My Facebook Chat with Greg Baldwin · 3:26pm Jan 28th, 2019
Hey guys!
I know, it sure does seem like I’ve got something to share with you guys everyday, doesn’t it?
Anyway, I wanted to make my 135th post for here by sharing with you guys something really special that happened in my life last year.
I made Facebook contact with American actor and voice actor Greg Baldwin! The man whom I highly commended for his work in Samurai Jack (Season 5).
To give you guys some recollection, he’s best known for voicing roles done by actor and voice artist Mako Iwamatsu, who’s best known roles in animation come from that of Aku in Seasons 1-4 of Samurai Jack, and General Iroh in Seasons 1-2 Avatar: The Last Airbender. After production of Season 2 of Avatar was complete, Mako died of esophageal cancer on July 21, 2006. It was then that Baldwin decided to step in and make himself known for how well he could fill in for the late actor. From that moment on, he flawlessly took Mako’s place as General Iroh for Season 3 of Avatar, and The Legend of Korra series. He also took Mako’s place as Aku for Season 5 of Samurai Jack in 2017, after the series discontinued for 12 years and 6 months.
I wanted to ask Greg Baldwin a great many things, even though at this time I’ve mostly known him from his work as Aku. I wanted to ask things, like: What was it like to work with Genndy Tartakovsky? How were you able to gain the ability to fill in for Mako? And so much more! All of it being part of learning more about voice acting. I also thought that he was a perfect person to ask, mainly because he currently didn’t have as much work to do and wasn’t as busy as all the big shots like Jim Cummings and Tom Kenny.
Anyway, I thought that the time has now come to show you guys what the experience was like.
Before you start reading it though, I would like to tell you that I wrote everything out like it was a screenplay for a movie, as I felt that it would be too challenging to do it book-styled.
Jan 9, 2018, 2:18 p.m
Me: Mr. Baldwin,
I was wondering if I could ask you a question or more?
(At first, I almost didn’t expect a response considering my experience in trying to message celebrities on Facebook before. But then...)
Greg Baldwin: As long as they're not math questions. I'm terrible at math.
(He responded. Going with the flow, I went ahead and asked him one of my questions.)
Me: I thought that I’d ask questions about voice acting.
By the way, your ability to play the roles that were done before by Mako Iwamatsu is awesome!
How were you able to do that by the way?
Greg Baldwin: It's all about a record. The cast album from a musical Mako was in called "Pacific Overtures." I listened to it so often I learned to do an impression of him!
(After that last message, I remembered that I needed to list out what questions I wanted to ask him because what I just asked him was the only one in my head at the time. Time sort of snuck up on me after that.)
Jan 10, 2018, 6:17 p.m
Me: That’s so cool!
Me: I really loved how you portrayed Aku for Season 5 of Samurai Jack. It gave me this feeling that you not only greatly succeeded Mako, but you were also able to make the character your own as well.
What was it like at the time?
Working with Genndy Tartakovsky and providing the voice of Aku?
Greg Baldwin: Fun...but also a little scary.
Me: Scary?
Greg Baldwin: I didn't want to screw up.
Me: Ahhh. That makes sense. I can tell that it’s not easy.
So, was it scary to be working with Tartakovsky as well?
6:56 p.m
Greg Baldwin: A wonderful man. Brilliant.
Me: That’s great!
(After I made that comment, I found that it was getting late that day, and I decided to talk to him more tomorrow.)
Me: I do have more questions to ask, but, is it okay if I ask them tomorrow? (Not counting this one of course).
Greg Baldwin: Of course.
8:12 p.m
Me: Thanks.
Jan 11, 2018, 1:54 p.m
Me: Hi there. I came back to ask more questions.
I felt curious about something involving Aku in Season 5.
In Season 5, did Aku gain some kind of accent? If so, then, what kind of
accent is it?
5:33 p.m
Me: Are you there?
6:54 p.m
Greg Baldwin: I’m traveling today to the Albuquerque Comicon. Aku was played by Mako for Seasons 1 - 4. I took over in Season 5 after Mako passed away.
(Even though I already knew that sort of thing the whole time and that he probably didn't understand my question, I decided not to move on from that.)
Me: Right.
Me: Okay then.
Another question I wanted to ask was this:
Have you ever been interested in voice acting for roles done by people like Tony Jay and James Hong?
Greg Baldwin: I’d love to if hired.
Me: Yay. I couldn’t help but vision you a lot as the perfect person to replace Tony Jay as Shere Khan, and James Hong as Mr. Ping.
Greg Baldwin: Awesome VO (voiceover) actors!
Me: I know right.
(Before I replied with “I know right”, I had accidentally pushed the Facebook call button while we were talking. It was because I thought that he was calling me. Luckily though, I made a comment that cleared everything up right away.)
Me: Sorry about the call, I, actually almost thought you were gonna call me.
Greg Baldwin: No worries. I’m relaxing in our AirBnb after traveling.
Me: Excellent. I’m glad you go there safely.
I meant got.
Me: Anyway,
Are there animated tv shows and movies that you’ve always wanted to work on? And voice original characters for?
Greg Baldwin: I’d like to do an Aku spin-off. I really love voicing Aku.
Me: Cool.
Me: I guess my last question is this:
Does being a voice actor require having to go to some classes and teachers for it?
Greg Baldwin: Absolutely. The way to become a VO actor is to be an actor.
Me: Ahhh. I was wondering about that.
I’m interested in becoming an actor & voice actor myself someday. A film comedian as well.
(A while after the latest comments we made to one another, I found that I didn’t have anymore questions for Baldwin, and that I had asked all I needed to know about what it’s like to be a voice actor, and to kind of learn about the career choice. So, I decided to conclude and let him relax on his vacation.)
Me: Mr. Baldwin,
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. It meant a lot to me, even as a person who is learning more about acting & voice acting.
Greg Baldwin: My pleasure! Any time! Good luck with all your endeavors!
(After that, we never really messaged one another since.)
Even today, the chat I had with Baldwin is something that I will forever look back fondly on and treasure always. It really touched my heart that he was able to take the time to answer questions by a person who is hoping to become a voice actor himself someday.
I hope you all enjoyed this blog post I made! It feels really great to tell you all about this!
Fun Fact: Ever since he first came to my attention, and ever since this chat, I’ve been wanting to see Baldwin guest star in MLP for quite some time, whether an original character or a character already portrayed by someone.
Wow
Awesome!
I wanted to talk to various VAs as well via many social media platforms, including the MLP voice cast. My first touch with them is that Tabitha St. Germain (Rarity) liked some of my comments in Twitter as well as Cathy Weseluck (Spike), upon telling her out for Stan Lee's death, she put a like on my comment.
I wish I can chat with Colin Trevorrow because I don't have a twitter account.
Cool!