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Sam Riegel

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Sam Riegel

Sam Riegel in 2025

Born

Samuel Brent Oscar Riegel


October 9, 1976 (age 49)
Other names
  • Sam Regal
  • Jack Lingo
Occupations
  • Voice actor
  • writer
Years active1997–present
SpouseQuyen Tran
Children2
Relatives

Samuel Brent Oscar Riegel (born October 9, 1976) is an American voice actor. He is best known for his voice roles as Donatello in the 2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series, Phoenix Wright in the Ace Attorney games, and Teddie from Persona 4. He has also worked for Nickelodeon as the voice director for Fresh Beat Band of Spies and Sanjay and Craig, as well as the voice of Riven in the revival of Winx Club. Since 2015, he has been a regular cast member of the web series Critical Role, in which he and other voice actors play Dungeons & Dragons. In 2022, the show's first campaign was adapted into the animated series The Legend of Vox Machina.

Samuel Brent Oscar Riegel[1] was born in Washington, D.C. on October 9, 1976,[2] the son of Lenore and Kurt Riegel. His mother later married author Jerome Charyn.[3] His father works as a radio astronomer, environmental executive, and sailor. Riegel is of Jewish descent, with his grandmother being a Holocaust survivor.[4] He is the older brother of actress Eden Riegel and the younger half-brother of filmmaker Tatiana S. Riegel. He grew up in Northern Virginia, where he began performing in local theater at the age of six. He was cast in the touring production of Les Misérables at the age of 11, and performed in The Sound of Music three years later. He also had television roles on Guiding Light and Another World as a teenager, but opted to pursue a career onstage over screen acting as he preferred the live feedback of a theater audience. He joined the Upright Citizens Brigade shortly after graduating from college.[5]

Riegel at WonderCon 2017

In 2018, Riegel received the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing in an Animated Program for his work on Danger & Eggs.[6][7][8]

He is also a cast member of the popular web series Critical Role, in which he and other voice actors play Dungeons & Dragons.[9][10][11] Critical Role was both the Webby Winner and the People's Voice Winner in the "Games (Video Series & Channels)" category at the 2019 Webby Awards;[12] the show was also both a Finalist and the Audience Honor Winner at the 2019 Shorty Awards.[13] After becoming hugely successful, the Critical Role cast left the Geek & Sundry network in early 2019 and set up their own production company, Critical Role Productions.[10][14][15][16] Soon after, they aimed to raise $750,000 on Kickstarter to create an animated series of their first campaign, but ended up raising over $11 million.[11][17] In November 2019, Amazon Prime Video announced that they had acquired the streaming rights to this animated series, now titled The Legend of Vox Machina.[18] Riegel reprises his role as Scanlan Shorthalt.[19] He hosts the All Work No Play podcast and spinoff web series with his Critical Role co-star and best friend Liam O'Brien.[20][21][22]

Riegel at Galaxy Con Columbus in December 2025

Riegel lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Vietnamese-American cinematographer Quyen Tran,[23][24] and their two children.[25]

On September 11, 2001, Riegel and Tran witnessed the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center.[26] They were caught in the dust cloud formed by the collapse of the South Tower, but eventually escaped to Battery Park, where they witnessed the collapse of the North Tower; Riegel captured video footage that has since been featured in several documentaries.[23][additional citation(s) needed] Shortly after the events, they moved to California when Tran was accepted to UCLA.[27]

In July 2024, Riegel revealed that he had been diagnosed with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer earlier in the year and was recovering after undergoing six weeks of radiation therapy and surgery to remove his tonsils alongside parts of his tongue and soft palate, leaving him with a seven-inch scar across his throat.[28][29][30]

