Kenny James

Kenneth Wendell James Jr. (born July 14, 1963) is an American voice actor. He is best known for voicing Bowser in the Super Mario video game series since Super Mario Strikers.

Career
Kenny was raised in Southeast Texas and grew up playing on the beaches of Galveston and running through the surrounding pine forests of Sam Rayburn Lake. Always wanting to be part of something bigger, he joined the US Navy 7 months prior to his high school graduation. Upon graduating, boot camp in San Diego followed. Kenny served 6 years in the Submarine Service, completing 8 Strategic Deterrent Patrols aboard USS Ohio (SSBN 726) Blue Crew and achieved the rate of Sonar Technician First Class (E-6). After an Honorable Discharge, he worked for government contractors supporting the BQQ-6 sonar system.

It was during the first couple of years after the Navy that Kenny began to pursue the performance arts, buying a drum kit and driving his first wife bonkers. She eventually told him that he could sing better that he could play drums. Taking this opinion to heart, he began to seek bands that were looking for a singer. He sang for various bands for over a decade.

Always looking for a way to gain attention, he created a voice over website and started recording small projects at home. Gaining the attention of the right person at the right time, an audition for Bowser was recorded. Being cast as Bowser was a big surprise, but a challenge he was ready for. Beginning in 2004, Super Mario Strikers was the first title recorded.

Having a need to perform, Kenny decided to begin auditioning for local theater. The acting bug bit and he spent the next 15 years performing in live theater. Performances included comedies, musicals, dramas and an opera.

Kenny continued to work a "regular" job for about a decade after becoming the voice of Bowser. He now has become a full-time voice actor and is branching into animation and English dubbing of Japanese anime for Funimation Entertainment. He also makes appearances at conventions encompassing many genres.

With the kids grown, Kenny and his wife, Christina, spoil their pet(s) and eat too much!

Anime

 * One Piece (1999-present) - Miyagi
 * Attack on Titan (2013-present) - Fritz
 *  Invaded (2020) - Additional Voices
 * Back Arrow (2021) - Additional Voices
 * Ranking of Kings (2021-present) - Geslan (ep. 2)
 * The Heike Story (2021) - Additional Voices

OVAs & Specials

 * Grisaia: Phantom Trigger (2019) - Hitoyoshi