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Ryan Drummond

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Ryan Drummond
Born
Ryan Shawn Drummond

(1973-01-10) January 10, 1973 (age 53)[1]
Lima, Ohio, U.S.[1]
Other nameShawn Silver
EducationEastern Michigan University (BA)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
  • singer
Years active1980–present
Spouse(s)
Lisa Drummond
​
​
(m. 2002; div. 2019)​

Abby Drummond
​
(m. 2019)​
Children2
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentsVocals
Member ofThe A.Y.U. Quartet
Comedy career
Medium
  • Film
  • television
  • theatre
Genres
Websitewww.ryandrummond.com (archive)

Ryan Shawn Drummond (born January 10, 1973)[1][2][3] is an American actor, comedian and singer, best known for his role as the original English voice of Sonic the Hedgehog in the Sonic the Hedgehog video game franchise from 1998 to 2004.[2][3][4]

Early life

[edit]

Ryan Shawn Drummond was born in Lima, Ohio, on January 10, 1973.[1] He attended Clague Middle School in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he participated in various children's theatre, beginning in 1980 at seven years old.[3][5] Both of his parents also worked in theatre, his mother and father was both actors and theatre directors of the children theatre plays that Ryan participated in while in school.[3]

In 1993, he got his first paid acting job at a dinner theater while still attending college.[2] He graduated from the Eastern Michigan University in 1995, with a degree in theater.[3] Upon graduating, he moved to San Diego, California in 1996 to pursue his acting career.[2][6]

Career

[edit]

In 1997, Drummond got his first television acting role as DJ Johnny Jam in an episode of the television drama series Baywatch. He would later star in several other television shows, such as Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place, The Chronicle, The Invisible Man, Point Pleasant and Trauma. He also made a guest appearance in an episode on The Rosie O'Donnell Show in December 1998, during the Toys For Tots segment.[3] In film, he made his feature film debut in the 2000 teen cheerleading comedy film, Bring It On, as Theatre Boy.[7]

As a voice actor, he has provided many character voices in various video games titles.[8] In 1998, he became the voice of Sonic the Hedgehog in the video games series for Sega. When auditioning for the role, he was asked by the voice director, "You see that picture of Sonic the Hedgehog on the wall there? If you could imagine a voice coming out of him, what would it sound like?" Drummond stated that he had no time to think and decided to give him a "speedy teenage hedgehog voice",[9] and that Sonic's personality was summarized in four words as "cool, blue, rebellious teenager".[10] A week later, the casting director called him up and said he got the part.[9]

He continued to voice the character for six more years until 2004, in the video games Sonic Adventure, Sonic Adventure 2, Sonic Heroes, Sonic Shuffle, Sonic Battle, Sonic Advance 3 and Sega Superstars, as well as in commercials for Sega Dreamcast and McDonald's, and in a episode of the talk show The Rosie O'Donnell Show.[2][3][11][12][13][14][15] He also voiced Knuckles the Echidna in Sonic Shuffle, Metal Sonic in Sonic Heroes, and briefly voiced Shadow the Hedgehog for a few lines in Sonic Adventure 2.[16][17][18]

Additionally, he also voiced Elliot Ballade in Blue Stinger, Insider in AirBlade, Bill Bardi in The Godfather II, J. Edgar Hoover and various other characters in Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth, Kevin Kertsman in Illbleed and has recently voiced the Doctor character in Mafia: Definitive Edition, where he also did the motion-capture.[8]

Drummond initially wanted to play Sonic in the anime adaptation Sonic X, and even offered to move to New York so he could play the role, 4Kids instead hired Jason Griffith who later became his successor.[19][2]

In an interview, Drummond stated that he was offered the chance by Sega to re-audition as Sonic during the development of Sonic Generations, but he rejected the role because Sega refused to give him a union contract.[20][9]

He also did acting and voice work in commercials, such as The Padres, Wheel Of Fortune, Ocean's Eleven, Checkmate Inc., Clear Factor Skincare, Hoist Fitness Systems, and Diedrich Coffee.[15][21][22] Additionally, he has done voices for theme parks including SeaWorld Orlando as Shamu for a few years and has also provided various background voices in Legoland California.[4]

Outside of acting, Drummond has also worked in comedy, such as a mime artist and a clown.[2]

Today, Drummond mainly works in theatre. He starred in a musical comedy theatre show in San Diego titled Forever Plaid.[23] He would later star in many other musical theatre productions, such as Godspell, Into the Woods, City of Angels, Zhivago, The Producers, Hairspray, The Wedding Singer, Anything Goes, Singin' in the Rain, Mary Poppins, Sunday in the Park with George, Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus and most recently, Groundhog Day.[24][3][25][26]

