Justin Roiland

Mark Justin Roiland (born February 21, 1980) is an American former voice actor, animator, writer, and producer. He co-created the Adult Swim animated sitcom Rick and Morty, for which he voiced the protagonists Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith from 2013 to 2022, as well as Hulu's Solar Opposites, in which he voiced main character Korvo from 2020 to 2022, until both networks severed ties with him in 2023. He had also voiced Earl of Lemongrab in Adventure Time, Blendin Blandin in Gravity Falls, and Oscar in Fish Hooks. He founded the animation studio Justin Roiland's Solo Vanity Card Productions! and the video game studio Squanch Games, though he resigned from the latter in 2023.

In early 2023, Roiland was dismissed from most of the companies he was working with due to accusations of domestic violence and abuse. The charges were later dismissed due to insufficient evidence, but in September 2023, new allegations of sexual assault were reported against him.

Early life Roiland was born and raised in Manteca, California. He attended Sierra High School up until the first quarter of his senior year and then transferred to Manteca High School for the remainder of his senior year, graduating in 1998. After high school, he attended Modesto Junior College in Modesto. Roiland is dyslexic.

Career

In 2002, Roiland moved to Houston, Texas and, in 2004, got involved with Channel 101, an L.A. media collective started by Dan Harmon and Rob Schrab, where he made and acted in numerous movie shorts (such as 2 Girls One Cup: The Show, House of Cosbys and a small role as musician Christopher Cross in the series Yacht Rock) and in the VH1 television show Acceptable TV. He appeared regularly on The Sarah Silverman Program on Comedy Central as "Blonde Craig". From 2010 to 2016, he co-hosted The Grandma's Virginity Podcast with future Rick and Morty writer Ryan Ridley and future Steven Universe producer Jackie Buscarino. Some of Roiland's influences include Matt Groening's The Simpsons, John Kricfalusi's The Ren & Stimpy Show, Mike Judge's Beavis and Butt-Head, and Jhonen Vasquez's Invader Zim.

In 2012, Adult Swim approached Harmon to produce a new animated series for their network. Harmon approached Roiland and, together, they created Rick and Morty (based on Roiland's previous work for Channel 101, "The Real Animated Adventures of Doc and Mharti"), which debuted in 2013 to widespread acclaim. The show quickly grew a fan community as audiences praised the show for its unique storytelling and incorporation of science fiction elements. Between 2013 and 2022, Roiland voiced Rick Sanchez and his grandson Morty Smith. In addition to the voice work, Roiland served as a co-writer and executive producer alongside Dan Harmon. By the end of season 1, Rick and Morty became one of the most successful shows Adult Swim ever produced. The success of the show spearheaded an entire franchise, with various themed merchandise being produced and sold. In addition to the show, an app called "Pocket Mortys" was created. On August 25, 2016, Roiland launched virtual reality studio Squanchtendo, a portmanteau of the company Nintendo and Rick and Morty character Squanchy. It was later renamed to Squanch Games. Its first full-length title, Accounting+, made in collaboration with William Pugh's studio, was released for PSVR on December 19, 2017.

In January 2021, Roiland sold a dozen artworks in an NFT art collection titled "The Best I Could Do" for a total of $1.65 million. His highest-selling piece, Simpsons homage The Smintons, sold at $290,100. Roiland also sold his first painting, titled mypeoplefriend, via auction by Sotheby's in July 2021.

Domestic and sexual abuse allegations Accusations of violence and abuse In August 2020, Roiland was arrested and charged with felony domestic battery and false imprisonment in Orange County, California, in connection with an alleged incident in January 2020 involving an unnamed woman he was reportedly dating at the time. Roiland was released on bail after pleading not guilty, and a pre-trial hearing was scheduled for April 27, 2023. Knowledge of these events was not publicized until NBC News reported on the matter in January 2023.

After the charges were announced, multiple people came forward with their own allegations of abuse by Roiland in the #MeToo movement, including claims on Twitter of predatory behavior towards minors. Accusations involving adults include a sexually explicit private message he sent to musician Allie Goertz, who was at the time working on a Rick and Morty concept album.

Adult Swim announced later that month that Roiland had been dismissed from Rick and Morty, and that his roles would be recast for future seasons. On January 25, 20th Television Animation confirmed that he had also been removed from Solar Opposites and Koala Man, which will also continue to be produced without his involvement.

In March 2023, the criminal charges against Roiland were dismissed due to insufficient evidence. He released a statement on social media saying he is "determined to move forward and focus both on my creative projects and restoring my good name".

Sexual assault allegations

In September 2023, NBC News reported that allegations of sexual assault and communicating explicitly online with underage girls had been reported, with some dating back to 2013. Roiland's lawyer, Andrew Brettler, denied the allegations.

