Charles Forrest "Spike" Spencer (born on December 21, 1968 in Houston, Texas) is an American voice actor, public speaker, relationship sales trainer, author, and success coach. He is best known for roles in ADV Films dubs such as Shinji Ikari in Neon Genesis Evangelion, Akito Tenkawa in Martian Successor Nadesico, and Shioji in Excel Saga. He has also performed voice acting for radio, especially commercials. His anime character voices tend to be either for timid, shy, or weak characters, or for eccentric and comical ones.
He's also known for voicing Papillon in Buso Renkin, Ginta in MÄR, Hanatarō Yamada in Bleach, Rolo Lamperouge in Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 and Takuma Ichijo in Vampire Knight and Vampire Knight Guilty.
Biography
Spencer attended the University of Houston for four years. After doing a number of independent films, he met Amanda Winn Lee, who suggested he audition for anime English dubbing at ADV Films. Spencer first landed a supporting role of Prime Minister Mikoshiba in Super Atragon, then a leading role of Takateru in Suikoden Demon Century, and finally, in August 1996, the role of Shinji Ikari in Neon Genesis Evangelion. After ADV Films' collapse, FUNimation Entertainment acquired the rights to the newly released Evangelion Movies. As part of Funimation's goal to get the service of the original voice actors from shows and movies they acquired distributing rights for, Spike reprised Shinji in the movies.
Spencer has done commercials for Houston Cellular, Applebee's, Kroger, Chevrolet, and Subway. Spencer has done additional acting in live-action films and in TV series such as The Big Easy.
Spencer also travels the world with his panel, Don't Kill Your Date (and Other Cooking Tips), which teaches Spencer's trademark "food game," giving dating advice for men, cooking tips, and easy dinner recipes. Spencer's dating tips have been featured in USA Today and Men's Health. He also frequently writes dating tips for Neil Strauss, Carlos Xuma, and Singles Warehouse.
In 2006, Spike Spencer relocated from Houston to Los Angeles, California.
Spencer was once married to Kendra Benham, who worked alongside him in Neon Genesis Evangelion as Maya Ibuki; the two divorced in 2006. Spencer holds a brownbelt in aikido and a 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Spencer is currently married to multi-passionate entrepreneur, owner of Fitness with Kim and CrownYourself.com, screenwriter, Kim MacKenzie, a former Miss California contestant and Miss Norway 2014 in the Queen of the Universe Pageant, as of October 4, 2014. He is a foodie and has a website called DontKillYourDate.com. Spike and Kim have one child, named Declan, who was born on July 29, 2017.
Filmography
Live-Action Dubbing
TV Series
- Violetta (2012-2015) - Matías LaFontaine
- Better than Us (2018) - Alexander Goronenko, Beard, Guy 1 (ep. 1), Valash (ep. 1), Vasily (ep. 1), Hospital Security 1 (ep. 11), Male Radio Guest (ep. 11)
Films
- Battle Royale (2000) - Yoshitoki Kuninobu
- Death Kappa (2010) - Fukudome
Animation Dubbing
Animated Films
- The Adventures of Panda Warrior (2012) - Billy Beakman
- Cinderella: Once Upon a Time in The West (2012) - Additional Voices
Anime Dubbing
Anime
- Blue Seed (1994-1995) - Reporter (ep. 13), Detective (ep. 14), Drunk (ep. 14), Commander (ep. 17), Gang Member B (ep. 17), Policeman (ep. 18), Additional Voices
- Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995-1996) - Shinji Ikari, Movie Actor 2 (ep. 4)
- Martian Successor Nadesico (1996-1997) - Akito Tenkawa, Gyappy the Vampire (ep. 5), Additional Voices
- Sailor Moon Sailor Stars (1996-1997) - Jun Godai/Sailor Sommelier (ep. 184)
- Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 (1998-1999) - Mackey Stingray, Special Vocal Effects (ep. 20), Additional Voices
- Cyber Team in Akihabara (1998) - Senpai (ep. 9), Sumi (eps. 9 & 25), Additional Voices
- Sorcerous Stabber Orphen (1998-1999) - Majic Lin
- Excel Saga (1999-2000) - Shioji Gojo, Dog (ep. 8), Susumu Shikiri (ep. 9), Taikomochi (ep. 10), Basketball Player (ep. 11), Monkeys (ep. 11), Student (ep. 11), Weird Sounds (ep. 11), Additional Voices
- Sorcerous Stabber Orphen: Revenge (1999-2000) - Majic Lin, Red Robber (ep. 7), Meat-Bun Boss (ep. 8)
- Steel Angel Kurumi (1999-2000) - Two-Tone (eps. 1, 4), Scientist (ep. 14), Manager (ep. 15), Ticket Taker (ep. 16), Shrinesman (ep. 17)
- Full Metal Panic! (2002) - Shouta Sakamoto, Takuma Kugayama, Submarine Officer (ep. 3), Subordinate A (ep. 16), Additional Voices
- Bleach (2004-2012) - Hanataro Yamada, Di Roy Rinker, Szayel's Fraccion (ep. 164), Additional Voices
- Gantz (2004) - Greenonion Child (eps. 3-4), Additional Voices
- Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny (2004-2005) - Vino Dupré (NYAV Post Dub)
- Doraemon (2005-present) - Ace Goody, Cop A (ep. 2), Football Kid (ep. 4), Boy with Glasses (ep. 5), Boy (ep. 9), Monkey (ep. 37), Crook (ep. 44)
- MÄR (2005-2007) - Ginta Toramizu, Monkey 2 (ep. 2)
- Kekkaishi (2006-2008) - Mamezo
- Naruto Shippūden (2007-2017) - Tango, Communications Team Ninja, Allied Ninja (ep. 264), Intel Unit Ninja (ep. 264), Allied Ninja (ep. 284), Council Member #3 (ep. 285), Bill Collector (ep. 286), Nokizaru Troop Ninja (ep. 287), Shun (ep. 330), Yatogo Ryugen (ep. 335)
- Blade of the Immortal (2008) - Itto-ryu Servant (ep. 3)
- Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 (2008) - Rolo Lamperouge, Additional Voices
- Vampire Knight (2008) - Takuma Ichijō, Day Class Student (ep. 2), Vampire (ep. 4)
- Vampire Knight Guilty (2008) - Takuma Ichijō, Day Class Student (ep. 10)
- Durarara!! (2010) - Saburo Togusa, Yellow Scarf Member, Yellow Scarf A (ep. 5), Gamer #2 (ep. 7), Student #1 (ep. 10), Student #3 (ep. 10)
- Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan (2010) - Karasu Tengu
- B-Daman Crossfire (2011-2012) - Gunner Arano
- Hunter x Hunter (2011-2014) - Gido, Audience (ep. 36), Additional Voices
- Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan: Demon Capital (2011) - Karasu Tengu
- Wolverine (2011) - Madripoor Thug (ep. 9)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal (2011-2014) - Caswell (Bang Zoom! Dub)
- Coppelion (2013) - No-sense, JGSDF Officer (ep. 1)
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders (2014-2015) - Cursed Doll (ep. 8)
- Knights of Sidonia (2014-2015) - Kouchi Tusuruuchi, Trainee (ep. 2), Pilot (eps. 7-10, 12)
- Dragon Ball Super (2015-2018) - Majin Buu, Gregory (eps. 4-5) (Bang Zoom! Dub)
- Durarara!!x2 (2015-2016) - Saburō Togusa, Takashiaki Kazamoto, Biker Gang A, Dollar (ep. 1), Blue Square Member (ep. 12), Man in Crowd #2 (ep. 13), Voice of Ikebukuro (ep. 16)
- Lupin the 3rd Part IV (2015-2016) - Police Officer (ep. 14), Kosuke Holmes Akechi (ep. 21)
- Ajin: Demi-Human (2016) - Hoodlum B (ep. 2)
- Bungo Stray Dogs (2016-2019) - Junichirō Tanizaki
- Boruto: Naruto Next Generations (2017-present) - Inojin Yamanaka, Bad Boy C (ep. 1), Motorman (ep. 1), Fireworks Factory Head (ep. 10), Lost & Found Attendant (ep. 17), Reporter (ep. 24), Hachiya's Friend (ep. 27), Manager (ep. 34)
- Ultramarine Magmell (2019) - DJ Z (ep. 10)
- Cagaster of an Insect Cage (2020) - Trade District Director, Additional Voices
- Bungo Stray Dogs Wan! (2021) - Junichirō Tanizaki
Anime Shorts
- Pokémon Generations (2016) - Rocket Grunt (ep. 4)
OVAs & Specials
- Megazone 23 - Part III (1989) - Bud (ADV Dub)
- Ellcia (1992-1993) - Fonk
- Battle Angel Alita (1993) - Yugo (ADV Dub)
- Suikoden Demon Century (1993) - Takateru Suga
- Gunsmith Cats (1995-1996) - Gray, Additional Voices
- Burn-Up W (1996) - Jackal Head (eps. 5-6), Additional Voices
- Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas (2009-2011) - Worm Raimi
- Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (2010-2014) - Daryl McGuinness (ep 4), Operator (ep. 4), Communication (ep. 6), Operator (ep. 7)
- Code Geass: Akito the Exiled (2012-2016) - Rolo Lamperouge (ep. 5)
- Pokémon Origins (2013) - Squirtle (ep. 1), Team Rocket Member #2 (ep. 2)
Anime Films
- Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth (1997) - Shinji Ikari
- Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (1997) - Shinji Ikari
- Martian Successor Nadesico: The Motion Picture – Prince of Darkness (1998) - Akito Tenkawa
- Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone (2007) - Shinji Ikari
- Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance (2009) - Shinji Ikari
- Redline (2009) - Void Do
- Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo (2012) - Shinji Ikari, Additional Voices
- Black Butler: Book of the Atlantic (2017) - Snake
- Ni no Kuni (2019) - Toru Shinozaki
- Evangelion 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (2021) - Shinji Ikari
Video Game Dubbing
- Yggdra Union: We'll Never Fight Alone (2006) - Milanor
- Rune Factory: Frontier (2008) - Danny, Erik, Gelwein, Kross, Tsubute
- BlazBlue: Continuum Shift (2009) - Hazama, Arakune
- Puyo Puyo Tetris (2014) - Maguro Sasaki, Ecolo, Onion Pixy
- Tales of Berseria (2016) - Devout Man, Trader
- Persona 5 (2016) - Psychiatrist, Additional Voices
- Puyo Puyo Champions (2018) - Maguro Sasaki, Lagnus the Brave
- Fire Emblem: Three Houses (2019) - Additional Voices
- Shenmue III (2019) - Additional Voices
- Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 (2020) - Maguro Sasaki, Ecolo
External Links
- Spike Spencer at the Internet Movie Database
- Spike Spencer at the Anime News Network's encyclopedia