Kari Wahlgren – Rick and Morty

By starrymag | June 27, 2016

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on? 

 

A) There’s a lot of exciting stuff in the works right now.  I’m going to be able to announce a couple of big projects within the next month. But I can say that I’m working on more episodes of “The Fairly Oddparents” and a new show for Nickelodeon called “Bunsen is a Beast,” which will probably start airing next year.  We’re doing more episodes for Netflix of “The Mr. Peabody and Sherman Show.” A new chapter in the ongoing Star Wars Old Republic game is coming out and I’m playing the Female Jedi Knight in that.  And of course, we’re working on Season Three of “Rick and Morty!”

 

Q) Please tell us what is new this coming season on “Rick and Morty” and with your character Jessica.

 

A) I can’t say much, but Jessica is coming back and I’ll also be playing various other parts throughout the season.  I can also say that the show continues to be smart and trippy and so very wrong in all the best ways!

 

Q) What made you want to be a part of the series?

 

A) Justin Roiland and I worked on the cartoon series “Fish Hooks” together and we met at Comic-Con during the run of that show.  I thought he was the coolest, quirkiest guy. The day I met him, we were on our way to do a panel and his knees were totally trashed and bloody because he’d fallen off a stage or something at a party…and he just DID NOT CARE.  I really hoped we’d cross paths again. and when he created “Rick and Morty,” I ended up getting cast as Jessica. It’s been awesome to work with him again and watch him bring the show to life.

 

Q) Was there anything you added to your role that wasn’t originally scripted for you?

 

A) Justin seems to have a pretty clear vision for the show.  It was a nice surprise that he started bringing me in to do a lot of different characters that weren’t originally planned.  I started out as Jessica, but ended up doing the voice of Rick’s spaceship (“Keep Summer Safe!”), the old bartender woman in the first season and basically a ton of random aliens and incidental parts.

 

Q) You have such great comedic timing. Is it something that is a natural ability for you or have you had to work it?

 

A) Aw, thanks! I really love doing comedy. I’m pretty self-deprecating in real life so I like not taking myself too seriously in my creative work…

 

Q) What do you think it is about “Rick and Morty” that has made it such a fan favorite program?

 

A) It’s so smart. And hilarious. And the cast is great.

 

Q) Do you have a preference to doing voice work over screen work?

 

A) I like how limitless voice over is as I play everything from babies to grandmas to three-headed monsters.  You don’t have that kind of freedom on-camera.

 

Q) What has been your favorite role you have done?

 

A) I can never answer that question. It’s too hard.  Maybe it’s…. Nope, I still can’t answer that.

 

Q) What advice would you give someone looking to enter the voiceover world?

 

A) Go to Dee Bradley Baker’s website I Want To Be A Voice Actor!