem on DreamWorksTV and voice roughly 70% of the characters on that show.  I’ve voice doubled for Arnold Schwarzenegger and many Hollywood celebs in the past and love new challenges.

What drove you to choose your career path?

It’s all I ever thought about growing up.  Being an actor, making great stories for audiences.  I love to entertain.  It’s in my blood.  

How did you go about getting your job? What kind of education and experience did you need?

I never went to school for acting, I could never afford the drama/film schools.  I’m mostly self taught.  I started out in a lot of student films and then decided to create my own career instead of waiting around.  So, my good friend KJ Wang helped me buy my first Microphone and I was hooked ever since.  I called studios in Boston telling them I was a voice actor and sought out work on my own. It landed me 3 Network series.  

What do you actually spend the majority of your time doing?

The majority of my time is spent raising my son.  My amazing wife works hard in the stock world and I am fortunate enough to make a great living as a voice actor from the comfort of my home studio, that I don’t have to work everyday.  

What misconceptions do people often have about your job?

That anyone can do it and it’s easy.  It’s not.  I train every single day.  Practicing my diction (I have a very thick Boston accent), I practice impressions, I read, I study other actors.  It’s ACTING.  We don’t just do impressions.  That’s my biggest pet peeve is when people ask me to do impressions and don’t think I’m an actor.  

What are your average work hours?

They’re all over the place. I never work more than 4 hours a day.  A lot of my work is done in Los Angeles, so I usually record in the afternoons because they’re 3 hours behind.  

What personal tips and shortcuts have made your job easier?

Being organized and knowing your scripts and preparing for your next recording session/job.  Because I don’t have an agent, I have to seek out my next gig and stay on top of my game.  

What do you do differently from your coworkers or peers in the same profession?

I’m not so sure of that. Actors and voice actors are very secretive (or at least ones I’ve come across) in sharing their tricks of the trade. I know I work hard. I used to have a full time desk job and worked on no sleep most nights so I could build up my acting career to where that’s the only job I had.  

Do you have any advice for people who need to enlist your services?

Yes.  Hire me!

What's the worst part of the job and how do you deal with it?

Just invoices and keeping track of payments.  Excel and my wife are my two best friends at the end of the month and tax season.

What's the most enjoyable part of the job?

Seeing the smiles.  Hearing kids talk about my character while at the supermarket or the mall and knowing that I had a small part in giving them joy.  

What kind of money can one expect to make at your job?

It all depends.  How bad do you want to succeed.  I do okay.  I’m not one to discuss finances, but I’ve been very fortunate to do what I do and provide for my family on being silly.  

How do you move up in your field?

Networking, hard work and having fun.  

What advice would you give to those aspiring to join your profession? 

Know who you are.  Be genuine and have thick skin, because it’s a lot of rejection.  Remember, all you need is that one “yes” and you’re hooked.

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