Philece Sampler

Debra Philece Sampler (July 16, 1953 - July 1, 2021) was an American voice actress and television actress. She got her start on the serial Days of Our Lives and the soap opera Another World. She had also voiced in various characters in English-language dubs of Japanese anime and animation.

Philece's vocal range had demonstrated the ability to play male roles (Cody from Digimon), old women roles (Tiptory in Eureka Seven and Toph in The Legend of Korra), as well as being able to use her normal voice in many roles.

Biography
After graduating from the University of North Texas in 1975 with a drama degree, she went to Hollywood and quickly landed guest roles in a few TV movie and TV series, including the 1978 series The Incredible Hulk in season 4, episode 61 titled "The Dark Side".

Sampler first made a name of herself playing Renée DuMonde on the soap Days of Our Lives. The Renee character became the focus of a major 1983 murder mystery, resulting in one of the most spectacular send-offs in daytime history. After leaving Days of our Lives in September 1983, she went on to the TV series Rituals, which ran from 1984–1985. The show also starred future soap stars Mary Beth Evans (Kayla, Days) and Jon Lindstrom (Kevin, GH), as well as veteran soap star Kin Shriner (ex-Scotty, GH; ex-Brian, B&B) and Tina Louise (Ginger from Gilligan's Island.) After Rituals, Philece went on to Another World in 1986 to play Donna Love, a role she took over from originating actress Anna Stuart. She left AW in 1989 when Stuart reclaimed the role. She had a couple of guest-starring roles on T. J. Hooker as Sue Ann and on Hunter as Casey. She then took a sabbatical to Japan with her then-fiance. She returned to the US with a few screenplays and formed Philman Entertainment, a production company.

Sampler worked as associate producer of the Los Angeles stage hit Sordid Lives by Del Shores. She performed in UPN's animated series, The Incredible Hulk, as the voice of Betty Ross. She remained pals with her former Days of our Lives love-interest Gregg Marx (David Banning). She did a voice on Nickelodeon's Rugrats, where she played Emma (Chuckie's love interest) in the episode "He Saw, She Saw". She later voiced Francine, a character from the Rugrats spin-off series All Grown Up! and was well known for voicing Cody Hida and Mimi Tachikawa in the anime series Digimon.

Philece was married on July 10, 1999, to her old flame, Larry Dean, whom she first dated 20 years ago.

Philece died at her home on July 1, 2021, 15 days before her birthday. It was the result of a heart attack.

TV Series

 * Family Business (2019-present) - Additional Voices
 * The Bonfire of Destiny (2019) - Gouvernante (ep. 7), Additional Voices
 * Home for Christmas (2019) - Jorid, Additional Voices
 * Unstoppable (2020) - Additional Voices

Films

 * Black Angel (1997) - Chiaki's Aide
 * Art of the Devil (2004) - Kamala
 * A Fortunate Man (2018) - Additional Voices
 * Live Twice, Love Once (2019) - Additional Voices

Animated Series

 * The Wisdom of the Gnomes (1987-1988) - Sonya (ep. 6), Sarah (ep. 7) , Ling Chi's Mother (ep. 10)
 * The Return of Dogtanian (1989) - Woman (ep. 19)
 * Jason and the Heroes of Mount Olympus (2001) - Additional Voices
 * Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir (2015-2021) - Sabine Cheng, Ms. Mendeleiev, Chaperone (ep. 14)

Animated Specials

 * Miraculous World (2020-2021) - Ms. Mendeleiev, Sabine Cheng

Animated Films

 * The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (2004) - Bits, Additional Voices
 * Pororo to the Cookie Castle (2004) - Loopy
 * Pororo's Treasure Island Adventure (2019) - Loopy