Key
† Denotes series that have not yet been released
List of appearances in web series
Year Title Role Notes Source
2015–present Critical Role Scanlan Shorthalt, Taryon Darrington (campaign 1) Cast member; Dungeons & Dragons actual play web series [91][92]
Nott the Brave/Veth Brenatto, Luc Brenatto (campaign 2) [91][93][94]
Fresh Cut Grass (F.C.G.), Braius Doomseed (campaign 3) [95][96]
Wicander Halovar (campaign 4) [97][98]
2016–21 Talks Machina Himself A Critical Role aftershow [99][100]
2018 Between the Sheets Episode: "Between the Sheets: Sam Riegel" [101]
2018–2020 All Work No Play A web series where Riegel and Liam O'Brien catch up over a drink and try a new activity each episode. The show was developed from their original AWNP podcast (2012–2017). [102][103]
2020 AWNP: Unplugged A spinoff web series during the COVID-19 pandemic where Riegel and O'Brien caught-up via video chat. [104][22]
2022 Exandria Unlimited: Calamity Loquatius Seelie Actual play anthology series; 4 episodes [105][106]
2022–24 4-Sided Dive Himself A Critical Role aftershow [107][108]
2025 Wildemount Wildlings Game master Actual play limited series; 3 episodes [109]
Age of Umbra Snyx Actual play limited series using the Daggerheart system [110]
  1. ^ Sam Riegel, during Critical Role program Narrative Telephone Round 2 Ep. 6: Familiar Feywild Fables, time stamp 28:14
  2. ^ Willis, John, ed. (February 2000). Theatre World 1990-1991. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 194. ISBN 978-1-55783-125-5.
  3. ^ [1] Liam O'Brien and Sam Riegel, AWNP: Unplugged Ep. 1, 16 April 2020
  4. ^ Sam Riegel [@samriegel] (November 10, 2010). "Directed fake nazis all day. Don't worry, Jewish ancestors... I directed them badly" (Tweet). Retrieved May 19, 2021 – via Twitter.
  5. ^ Marsham, Liz; et al. (Cast of Critical Role) (October 20, 2020). The World of Critical Role. Ten Speed Press. pp. 27–108. ISBN 9780593157435.
  6. ^ "The National Academy Of Television Arts & Sciences Announces Winners For The 45th Annual Daytime Creative Arts Emmy® Awards" (PDF). Emmy Online (Press release). April 27, 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 10, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  7. ^ "Daytime Emmy Awards 2018 Winners: The Complete List". E! Online. April 30, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  8. ^ "Sam Riegel". www2.alumni.virginia.edu. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  9. ^ Kuchera, Ben (January 11, 2016). "How the Voices Behind Your Favorite Games and Shows Are Re-Inventing Live D&D". Polygon. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  10. ^ a b Phillips, Jevon (November 8, 2019). "Dungeons & Dragons set levels up". Los Angeles Times. pp. E2. Retrieved February 10, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ a b Spangler, Todd (March 8, 2019). "Critical Role Team, After Record-Breaking Fan Crowdfunding Response, Vows to Make 'The Best Goddamn Cartoon Anyone Has Ever Seen'". Variety. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
  12. ^ "Critical Role". The Webby Awards. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  13. ^ "Critical Role - The Shorty Awards". ShortyAwards.com. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  14. ^ Turney, Alexandria (September 12, 2020). "Why Critical Role's D&D Streams Are So Popular". ScreenRant. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  15. ^ Hoffer, Christian (June 18, 2018). "Critical Role Teases New Content With Opening of New Studio, Twitch and Youtube Channel". Comicbook.com. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  16. ^ Whitten, Sarah (March 14, 2020). "How Critical Role helped spark a Dungeons & Dragons renaissance". CNBC. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  17. ^ Whitten, Sarah (April 19, 2019). "'Dungeons and Dragons' Kickstarter breaks record with $11.3 million campaign". CNBC. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  18. ^ Spangler, Todd (November 5, 2019). "Amazon Orders Two Seasons of Critical Role's Animated D&D Series". Variety. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  19. ^ Burton, Bonnie (March 7, 2019). "New Dungeons & Dragons animated series breaks Kickstarter record". CNET. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  20. ^ "allworknoplay". podbean.com. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  21. ^ Granshaw, Lisa (August 29, 2018). "Exclusive: Watch Critical Role's first Handbooker Helper episode and find out what's coming next". Syfy Wire. Archived from the original on July 10, 2019. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  22. ^ a b Wilson, Andy (July 30, 2020). "YouTube, Late-Night & More: In Praise of Lo-Fi Television". bleedingcool.com. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  23. ^ a b c "Sam Riegel and Quyen Tran on 9/11". History.com. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
