Kari Wahlgren: Rick and Morty, Mortal Kombat, Disney, Anime & Finding Your Voice

Award-winning voice actress Kari Wahlgren joins Nancy Cartwright for a fun, heartfelt, and inspiring conversation about building one of the most versatile careers in animation, anime, gaming, and television. From Rick and Morty and Mortal Kombat to Disney, Marvel, anime, and countless beloved animated characters, Kari shares the unexpected moments that shaped her incredible journey in voice acting. Kari reveals how a single improvised line during a Rick and Morty recording session unexpectedly transformed Rick's spaceship into one of the show's most memorable recurring characters. She also discusses voicing iconic video game characters like Kitana and Mileena in Mortal Kombat, becoming Aunt May in Marvel's Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, and the creative freedom that comes with bringing hundreds of unique characters to life across animation, anime, and games. The conversation dives into Kari's early career, from moving to Los Angeles with big dreams to landing the Disney series that changed everything. She reflects on learning from legendary performers, building confidence in the booth, and why preparation and persistence are often the difference between missing an opportunity and launching a lifelong career. Nancy and Kari also swap stories about Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, classic Disney animation, anime, auditioning, conventions, voice acting techniques, and the surprising ways fans recognize their voices in everyday life. Along the way, they share memorable behind-the-scenes moments, career advice for aspiring performers, donut ratings, and plenty of laughter—including one unforgettable audition story that proves perseverance sometimes means pushing through the most embarrassing moments imaginable. Whether you're a fan of animation, anime, video games, Disney classics, Rick and Morty, or simply love hearing how creative careers are built, this episode is packed with inspiring stories, practical advice, and fascinating behind-the-scenes insights from one of the industry's most accomplished voice actors.