Anime

 * Lupin the 3rd Part 2 (1977-1980) - Blonde Woman (ep. 16), Wake-up Call (ep. 16) , Girl A (ep. 67) , Nina (ep. 68)
 * The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1980) - Aunt Polly
 * Grimm's Fairy Tale Classics (1987-1989) - Helga's Sister (ep. 5), Additional Voices
 * Marmalade Boy (1994-1995) - Assistant Principal Kyoto, Hostess (ep. 53), Girl Student B (ep. 54) , Girl Student 1 (ep. 55) , Kei's Mother (ep. 64)
 * Rurouni Kenshin (1996-1998) - Misao Makimachi, Sakura, Yuki, Akane (ep. 43), Shinta (ep. 77) , Additional Voices (Media Blasters Dub)
 * Vampire Princess Miyu (1997-1998) - Kanno (ep. 8), Yoko (ep. 11) , Aquarium Director (ep. 15) , Housewife (ep. 15) , Yui-Li's Mother (ep. 16) , Miyu's Mother (eps. 22, 26)
 * Flint the Time Detective (1998-1999) - Monique (ep. 13)
 * Arc the Lad (1999) - Robby (ep. 19)
 * Digimon: Digital Monsters (1999-2000) - Mimi Tachikawa, Koromon (ep. 16)
 * Great Teacher Onizuka (1999-2000) - Tomoko Nomura, Hidemi Ohta, Miyabi's Mother (eps. 32-33)
 * Argentosoma (2000-2001) - Ai
 * Brigadoon (2000-2001) - Additional Voices
 * Digimon 02 (2000-2001) - Cody Hida, Mimi Tachikawa, Catherine Deneuve, Anna, Palmon (ep. 47), Cody's Daughter (ep. 50)
 * DinoZaurs (2000) - Rena, Drago Dactyl
 * Love Hina (2000) - Tsuruko Aoyama (ep. 25)
 * Mon Colle Knights (2000) - Fishman (ep. 2)
 * Shinzo (2000) - Binka, Kiri
 * Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2000) - Kelly, RFG Attendant (ep. 3), Gas Attendant (ep. 9) , Pit Team Member (ep. 10) , Married Woman (ep. 11)
 * Vandread (2000) - Barnette Orangello
 * Babel II: Beyond Infinity (2001) - Linda (ep. 6)
 * Digimon Tamers (2001-2002) - Yoshie Matsuki, Alice McCoy, Woman (ep. 17)
 * Figure 17 (2001-2002) - Mina Sawada
 * Haré+Guu (2001) - Haré
 * Mahoromatic: Automatic Maiden (2001) - Mother on Bus (ep. 1), Yukie Sakura (ep. 3) , Beach Girl (ep. 4) , Mother (ep. 4) , Sales Woman (ep. 4) , TV Reporter (ep. 4)
 * s-CRY-ed (2001) - Shoka Tokonatsu
 * Samurai Girl: Real Bout High School (2001) - Madoka Mitsuragi
 * Vandread: The Second Stage (2001) - Barnette Orangello
 * X (2001-2002) - Yuzuriha Nekoi, Tokiko Magami, Additional Voices
 * Tenchi Muyo! GXP (2002) - Yoshiko Yamada (eps. 1-2)
 * Ai Yori Aoshi (2002) - Taeko Minazuki, Tsurube, Sankaku, Clothes Store Worker (ep. 16), Female Clerk (ep. 22) , Additional Voices
 * Digimon Frontier (2002-2003) - Shinya Kanbara, Tomoko Kimura, Floramon (ep. 4), Burgermon (ep. 39)
 * Duel Masters (2002-2006) - Mai Kirifuda (eps. 53-65)
 * Gun Frontier (2002) - Mistress (ep. 9), Taro (ep. 10) , Yoneko (ep. 10)
 * Overman King Gainer (2002-2003) - Elizabeth, Additional Voices
 * The Twelve Kingdoms (2002-2003) - Gobo, Additional Voices
 * Ai Yori Aoshi ~Enishi~ (2003) - Taeko Minazuki, Additional Voices
 * Bottle Fairy (2003) - Sarara
 * Gad Guard (2003-2004) - Additional Voices
 * Last Exile (2003) - Alister Agrew, Young Claus Valca
 * Møuse (2003) - Additional Voices
 * Please Twins! (2003) - Futaba Mashita, Additional Voices
 * Wolf's Rain (2003) - Little Indian Girl (ep. 19)
 * Zatch Bell! (2003-2006) - Lori, Additional Voices
 * Battle B-Daman (2004) - Mie Delgado
 * Bleach (2004-2012) - Ayame, Waineton (ep. 83)
 * Fafner (2004) - Kiyomi Kaname
 * Hanaukyo Maid Team: La Verite (2004) - Dressing Maid (ep. 1), Foot Dept. Maid A (ep. 1) , Girlfriend (ep. 4) , Mother (ep. 4)
 * Kyo Kara Maoh! (2004-2006) - Nicola
 * Mars Daybreak (2004) - Anya
 * Samurai Champloo (2004-2005) - Sawa (ep. 5), Additional Voices
 * Tweeny Witches (2004-2005) - Obecitus
 * Viewtiful Joe (2004-2005) - Silvia, Old Woman (ep. 5)
 * Eureka Seven (2005-2006) - Tiptory
 * Rozen Maiden Träumend (2005-2006) - Mitsu Kusabue
 * Idaten Jump (2005-2006) - Kakeru Sakamaki, Masumi Yamato, Rika, Ken (Female Voice; ep. 3), Mother (ep. 13) , Jero's Sister (ep. 14)
 * Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (2006-2007) - Hostage (ep. 2), Teacher (ep. 21) , Additional Voices
 * Digimon Data Squad (2006-2007) - Nanami, Thomas' Mother (ep. 15)
 * Tokko (2006) - Sakura Rokujo
 * Blue Dragon (2007-2008) - Valkyrie
 * Lucky☆Star (2007) - Hiyori Tamura
 * Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit (2007) - Matchmaker (ep. 11), Additional Voices
 * Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 (2008) - Observer (ep. 3), Broadcaster (ep. 4)
 * Blue Exorcist (2011) - Ryuji Suguro (young), Shiemi's Grandmother (ep. 4)
 * Kill la Kill (2013-2014) - Mataro Mankanshoku
 * JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders (2014-2015) - Suzie Q
 * The Seven Deadly Sins (2014-2021) - Mead (ep. 2)
 * Dragon Ball Super (2015-2018) - Goten, Piiza (eps. 13-15), Young Goku (ep. 16) (Bang Zoom! Dub)
 * Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans (2015-2017) - Sakura Pretzel
 * Berserk (2016-2017) - Flora, Nico
 * Konosuba! God's Blessing on This Wonderful World (2016-2017) - Older Woman Axis Cultist
 * Mob Psycho 100 (2016-2019) - Mob's Mother, Kaito Shiratori, Female Student C (ep. 2), Member (ep. 10)
 * Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga (2017) - Ryuji Suguro (young)
 * Aggretsuko (2018-present) - Additional Voices
 * Sword Art Online: Alicization (2018-2020) - Sister Azalia, Additional Voices
 * SWORDGAI The Animation (2018) - Kei
 * The Promised Neverland (2019-2021) - Lannion, Grandmother Sarah
 * Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2019) - Rokuta Kamado (ep. 1)
 * Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files: Rail Zeppelin Grace (2019) - Inorai Valualeta Atroholm (ep. 13)
 * Vinland Saga (2019-present) - Additional Voices (Netflix Dub)
 * Ghost in the Shell: SAC 2045 (2020-present) - Brenda Rucker
 * Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon (2020-present) - Hikomaru & Chiyo's Grandmother (ep. 11)