  24. ^ "Sam Riegel on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  25. ^ [2] Liam O'Brien and Sam Riegel, AWNP: Unplugged Ep. 1, 16 April 2020
  26. ^ Hays, Tom (September 14, 2001). "Manhattan Neighborhood a Ghost Town". New York. Associated Press. Retrieved February 10, 2020 – via EBSCOhost.
  27. ^ "Cinematographer on the Rise Finds Connection in Urban Oasis". Variety. July 8, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  28. ^ It's Been A While (YouTube). Critical Role. July 8, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  29. ^ Hoffer, Christian (July 8, 2024). "Critical Role's Sam Riegel Announces He Is Recovering From Cancer". ComicBook.com. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  30. ^ Robertson, Joshua (July 8, 2024). "Critical Role's Sam Riegel Is Recovering From Tonsil Cancer". TheGamer. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  31. ^ "Sam Riegel (Visual voices guide)".
  32. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Jack Lingo". CrystalAcids. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  33. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac "Sam Riegel (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved November 5, 2017. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "Sam Regal". CrystalAcids. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
  35. ^ a b c d e f g "Sam Riegel". CrystalAcids. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
  36. ^ "The War Record Begins". Shingu: Secret of the Stellar Wars. Episode 1. Nozomi Entertainment. Event occurs at Closing credits, Directed By, Script Adaptation – via YouTube.[dead YouTube link]
  37. ^ Harris, Jeff (June 9, 2008). "Boys Be DVD Box Set Review". IGN. p. 2.
  38. ^ "Cherry Blossoms". Boys Be... Episode 1. Manga Entertainment. 2006. Event occurs at 22:40 director and writer credit, 22:45 character credit. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  39. ^ "Sword Dancer". The Third: The Girl with the Blue Eye. February 8, 2011. Event occurs at Closing credits, English Cast – via YouTube.[dead YouTube link]
  40. ^ "Bandai Entertainment's Gurren Lagann Dub Cast Announced". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  41. ^ "Hellsing VI". Hellsing Ultimate. Episode 6. October 25, 2014. Adult Swim.
  42. ^ "Hellsing VIII". Hellsing Ultimate. Episode 8. November 8, 2014. Adult Swim.
  43. ^ "Aniplex's Blue Exorcist TV Series to Debut on TOONAMI™ On February 22nd". Anime News Network. February 10, 2014. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
  44. ^ "Aniplex of America Releasing Blue Exorcist -Kyoto Saga- on Blu-ray and DVD". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  45. ^ "Viz Media Announces K TV Anime's Dub Cast". Anime News Network. June 14, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  46. ^ "Rift". Sengoku Basara: End of Judgement. Episode 1 – via Funimation.com.
  47. ^ "One-Punch Man Cast Announcement!". Viz Media. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
  48. ^ "Recipe for Turnabout - 1st Trial". Ace Attorney. Episode 31 – via Funimation.com.
  49. ^ a b "CRITICAL ROLE'S SAM RIEGEL: WHERE YOU'VE HEARD HIM BEFORE". nerdist.com. February 10, 2016. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  50. ^ Winx Club. Season 6. Event occurs at Closing credits. Nickelodeon.
  51. ^ Sam Riegel [@samriegel] (January 25, 2016). "Tonight! I WROTE the episode of #WanderOverYonder "The Bad Hatter" 8:30pm on @DisneyXD. Watch it! (And thanks @CrackMcCraigen!)" (Tweet). Retrieved May 11, 2016 – via Twitter.
  52. ^ Sam Riegel [@samriegel] (April 5, 2015). "Sanjay & Craig is back tonight on Nickelodeon! 7:30pm! WOO! (I'm the voice director)" (Tweet). Retrieved May 12, 2016 – via Twitter.
  53. ^ "Singing Pirate". Fresh Beat Band of Spies. Season 1. Episode 6. June 24, 2015. Nickelodeon.
  54. ^ "Greg/Gramma Jail". Pickle and Peanut. Season 1. Episode 1. September 7, 2015. Disney XD.
  55. ^ "Bee Colony". Pickle and Peanut. Season 1. Episode 2. January 26, 2016. Disney XD.
  56. ^ "First Day of Rule". Elena of Avalor. Episode 1. Disney Channel. Event occurs at Closing credits. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021 – via YouTube.
