Interview - David Kaye Voice of Megatron

David Kaye is well known to the fandom for lending his voice to the Transformers series Beast Wars, Beast Machines, and the latest installment, Armada. However, the six foot tall actor has filled a lot more acting roles than just these three. His acting career ranges from voice acting in well known video games such as Ratchet and Clank (Clank), and Fatal Fury (Kim), to mainstream cartoons such as X-Men Evolution (Professor Xavier), and Jackie Chan Adventures (Santa Claus), to appearing on-screen on shows like The X-Files, The Sentinel, Happy Gilmore, and a lot more appearances, including theatric roles in Streetcar Named Desire, and Heaven Can Wait.

Branded with the title of "A man of many voices," Kaye has indeed earned that title as he juggles between radio, voice acting, television, movie, and theater appearances. The Canadian native has been in the voice acting business since the young age of 16 when he started out working at a local radio station before he got his first big break. Later, Kaye moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, to work in the show Morning Zoo. Even after he was told him that he would never make a living in voice acting, Kaye had become inspired and landed his first voice acting role in the G.I. Joe series. The rest, as cliché as it sounds, is history...

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TFormers: Please tell us about yourself.

David Kaye: Married (15 yrs!), 2 children, 38yrs old, live in Vancouver, BC Canada, work worldwide, been in the business for 23 yrs.

TFormers: What influenced you to go into the acting business?

Kaye: Met a man who was just starting a talent agent and asked if he could represent me. I was in radio, which led to voice-over work, which led to commercials, small roles that grew into larger roles, and theatre.

TFormers: Are there any pointers to the individuals who would want to go into the acting business?

Kaye: It's a really, really tough business, but if you're sure that it's what you want to do, don't let anyone tell you you can't ... and go for it with everything you've got. Get a good team of people behind you.

TFormers: Were you a fan of the Transformers toyline or show before you became the voice of Megatron in the "Beast Wars" series?

Kaye: No. I'm afraid I didn't grow up with the show.

TFormers: How does it feel to be reunited with Garry Chalk, who you previously worked with on the "Beast Wars" and "Beast Machines" series?

Kaye: It's great. Gary and I have worked together for a long time.

TFormers: Do you watch any of the shows that you previously worked on?

Kaye: Oh ya ... I check them out every once in a while ... My kids get a kick out of it.

TFormers: What goes on in a regular day in the Armada studio?

Kaye: It’s usually no more than a couple of hours in the studio. Then we eat pizza. (I try to arrange the session around lunch).

TFormers: Through other interviews, we find that you keep up with the toy sales of your character. Do you own any of the Megatron toys?

Kaye: All of ‘em except the original.

TFormers: Which Megaton do you enjoy portraying more: "Beast Wars," "Beast Machines," or "Armada?"

Kaye: I'd have to say Megs in Beast Machines was my favorite. Although Beast Wars he had this sense of humor thing, I tend to enjoy the darker stuff sometimes.

TFormers: Do you feel more of a connection with this certain one?

Kaye: Yes, see above.

TFormers: What do you find most challenging about doing Megatron's voice?

Kaye: Nothing much. It just comes naturally after awhile.

TFormers: We've read that you've auditioned for Star Wars: Episode III. Did you hear anything back from the Lucas club?

Kaye: no, not yet ... keep your fingers crossed for me!

TFormers: If you could voice any character other than Megatron in any of the Transformers series, who would it be?

Kaye: Tarantulus. Bt I’m no where near as good as Alec Willows at that one.

TFormers: Have you read any of the Transformers comics from Dreamwave?

Kaye: negative

TFormers: Out of all of the characters you have voiced in your career, which character is your favorite?

Kaye: That's tough ... I love them all. But I'd have to say Megs and Prof. X

TFormers: Through the "Official Transformers Collectors Convention" (BotCon) ad, we see that you are going to attend this year's convention and you have attended the 1998 convention as well. Did you enjoy OTFCC? and do you believe that it'll be even better this year?

Kaye: I have a blast at these things. They're really organized, they treat me great, and I love the opportunity to meet the fans.

TFormers: How do you feel about the fandom of Transfans and their reaction to things? Especially around your roles in the shows?

Kaye: I love it. It's almost cultish ... Way different than anything else I experience from other shows.

TFormers: How much do you get to add to the character or is done straight from the script?

Kaye: Armada is pre-drawn, so we don't have any room to move ... The previous Transformers were less rigid for the actors, so yes, we would play a little now and then.

TFormers: How does your voice for the Transformers differ from the other shows you have worked on?

Kaye: I use different influences on every character I voice. I would hate it if someone was watching another show of mine, and recognized my voice from, say, Megatron ... then I'm not doing my job.

TFormers: We'd like to take this time to thank David Kaye for taking time out for his interview and we are definately looking forward to seeing him at OTFCC. Also, us here at TFormers.com have our fingers crossed for you on hearing back from the Star Wars camp!