In 2020, Drummond would once again reprise his role as the voice of Sonic in the radio fan web-series Sonic and Tails R.[27][28]

In 2025, Drummond and his second wife Abby founded the talent agency The Gold Ring Agency,[29] as a way for events to book appearances of Drummond and other Sonic Adventure series voice actors like David Humphrey and Scott Dreier.[30]

Music career

[edit]

Drummond is a member and the bass vocalist in the music group, The A.Y.U. Quartet.[2] Together, the music group has released three albums.[5]

Personal life

[edit]

Upon moving to San Diego, California, Drummond met his first wife Lisa.[2] They were married on October 8, 2002, and together, they have two sons.[2] In 2019, they had divorced, and on October 30, 2019, Drummond married his second wife Abby.[29][31] He currently resides in San Francisco, California.[32]

Drummond would update his fans about his personal life from time to time on his online blog.[33]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2000Bring It OnTheatre Boy[7]
2001Poor ManMimeShort film[7]
2002Trial By PiesN/a[7]
2003Miniature SunN/a[7]
2004The Color Of CorruptionN/a[7]
2005Man of the HouseN/a[7]
2008Based on a True StoryHunter[7]

Television

[edit]
YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
1997BaywatchDJ Johnny JamEpisode: "Baywatch at Sea World"[14]
1998Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza PlaceIsaac GlicksteinEpisode: "Two Guys, a Girl and an Elective"[14]
1999The Rosie O'Donnell ShowSonic the HedgehogVoice; Season 4, Episode 69[3][14]
2001The ChronicleAndyEpisode: "What Gobbles Beneath"[14]
The Invisible ManMime, ScientologistEpisodes: "Money for Nothing: Part 2", "Immaterial Girl"[14]
2002Art of BetrayalN/a1 episode[14]
2004Veronica MarsRogerEpisode: "You Think You Know Somebody"[14]
2005Point PleasantBooth VendorEpisode: "Hell Hath No Fury Like a Woman Choked"[14]
2009TraumaFair PatronEpisode: "All's Fair"
2011Dual SuspectsRobert EvansEpisode: "Fast Food Fatality"

Video games

[edit]
YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
1997The Three Decoders: Riddle of the RingSheldon[2]
The Three Decoders 2: Key to the Carousel[2]
1998Sonic AdventureSonic the Hedgehog[4][8]
1999Nancy Drew: Stay Tuned for DangerRick Arlen[8]
Blue StingerEliot Ballade[8]
Twisted Metal 4Pizza Boy[8]
2000Evil Dead: Hail to the KingMerchant[8]
Danger GirlAdditional voices
The MummyJonathan Carnahan
Sonic ShuffleSonic the Hedgehog, Knuckles the EchidnaCredited as Shawn Silver for Knuckles the Echidna[4][16][8]
2001UndyingVarious
IllbleedKevin Kertsman[8]
Zax: The Alien HunterZax, Korbo, Villager
Sonic Adventure 2Sonic the Hedgehog, Shadow the Hedgehog (few lines)[4][8]
2002AirBladeInsider[8]
NASCAR Racing 2002 SeasonSpotter[8]
Backyard Baseball 2003Albert Pujols, Alex Rodriguez, Cliff Floyd, Frank Thomas, Achmed Khan, Ernie Steele, Pablo Sanchez, Tony Delvecchio[8]
Backyard FootballAchmed Khan, Amir Khan, Ernie Steele, Pablo Sanchez, Tony Delvecchio[8]
2003 ChromeAdditional voices
Rogue Ops
Backyard Soccer 2004Additional voices[8]
Sonic BattleSonic the Hedgehog[4][8]
Sonic HeroesSonic the Hedgehog, Metal Sonic[4][8][17]
2004Duel MastersAdditional voices
GanglandBlack Boss, Bouncer, Croupier, Civilian, Sniper, Cop, Ninja, Additional voices
Spy FictionMichael Kwan
Sonic Advance 3Sonic the Hedgehog[4][8]
Sega Superstars[4][8]
2005Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the EarthJ. Edgar Hoover, Seaman Willie Thompson, Experiment, Poorhouse Resident, Cutter Urania Seaman, Yithian, Additional voices
Cold WarCarter, scientist, Civilian
2006Scared RingsAdditional voices
2008The Godfather II: Crime RingsBill Bardi
2009The Godfather IIBill Bardi, Additional voices[8]
Guitar Hero: Van HalenAdditional voices
2020Mafia: Definitive EditionDoctorAlso motion-capture[8][34]

Web

[edit]
YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2020-2021, 2024Sonic and Tails RSonic the Hedgehog11 episodes
YouTube fan-made audio drama series		[27]