  57. ^ Riegel, Sam [@samriegel] (December 16, 2016). "And yes, I get to voice direct these knuckleheads. Excited for you all to see what we've been working on" (Tweet). Retrieved September 14, 2017 – via Twitter.
  58. ^ Spangler, Todd (October 8, 2021). "Critical Role's 'Legend of Vox Machina' Series Premiere Date Set on Amazon Prime Video". Variety. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  59. ^ "WATCH: Critical Role Performs a Scene from The Legend of Vox Machina". CBR. October 8, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021. The players from the original campaign are all reprising the roles of their RPG characters, and they will also serve as the executive producers for the new animated series.
  60. ^ Romano, Nick (August 22, 2024). "'The Legend of Vox Machina' first look: 'Season 3 is going to leave a mark' (exclusive)". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on August 22, 2024. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  61. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (July 24, 2025). "Critical Role's Prime Video Show The Mighty Nein Finally Has a Release Date — and a Star-Studded Guest Voice Cast | SDCC 2025". IGN. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  62. ^ "Behind the Voice Actors - Redline". January 17, 2012. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  63. ^ "Tiger & Bunny The Movie: The Rising 'New Driver' English Dub Clip Streamed". February 22, 2015. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  64. ^ "Viz Reveals English Dub Cast for K: Missing Kings Film (Update 2)". Anime News Network. October 7, 2016. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
  65. ^ "Final Fantasy XIII (2010 Video Game)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  66. ^ Capcom. Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes. Capcom. Scene: Ending credits, 0:24 and 0:39 in, CAST. Credited as Sam Regal.
  67. ^ Sam Riegel [@samriegel] (October 13, 2011). "Just got word I can officially announce I'm the voice of Phoenix Wright in UMvC3! http://youtu.be/-LILhai7IHI OBJECTION!" (Tweet). Retrieved May 12, 2016 – via Twitter.
  68. ^ Sam Riegel [@samriegel] (October 2, 2013). "Look! It's me! In a video game! … #PhoenixWrightAceAttorney5" (Tweet). Retrieved May 13, 2016 – via Twitter. referencing "Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies Trailer Features English Voices". The Escapist. October 2, 2013. Archived from the original on June 10, 2016. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  69. ^ "Gears of War: Judgment Credits". Microsoft Game Studios. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  70. ^ Square Enix. Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. Scene: Closing credits, 3:56 minutes in, Voice Actors.
  71. ^ Obsidian Entertainment [@obsidian] (May 5, 2016). "@chu_bacca It's Sam. <3" (Tweet). Retrieved June 27, 2016 – via Twitter.
  72. ^ ArenaNet. Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns. Scene: Closing credits, 12m30s in, Voice Talent.
  73. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Guild Wars 2 Living World Behind the Voice: Sam Riegel". YouTube. December 14, 2018.
  74. ^ Sam Riegel [@samriegel] (May 30, 2016). "you know it" (Tweet). Retrieved June 27, 2021 – via Twitter.
  75. ^ Sam Riegel [@samriegel] (May 11, 2016). "All rise! #AceAttorney6 is now in session!" (Tweet). Retrieved May 12, 2016 – via Twitter.
  76. ^ Traveller's Tales. Lego Dimensions. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Scene: Closing credits, 4:45 in, Voiceover Talent.
  77. ^ "Play the Critical Companion Roles with D&D Character Sheets Inspired by 'Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire'". May 7, 2018.
  78. ^ "Obsidian and Critical Role Announce Collaboration for Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire" (Press release).
  79. ^ ArenaNet. Guild Wars 2: Path of Fire.
  80. ^ "Qadim - Guild Wars 2 Wiki (GW2W)".
  81. ^ Fallout 76 credits: listed under Voice & Music; Cast
  82. ^ Avalanche Studios. Rage 2.
  83. ^ Lab Zero Games. Indivisible.
  84. ^ "Cartoon Shooter 'Freedom Finger' Gets New E3 Trailer Starring Nolan North". June 12, 2019.
  85. ^ "Meet the voice cast of Bugsnax, launching on PS5 and PS4 November 12". October 8, 2020.
  86. ^ Toylogic Inc. Nier Replicant ver.1.22474487139... Square Enix. Scene: Ending credits, 25:01.
