Audio Interview with Walter Gray, IV

Meet Walter Gray, IV, an LA based actor, voice talent, and motion capture (mocap) performer extraordinaire! He’s also a dear friend from way (way) back, to when we were mere children going through our theater undergrad program together.

In addition to being largely known as a voice and mocap actor for the video game industry (titles include God of War, Spider Man, and Last of Us Part II to name a few) he’s appeared in a variety of plays at well known theaters in the Los Angeles area as well on the HBO hit series The Newsroom. Most recently, he announced he’s been invited to play taskmaster and Daily Bugle reporter Phil Sheldon in the new Marvel’s Avengers game. And since October 2019 (we recorded this back in January 2019), we’re happy to report that Walt has retired from Sony as a Key Set Production Assistant and now also directs part-time in the voice over booth for various upcoming projects in addition to his acting career. Go Walt! You can find more of his credits on his IMDB page here.

In this interview, we discuss Walt’s advice for surviving the audition room, the joy of carving your own path, and how he had to navigate life after experiencing an unimaginable loss. It’s been a long, often winding, road to get to this point (we can’t thank Walt enough for his patience and flexibility) but we’re thrilled to finally be able to share this beautiful, and deeply personal, conversation with you all. Enjoy!

Trigger Warning: There is explicit language, mentions of death and anxiety, and discussions of parental loss throughout this interview (specific themes and timing below). If you need immediate assistance, scroll down to find some helpful resources.

Interviewer: Caitlin Simkovich, All Roads Media Founder & Editor

Produced and Edited by: Caitlin Simkovich, All Roads Media Founder & Editor

All interview music by: Manuel Ochoa via Melody Loops

Photo credit: Kimberlee Peterson (@lotta.photo.kp)

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Summaries, Definitions, and Bios:

Motion Capture (mocap): the process of recording the movement of objects or people.

Richard III by William Shakespeare

Hamlet by William Shakespeare; Polonius

The Newsroom: HBO drama by Aaron Sorkin

Bessie Anderson Stanley, success poem

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Trigger Warnings:

Self-harm: 6:15-6:37
Body image: 14:30-15:00
Car/driving-related trauma: 24:20-24:45
Death: 32:35-33:00
Anxiety: 32:49-34:00
Parental loss: 33:20-34:00
Boston Marathon bombing: 37:40-38:00
Parental loss, memories, and grief: 38:15-1:03
Mortality: 1:03-1:12
Mental health, anxiety, regular health: 1:03-1:12

Suicide/self-harm: If you are experiencing suicidal or self-harm thoughts and need immediate help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.

Anxiety/depression: Anxiety and Depression Association of America

Grief: https://www.mastersincounseling.org/guide/loss-grief-bereavement/