Anime Shorts

 * Leave it to Kero! (2000) - Spinel

OVAs & Specials

 * Here is Greenwood (1991-1993) - Sumire Hasukawa, Dorm Lady, Student in Nurses Office (ep. 1), Miya's Friend C (ep. 5) , Teacher (ep. 6) (Bang Zoom! Dub)
 * Idol Project (1995-1997) - Layla, Additional Voices
 * éX-Driver (2000-2001) - Lorna Endō
 * X: Episode 0 (2001) - Yuzuriha Nekoi
 * ÉX-Driver: Nina & Rei Danger Zone (2002) - Additional Voices
 * Midnight Sleazy Train (2002-2003) - Reiko Hayama, Emi, Schoolgirl (ep. 1)
 * Darling (2003) - Kozue Irie, Minori Makoto, Woman (ep. 3)
 * Early Reins (2003) - Janet, Additional Voices
 * Rozen Maiden Ouvertüre (2006) - Mitsu Kusabue
 * Tweeny Witches: The Adventures (2007) - Iga

Anime Films

 * Mobile Suit Gundam F91 (1991) - Manuela Panopa
 * Pom Poko (1994) - Additional Voices
 * Gundress (1999) - Silvia Kakihana
 * Cardcaptor Sakura The Movie 2: The Sealed Card (2000) - Kaho Mizuki
 * Digimon: The Movie (2000) - Mimi Tachikawa, Cody Hida, Grandma Ishida
 * Digimon: Revenge of Diaboromon (2001) - Cody Hida, Mimi Tachikawa
 * Sakura Wars: The Movie (2001) - Tsubaki Takamura
 * Tokyo Godfathers (2003) - Mrs. Kurumizawa, Mrs. Yamanouchi, Additional Voices
 * A Letter to Momo (2011) - Great Auntie
 * Air Bound (2015) - Additional Voices (Bang Zoom! Dub)
 * Digimon Adventure tri. (2015-2018) - Mimi Tachikawa
 * Ni no Kuni (2019) - Pub Mistress
 * Demon Slayer: Mugen Train (2020) - Rokuta Kamado

Video Game Dubbing

 * Xenosaga Episode I (2002) - Additional Voices
 * .hack//G.U. Vol. 3//Redemption (2007) - Additional Voices
 * BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger (2008) - Taokaka
 * BlazBlue: Continuum Shift (2009) - Taokaka
 * God Eater Burst (2010) - Ren
 * Mary Skelter: Nightmares (2016) - Clara
 * The Witch and the Hundred Knight 2 (2017) - Isabel
 * Mary Skelter 2 (2018) - Clara
 * AI: The Somnium Files (2019) - Mayumi
 * Shenmue III (2019) - Additional Voices
 * Deadly Premonition 2: A Blessing in Disguise (2020) - Mrs. Carpenter
 * Mary Skelter: Finale (2020) - Clara
 * Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: The Hinokami Chronicles (2021) - Rokuta Kamado
 * Rune Factory 5 (2021) - Yuki

Trivia

 * Due to Philece Sampler's passing in 2021, her various ongoing roles were recast.
 * Anne Yatco replaced her as Sabine Cheng in Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir starting with the fourth season and Mia in Fire Emblem Heroes starting with her Budding Blade alt.
 * Katie Leigh replaced her as Meed in The Seven Deadly Sins starting with the fifth season.