  87. ^ "CREDIT | TEPPEN -Official Site-". teppenthegame.com. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  88. ^ "Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (2024 Video Game)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  89. ^ "Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii (2025 Video Game)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  90. ^ Khan, Titas (October 27, 2025). "All voice actors in Dispatch".
  91. ^ a b Duncan, Emily A. (March 9, 2021). "An Introduction to Critical Role: Prepare Your Emotions". Tor.com. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  92. ^ "All the main Vox Machina characters and who plays them". Wargamer. January 28, 2025. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  93. ^ Williams, Isaac (October 5, 2023). "10 of Sam Riegel's Best Moments on Critical Role". CBR. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  94. ^ McCauley, Tara (October 29, 2023). "Critical Role: Who Is Luc Brenatto in Mighty Nein, Explained". The Escapist. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  95. ^ "Critical Role: Everything to Know About the Characters of Campaign Three". CBR. October 24, 2021. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  96. ^ Anderson, Julia (June 21, 2024). "Critical Role's Sam Riegel Returns to Bells Hells With a New Character". The Escapist. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  97. ^ Maas, Jennifer (August 21, 2025). "Critical Role's D&D Campaign 4 Revealed: Brennan Lee Mulligan's New World 'Aramán' and 'West Marches' Twist". Variety. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  98. ^ Critical Role [@critical_role]; (September 15, 2025). "WHOSE LEGENDS WILL BE WRITTEN IN ARAMÁN? ⚔️ 🧭 🪶 👀 Take a (respectful) first look at our stunning new #CriticalRole Campaign 4 adventurers before their tale begins at the table this OCTOBER 2ND! [ Artwork by @_solelle, with additional art and consultation by @agarthanguide 🎨✨ ][13 images]". Retrieved September 15, 2025 – via Instagram.
  99. ^ "Talks Machina | Geek and Sundry". geekandsundry.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2017. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  100. ^ Foster and, Brian [@BrianWFoster] (November 2, 2021). "Gonna pin this since I get this question here and on IG and in my chat every day: Unfortunately, Talks has been canceled. I believe there are plans for a new "after-show", but @CriticalRole would have that info. That's all I know and can share [Cowboy hat face]" (Tweet). Retrieved November 2, 2021 – via Twitter.
  101. ^ "Between the Sheets: Sam Riegel". Between the Sheets. Season 1. Episode 5. October 17, 2018. YouTube. Archived from the original on June 27, 2020. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
  102. ^ "All Work No Play: Hot Tub Spectacular (S1, EP8)". Critical Role. November 18, 2018. Archived from the original on June 28, 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  103. ^ "Critical Role Ends Live Broadcasts Due to Coronavirus". ComicBook.com. March 17, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  104. ^ Bloom, David. "Critical Role Pushed To New Path For Its Pandemic Programming". Forbes. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  105. ^ "HYPE! Exandria Unlimited: Calamity Premieres Thursday, May 26th!". Critical Role (Press release). May 12, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  106. ^ "Critical Role Announces New Exandria Unlimited Miniseries". ComicBook.com. May 12, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  107. ^ Radulovic, Petrana (March 14, 2022). "Critical Role announces two new series to celebrate its 7th anniversary". Polygon. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  108. ^ "Critical Role Announces Two New Shows". ComicBook.com. March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  109. ^ Whitten, Sarah (March 27, 2025). "How a Dungeons & Dragons livestream became a multiplatform media company". CNBC. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
  110. ^ Stewart, Jazz (May 12, 2025). "Critical Role announces new miniseries for Daggerheart, its custom D&D competitor". Polygon. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  111. ^ McCauley, Tara (September 28, 2022). "Critical Role Cast Reprise Their Mighty Nein Roles for New Audiobook". CBR. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  112. ^ "Critical Role: Vox Machina – Stories Untold". Audiobooks.com (Product page). Retrieved March 27, 2025.

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