Robert Clotworthy never slows down. The Los Angeles born actor can be found narrating History Channel’s “Ancient Aliens,” “The Curse of Oak Island,” and often speaking the annual Alien Con. He has an upcoming role on “Homeland,” he is the voice of Charlie from the latest “Charlie’s Angels,” will be in “Young Sheldon,” and will voice the soon to be released video game The Last of Us Part 2.
Jim Raynor, in Blizzard Entertainment’ popular StarCraft Video Game.
Colleen Bement: Let’s start off with “Ancient Aliens” in its 14th season. My first question is how do you still find these astonishing stories 14 years later?
Robert Clotworthy: have very little to do with the choosing of the topics for each show. Each season the producers and the network get together to discuss how many episodes are going to be made and what the subject of each of those shows will be. When we first started it was a challenge to find topics. Now, however, it is much easier. The topics are part of the mainstream and seem to be in the news daily. Personally, I am a curious person by nature. I love science and the mystery that is life. I feel very fortunate to be in the eye of the hurricane so to speak. Over the years I have become friends with many of the cast members and find them fascinating. I wish that some of the Algonquin Round Table conversations I have been fortunate to overhear would be filmed. I think it would make a fascinating episode.
CB: How has being a part of “Ancient Aliens” changed your life? Do you attend conventions and meet your fans?
TC: It is every actor’s dream to have a job that lasts a while. I am incredibly blessed to have not one but two shows that have lasted. Ancient Aliens is in season 14 and The Curse of Oak Island has lasted seven. Aside from not having to worry about my next job I have made lifelong friends and received a few accolades as well. I try to remain humble and not take anything for granted.
I try to get to every convention that I can. I love people and really enjoy talking with the fans. Many have told me that my voice seems like part of their family. When you binge-watch the show, it’s my voice that is playing in the background. Many have told me (usually women) that my voice is so comforting that I put them to sleep! To those women who climb into bed, pull up the covers, turn on the show and fall asleep…I say thank you. To the partners of those women who find them fast asleep on Friday night… I apologize.
CB: I admit that I have been a bit skeptical of the proof of aliens visiting Earth. What was it that convinced you of their existence and the impact they’ve had on our world?
RC: My job is to be the voice of the creator and writer of the show, Kevin Burns. He is one of the most articulate, creative, smart and funny persons I have ever met. I take my cues from him. He describes himself as Agnostic but open to the information. I try to convey that when I narrate. The show is about asking questions. The theorists come on the show and present their theories. It’s up to the audience to decide if the theory has legs or is total BS. He describes the show as being an ongoing conversation about the topic of Ancient Aliens and our search for meaning. I love that image.
CB: What can you share about any latest projects that you have in the works?
RC: I am very fortunate to be very busy. I am currently in the middle of production on “Ancient Aliens” and “Curse of Oak Island.” I have a part in an upcoming episode of Homeland and am in the soon to be released video game The Last of Us Part 2. I am the voice of Charlie in the current installment of “Charlie’s Angels” and was also cast as The Mayor of Medford Texas in “Young Sheldon.”
CB: “StarCraft” fans love you as the voice of Jim Raynor in Blizzard Entertainment’s video game series.
RC: Playing Jim Raynor was an amazing experience. I have been his voice since 1998. Again, another dream job for an actor. One of the most gratifying aspects of playing Jimmy is the positive impact he had on so many people. I have had numerous fans come up to me and say how playing the game with their parent(s) was a bonding experience and that when they were going through a tough time in their lives thinking about what Jimmy would do gave them the strength to push on. He is a great role model and I took that responsibility of being his voice very seriously.
CB: Many might not be aware of your successful film and television career. How were you inspired to become an actor?
RC: The glib answer is that I couldn’t do anything else! In truth, I enjoyed being creative. Of course, at the time it wasn’t called that, you were playing or just acting like a jerk. More often than not you got into trouble. It’s somewhat ironic that the stuff I got into trouble for as a kid is the stuff that pays the bills! I enjoyed exploring, playing with friends and making stuff up. I also loved reading stories, movies, cartoons, and television shows. When I was a kid my father who was an advertising executive would bring me to recording sessions. At those sessions, I would see the most talented voice over actors in the business do their thing. They were funny, exciting, creative and happy. That gave me a glimpse of what was possible. I have taught voice-over to many students and one thing that I find sadly lacking is the inability for young people to truly play. And by play, I mean the ability to get out of your self and be someone or something completely different. An actor needs to have the courage to explore, to not self criticize but to be self-effacing and self-deprecating. An actor needs to understand that what they are doing is not that big a deal. You’re not curing cancer. Just like kids, we’re still playing in the sandbox, making stuff up.
Written by Colleen Bement