Rick and Morty co-creator Dan Harmon stated of the new allegations that he was "frustrated, ashamed and heartbroken that a lot of hard work, joy and passion can be leveraged to exploit and harm strangers".

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 2006 Tenacious D: Time Fixers Abe Lincoln Short film 2015 Krampus ClumpyVoice 2018 Smallfoot Garry Seth Rogen's Hilarity for Charity Char 2019 Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus Foodio 3000, Weird Alien #1, Excited Audience Member Voice, Netflix film2021 Space Jam: A New Legacy Rick Sanchez, Morty Smith Voice, cameo

Television Year Title Role Notes 2004 Cheap Seats without Ron Parker Rhonda's Son Episode: "1973 Superstars" 2007 Acceptable.TV Mr. Sprinkles, various 2007–2010 The Sarah Silverman Program Blonde Craig, Chant Leader 8 episodes 2010–2014 Fish Hooks Oscar Fishtooth Voice 2011–2018 Adventure Time Earl of Lemongrab, Lemonhope, additional voices 14 episodes 2012–2015 Gravity Falls Blendin Blandin, Bobby Renzobbi, additional voices 7 episodes 2013 Out There Chris Novak Voice, 10 episodes 2013–2022 Rick and Morty Rick Sanchez, Morty Smith, Wayne "Mr. Poopybutthole", additional voices Voice 2014–2019 The Cyanide & Happiness Show Mr. Romero 2015 The Simpsons Rick Sanchez, Morty Smith Voice, episode: "Mathlete's Feat" Community Ice Cube Head Voice, episode: "Emotional Consequences of Broadcast Television" Aqua Teen Hunger Force Honest Abe Lincoln's Hot Links Mascot Voice, episode: "Mouth Quest" 2015–2017 Pig Goat Banana Cricket Psychopath Giraffe, Radical Rick, Customer Voice, 7 episodes 2015 Yo Gabba Gabba! Sea Queen Voice, episode: "Mermaids" 2016 Animals. H&M Voice, episode: "Cats" Future-Worm! General Couponocus, Mr. Clock Face, Professor Gigglesnorp, Commandant Giflington, Homework Android Voice, 7 episodesUncle GrandpaRicky's TongueVoice, episode: "Tongue Tied" 2018–2019 Hot Streets Chubbie Webbers, additional voices Voice 2018 Robot Chicken Additional voices Episode: "3 2 1 2 333, 222, 3…66?" 70th Primetime Emmy Awards Rick Sanchez, Morty Smith Voice, television special2019 Star vs. the Forces of Evil Doop-Doop Voice, 2 episodes 2020–2022Solar Opposites Korvo, additional voices Voice 2021 Invincible Doug Cheston Episode: "You Look Kinda Dead" 2022 The Boys Presents: Diabolical Papers, Narrator's Dad, Picante's Dad Voice, episode: "An Animated Short Where Pissed-Off Supes Kill Their Parents"The Paloni Show! Halloween Special! Leroy Paloni Voice 2023 Koala Man Chad Wagon Voice, episode: "The Red Hot Rule" King Star King Hank Waffles Voice, episode: "King Star King!/!/!/"

Television crewmember

Web

Video games In August 2016, Roiland set up a video game studio, Squanchtendo, which was later renamed to Squanch Games in December 2017. Year Title Role Notes2013 Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I Don't Know! Earl of Lemongrab2015 Dota 2 Rick Sanchez, Morty SmithRick and Morty Announcer DLC Lego DimensionsEarl of Lemongrab Adventure Time: Finn & Jake Investigations Dr. Langeskov, The Tiger, and the Terribly Cursed Emerald Various Voices 2016 Pocket Mortys Rick Sanchez, Morty Smith The Lab Various Personality Cores Job Simulator Radio Announcer Accounting Various Voices Also co-director and co-writer 2017 Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-ality Rick Sanchez, Morty Smith LawBreakers Blitzball 2019 Trover Saves the Universe Trover 2022 High on LifeKenny Warped Kart Racers Korvo Archived recordings MultiVersus Rick Sanchez, Morty Smith, Mr. Meeseeks Archived recordings, replaced by Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden in the full release of the game

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result 2015 Annie Award Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production Rick and Morty 2017 Teen Choice Awards Choice Animated TV Show 2018 Critics' Choice Television Award Best Animated Series Annie Award Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production Saturn Award Best Animated Series or Film on Television Teen Choice Awards Choice Animated TV Show Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Animated Program Rick and Morty for "Pickle Rick" 2020 D.I.C.E. Awards Immersive Reality Game of the Year Trover Saves the Universe Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Animated Program Rick and Morty for "The Vat of Acid Episode" 2021 Critics' Choice Super Awards Best Animated Series Rick and Morty Best Voice Actor in an Animated Series Annie Award Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production Saturn Award Best Animated Series on Television 2022 Hollywood Critics Association TV Award Best Broadcast Network or Cable Animated Series or Television Movie Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Animated Program