We’ve been seeing a lot more action from the Fallout franchise since the Amazon TV show started airing, which is not really surprising. Since the adaptation was released, Bethesda has announced the next-gen update for Fallout 4, and we’re also seeing some of the games re-enter the Steam Top Seller’s list; some of which are pretty high up as well.
What makes the series so beloved is its vast world and host of memorable characters, one of which is the hovering robotic butler Codsworth from the fourth game. Not just a throwaway NPC we interact with at the start, Codsworth becomes a close friend to the Sole Survivor once we emerge from Vault 111.
His voice is very distinctive – authoritative yet friendly – turning him from a mindless drone into a charming, sentient being. None of that would have been possible without the tremendous work of the voice actor. If you’ve ever thought to yourself, “Hey, this person sounds pretty familiar,” there’s a good reason for that.
Who is Stephen Russell?
I must admit, this one did pass me by at first. When I first read that Stephen Russell was the voice of Codsworth, there was a moment of “no way! That’s awesome!” It’s a name I’ve grown up with over the decades of being a gamer. If you’re not familiar with him, you will almost certainly be familiar with his work.
Russell has been voicing characters in video games since the late 1990s. I – and others from an older generation – will probably know him best as Garrett, the gravelly and cynical stealth protagonist from the Thief games. His disdain for authority combined with a husky delivery made Garrett one of the best stealth characters of all time (in your face, Sam Fisher).
Since then, Russell has become a prolific voice actor, and it would be pretty surprising if you hadn’t come across his work before, especially if you’re a fan of Bethesda games. Playing a thief has sort of typecast him over the years, though.
While he didn’t reprise his role as Garrett for the 2014 Thief reboot, he did voice Royal Protector Corvo Attano in Dishonored 2, a series that some would describe as a spiritual successor to the Thief games. It was also interesting that the first Dishonored didn’t have a voiced protagonist. It’s almost as if Arkane realized the potential when developing the follow-up.
Russell also crops up a decent amount in Skyrim. Perhaps his most famous role – and the one many players encounter early on – is the shopkeeper Belethor in Whiterun. You know the one: “Everything’s for sale, my friend. Everything. If I had a sister, I’d sell her in a second.” That guy. He also voices Mercer Frey from – you guessed it – the Thieves Guild.
Given his association with Bethesda, it’s not surprising he’s featured prominently in Fallout 4 (he’s also the voice of Nick Valentine and a whole host of other characters). His role as Codsworth may be something of a departure from his more throaty work, but it means he really gets to show his worth as a voice actor with that most precious of resources: range.
Having also voiced some of the other Mr. Handy robots from previous games, it’s a shame Russell doesn’t return for the Fallout TV show. Instead, the honor of taking on the role of one of the hovering droids goes to the velvety tones of Matt Berry (The I.T. Crowd, Toast of London). To be fair, that’s a pretty good shout.
If you want to know Russell’s thoughts on playing Codsworth, check out this Bethesda post, where he and some of the other team discuss bringing the character to life. He also talks about his favorite “rude” name he recorded for the character.
Other games he’s featured in include:
- System Shock 2
- Neverwinter Nights
- Dota 2
- Fallout 76
- Prey (the Arkane one from 2017)
- Starfield
Honestly, as prolific voice acting goes, Russell is up there with the likes of Troy Baker, Nolan North, and Steve Blum. His work doesn’t end at video games, either.
According to his website, he’s also a director, producer, and playwright, with “some 200 stage productions to his credit.” As if that wasn’t enough, he’s also a singer/songwriter who’s toured places like Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom, and he holds a Masters in Library Science. Wow. Way to make me feel like a talentless git, Russell!
Published: Apr 17, 2024 08:32 am