Mike Pollock

Mike Pollock: The Distinct Voice Behind Doctor Eggman

Mike Pollock, an accomplished American voice actor and former radio personality, has left an indelible mark on the world of voice acting. He is most prominently recognized as the iconic voice of Doctor Eggman in the beloved Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, a role he’s held since 2003. Yet, his talents extend far beyond this character, with his distinctive voice gracing a multitude of anime English dubs and video games.

Career: In the 1990s, Mike Pollock made his way back to New York City and soon found himself cast in various children’s videos, anime productions, and an episode of Pokémon. It was director Eric Stuart who introduced him to Pokémon, eventually leading to recommendations for roles in Kirby: Right Back at Ya!, Ultimate Muscle, and the role of the FoxBox promotion announcer. His debut as a prominent anime character was as Meat in Ultimate Muscle.

However, it was his portrayal of Doctor Eggman that would become truly iconic. He first took on the role in the English dub of Sonic X, where he also lent his voice to Professor Gerald Robotnik. Subsequently, he became the voice of Eggman in the Sonic video game series, starting with the 2005 releases of Shadow the Hedgehog and Sonic Rush. This was part of SEGA’s initiative to maintain vocal consistency across the video game and TV portrayals of Sonic the Hedgehog.

Pollock’s performance as Dr. Eggman has earned accolades and recognition from anime enthusiasts, convention-goers, podcasters, and interviewers. His voice has become synonymous with the character, and he has continued to portray Eggman on various platforms.

In a notable moment, Sega announced a re-casting of the Sonic franchise’s characters, relocating the voice actors to Los Angeles, California. However, Pollock was the exception, as none of the auditioned actors seemed to fit the role of Eggman as he did. This preserved his remarkable portrayal of the character.

Mike Pollock also lent his talent to the TV series Sonic Boom, which premiered on November 8, 2014. His tenure as Doctor Eggman has surpassed that of any other English-speaking actor in the franchise.

Beyond his animated roles, Pollock showcased his versatile vocal abilities as the narrator of Vince Lombardi’s “What It Takes to Be Number One” speech in Teleflora’s Mother’s Day campaign in 2016, featured in a commercial video titled “One Tough Mother.”

Mike Pollock’s journey through the world of voice acting has not only defined beloved characters but has also solidified his presence as a respected and cherished talent in the industry.