Theme parks

[edit]
YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
1997SeaWorld San DiegoShamu, Wild Arctic monitor[4]
1999Legoland CaliforniaVarious voices[4]

Commercials

[edit]
TitleRoleNotesRef.
The PadresBaseball fanChannel 4[15]
McDonald'sSonic the HedgehogVoice[15]
Wheel of FortuneN/aKing World distribution[15]
Sega DreamcastSonic the HedgehogVoice[15]
Oceans Eleven CasinoHimself[15]
Checkmate Inc.N/a[15]

Ads

[edit]
TitleRef.
Mastercard[22]
Pizza Hut[22]
Weekenders Clothing Company[22]
Chrysler[22]
Jack in the Box[22]
Washington Mutual Bank[22]
Carl's Jr.[22]
Petco[22]
Deputy Inc.[22]
Sunrider[22]
Applied Micro Circuits[22]
Lifeforce[22]
Ford Motor Company[21]
CTX International[21]
Mamillian Express[21]

Theatre

[edit]
YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
1996Festival Of Christmas: Once Upon A Time...ThorrLamb's Players Theatre[26]
I Love You, You're Perfect, Now ChangeMan #1Off-Broadway[24]
1998Show BoatWindy, Jim, BackwoodsmanOff-Broadway[24]
2001Kiss Me, KateBill Calhoun, LucentioWest End[24]
Marooned! with Clyde and SeamoreJuan HoSeaWorld San Diego[24]
PinocchioPinocchioOff-Broadway[24]
2000–2005Forever PlaidSmudgeLamb's Players Theatre, Latina Playhouse Moulton Theatre[23][35][24][26]
2002GodspellJohn the BaptistLamb's Players Theatre[26][24]
2003Cotton Patch GospelSimon Rock JohnsonLamb's Players Theatre[26][24]
Festival of Christmas: It's Christmas And It's Live!Ronald HarmonLamb's Players Theatre[26]
Shear MadnessEddie LawrenceOff-Broadway[24]
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor DreamcoatJudah, LeviOff-Broadway[24]
2005Palm BeachEnsembleLa Jolla Playhouse Mandela Weiss Theatre[26][24]
2006ZhivagoPerformerLa Jolla Playhouse Mandela Weiss[26][24]
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The MusicalYoung MaxOld Globe Theatre[24]
Into the WoodsBakerLamb's Players Theatre[26][24]
2008Caroline, or ChangeStuart GellmanMountain View Center for the Performing Arts[26]
Annie Get Your GunFrank ButlerJohn Muir Amphitheater[26]
2009The ProducersLeo BloomLesher Center for the Arts Hofmann Theatre[26]
The Wedding SingerRobbie HartWillows Theatre Company Concord[26]
On the TownOzzieLesher Center for the Arts Hofmann Theatre[26]
2010A Grand Night for SingingLesher Center for the ArtsCosmopolitan Cabaret[26]
HairsprayCorny CollinsWoodminster Amphitheater[26]
She Loves MeGeorg NowackLesher Center for the Arts[26][36]
2011CurtainsLieutenant Frank CioffiFoothill Collage Lehman Theatre[26]
The FantasticksEl GalloWillows Theatre Company Concord[26]
A Midsummer Night’s DreamPuckOff-Broadway[24]
2012Anything GoesMoonface MartinFoothill Collage Lehman Theatre[26]
AssassinsSamuel ByckThe Ashby Stage[26]
Pal JoeyLudlow LowellThe Eureka Theatre[26]
2013Singin' in the RainCosmo BrownLester Center for the Arts[26]
CarnivalPaul BerthaletThe Eureka Theatre[26]
1776Richard Henry LeeAmerican Conservatory Theater[26]
2013–2014Edward Gant's Amazing Feats of Loneliness!DearloveThe Ashby Stage[26]
2014Painting the Clouds With SunshineRussell JamesThe Eureka Theatre[26]
Du Barry Was a LadyJones, Le Docteur, PaingrilleThe Eureka Theatre[26]
Life Could Be a DreamDennyLester Center for the Arts[26]
2015Nick & NoraNick CharlesThe Eureka Theatre[26]
CompanyDavidSan Francisco Playhouse[24]
2015, 2016Scrooge in LoveJacob MarleyThe Eureka Theatre[26]
2016City of AngelsBuddy Fidler, Irwin S. IrvingSan Francisco Playhouse[26]
2017La Cage aux FollesGeorgesSan Francisco Playhouse[26]
2017–2018A Christmas StoryThe Old ManSan Francisco Playhouse[26]
2017–2020Men Are From Mars, Women Are From VenusPerformer[3][25]
2018Sunday in the Park with GeorgeJules, Bob GreenbergSan Francisco Playhouse[26]
2018–2019Mary PoppinsMr. George BanksSan Francisco Playhouse[26]
2019–2020Groundhog DayPhil ConnorsSan Francisco Playhouse[37][24]

