An Interview with Director and Voice Actor

By: J

November 24, 2025

Richard Horvitz is a multimedia actor starring in theatrical productions, on screen in movies, and voice actor roles in animation and video games. He is most known for voicing Zim in Nickelodeon's Invader Zim, Billy in Cartoon Network’s The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy and Alpha 5 in Power Rangers. Since Horvitz is an actor and director, and a role model to many who dream of entering the entertainment industry, The Cyclone Chronicle staff thought he would make a fascinating interview. 

What made you get into acting? 

I started out as a child actor, very young. I started doing commercials at 10, equity and musical theater at 13, and then by the 80s, a lot of teen comedies (such as Summer School). Then, around 1993, I decided to switch to voice over and never looked back.

What’s your favorite role of all time? 

Everyone asks that and it's really hard to answer; it's like choosing a favorite kid. So much goes into my different characters, but I like them for different reasons. For Angry Beavers (Daggett), it was mostly my personality along with Moxxie (from Helluva Boss), Billy, and Mandy. I like that I got to improvise. For Zim, I love the writing and the art. For Helluva Boss, I love the art, the singing and the cast.

Who is your favorite theater? 

I did a character called Policy Pinkle in an old musical Red Hot and Blue and did another called Uncle Hen in another musical called Tiptoes. I played Johnny Bubbles in a great comedy called The Psychic, probably one of my favorites.

Who do you think is your most iconic role? 

I think most people would think Invader Zim is the most iconic role; Moxie is coming in fast. Of course, if you're a Power Rangers fan, you have Alpha 5.

Do you prefer voice acting or film acting? 

Ultimately I think my true love is theater; theater is my favorite. I love what film affords you. It takes a lot of time to do film, but with voice over, you're in the booth for a couple hours and you're done for the day.

What’s your biggest pet peeve when directing?  

My biggest pet peeve is not having all the actors together in the same room at the same time.

What qualities do you look for in your cast? 

I look for main things like their ability to play pretend and make the story more important than the performance. It's not about one individual person; it's about how everyone meshes together. Being an easy-to- direct actor is also a good quality.

What is one thing that brings your inner nerd out while doing conventions? 

My inner nerd comes out when I fanboy over someone. I grew up watching Lee Majors’ The Six Million Dollar Man and got to meet him at a convention.

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“It was truly an honor to interview Richard Horvitz as he is one of my favorite voice actors and an inspiration to me as a communication student, the way he portrays his characters is truly magical,” said J, sophomore communication major and Chronicle staff writer. 

Horvitz was a guest this past October at Animate Philly presented by GalaxyCon in Oaks, PA. The next show is scheduled for May 1-3, 2026. More information can be found here at Animate! Philadelphia. 

Special thanks to friends Alex and Satine for helping film the interview, and Photos by Fey for taking pictures.