Discography

[edit]
  • S.C.R.A.M. (1994) – Harmony, lead vocals
  • Atomic Young Ultrasonics (1996) – Harmony, lead vocals
  • Acappella Yuletide Uproar (2010) – Harmony, lead vocals

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 3 4 "Ryan Drummond interview". Angelfire. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Orr, John (27 July 2011). "Seen and heard: The wide-ranging career of Ryan Drummond". MercuryNews.com. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Arbor, Ann (28 January 2017). "Huron High and EMU alumnus starring in 'Men are from Mars' in Detroit". Milve.com. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "RyanDrummond.com: Voice-Overs". Ryan Drummond. Archived from the original on 20 October 2007. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  5. 1 2 "Ryan Drummond short bio".
  6. ↑ Coddon, David L. (24 October 2024) [October 24, 2024]. "S.D. Arts and Culture Newsletter: Aimee Mann returns to Belly Up next week". San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on 23 December 2024. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Film". Ryan Drummond. Archived from the original on 20 October 2007. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 "Ryan Drummond". Behind The Voice Actors.
  9. 1 2 3 Johri, Saarthak (26 March 2025). "A quick conversation with Ryan Drummond, the voice of a Sonic generation". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  10. ↑ Banks, Annie (9 March 2026). "Sonic The Hedgehog's Voice Actor Confirms How SEGA Describes The Blue Blur". CBR. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  11. ↑ Sonic Team (9 September 1999). Sonic Adventure (Dreamcast). Sega. Scene: Credits. English Character Voices
  12. ↑ Sonic Team (5 December 2003). Sonic Heroes (GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, & Windows). Sega. Scene: Credits. English Voices
  13. ↑ Sonic Team & Hudson Soft (14 November 2000). Sonic Shuffle (Dreamcast). Sega. Scene: Credits. Voice Acting
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Television". Ryan Drummond. Archived from the original on 20 October 2007. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "RyanDrummond.com: Commercials". www.ryandrummond.com. Archived from the original on 12 September 2010. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  16. 1 2 "Sonic Cult // Sonic – Post 16 bit // Sonic Adventure // Interviews // Interview with Ryan Drummond //". www.sonic-cult.org. Archived from the original on 18 September 2017. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  17. 1 2 Ryan Drummond [@RYANtheDRUMMOND] (6 April 2015). "@jakefagan1233 I was Knuckles for a short while, and Metal Sonic for a short while. Find out where!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  18. ↑ "Drummond's confirmation". Twitter. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  19. ↑ Drummond, Ryan. "Current Events: July". Ryan Drummond (Blog). Archived from the original on 16 July 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  20. ↑ Oliver, Tristan. "Report: Drummond Re-Auditioned for Sonic VA During Generations Development". TSSZ News. Archived from the original on 12 September 2012. Retrieved 13 March 2013.
  21. 1 2 3 4 "Printed Ads". Ryan Drummond. Archived from the original on 20 October 2007. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Industrials". Ryan Drummond. Archived from the original on 20 October 2007. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  23. 1 2 Writer, PAM KRAGEN – Staff. "Welk's fine 'Plaid' is worth another look". sandiegouniontribune.com.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 "RyanDrummond.com: Theatre". www.ryandrummond.com. Archived from the original on 12 September 2010. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  25. 1 2 ""Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus" actor says show remains relevant 28 years later". February 2020.
  26. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 "Ryan Drummond theatre profile".
  27. 1 2 Tu, Trumann (28 January 2023). "Fan-Made Sonic Audio Play Featuring Original Sonic Adventure Voice Actor Gets Second Season". GameRant. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  28. ↑ Drummond, Ryan (23 April 2020). "Something fun this way comes..." X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  29. 1 2 "Abby Drummond". The Gold Ring Agency. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  30. ↑ "About". The Gold Ring Agency. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  31. ↑ Drummond, Abby Haug (30 October 2019). "Got Married". Facebook. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  32. ↑ Drummond, Ryan. "Current Events: This update is for my mom and everyone else". Ryan Drummond. Archived from the original on 26 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  33. ↑ Drummond, Ryan. "Current Events". Ryan Drummond. Blogspot. Archived from the original on 26 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  34. ↑ "Mafia Definitive Edition Game Credits".
  35. ↑ "'Forever Plaid' not bad, but by no means great". 17 April 2003.
  36. ↑ Robert Taylor (31 August 2010). "A Beautiful Romance". Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  37. ↑ "Groundhog Day the Musical – San Francisco Playhouse Official Site". San Francisco Playhouse. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
[edit]
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