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The Last Of Us Game Cast: Where Are The Voice Actors Now? (Updated 2025)

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The Last of Us remains one of the most critically acclaimed and emotionally devastating video game franchises of all time, and its enduring success is inseparable from the incredible talent of its core cast. As of late 2025, the performances of the voice actors who brought Joel, Ellie, and the complex characters of the post-apocalyptic world to life continue to resonate with millions of players and viewers alike, especially with the ongoing success of the HBO television adaptation.

This article dives deep into the iconic performers behind the Naughty Dog masterpieces, from the original The Last of Us Part I to the polarizing yet brilliant The Last of Us Part II. We provide a complete profile of the main actors, a list of the key supporting cast, and explore the cutting-edge motion capture technology that made their performances legendary.

The Last of Us Main Cast: Biography and Notable Roles

The core trio of voice actors in The Last of Us series are considered titans in the world of video game performance, blending traditional acting with advanced motion capture technology to deliver cinematic realism. Here is a detailed profile of the stars behind the most influential characters.

  • Troy Baker (Joel Miller)
    • Born: April 1, 1976
    • Character: Joel Miller, the hardened smuggler and surrogate father figure.
    • Notable Roles: Beyond Joel, Troy Baker is a prolific voice actor known for Booker DeWitt in BioShock Infinite, Kanji Tatsumi in Persona 4, Snow Villiers in Final Fantasy XIII, and various roles as Batman, The Joker, and Hawkeye in DC and Marvel media. His portrayal of Joel won him a BAFTA in 2014.
  • Ashley Johnson (Ellie Williams)
    • Born: August 9, 1983
    • Character: Ellie Williams, the immune teenager and co-protagonist.
    • Notable Roles: Ashley Johnson began her career as a child actor, notably as Chrissy Seaver on the sitcom Growing Pains. In voice acting, she is famous for Gretchen Grundler in the animated series Recess and Patterson in the television show Blindspot. She is also a main cast member of the popular web series Critical Role.
  • Laura Bailey (Abby)
    • Born: May 28, 1981
    • Character: Abby, the co-protagonist of The Last of Us Part II, a former member of the Fireflies and a soldier in the Washington Liberation Front (WLF).
    • Notable Roles: Laura Bailey is one of the most recognizable voices in the industry. Her extensive credits include Kid Trunks in Dragon Ball Z, Maka Albarn in Soul Eater, Lust in Fullmetal Alchemist, and Black Widow in various Marvel projects. She also stars alongside Ashley Johnson in Critical Role. Her intense performance as Abby earned her the Best Performance award at The Game Awards 2020.

The Last of Us: Part I & Part II Supporting Voice Actors

The depth of the world created by Naughty Dog is supported by an incredible ensemble cast, many of whom are legendary in the voice acting community. These performers handled both the voice work and the complex motion capture (mo-cap), ensuring a seamless connection between the actor's physical and vocal performance. The dedication of the entire cast, including those who played the supporting roles, is what cemented the series' place in gaming history.

The following list details the key supporting characters and the talented actors who brought them to life across both major game titles:

  • Jeffrey Pierce (Tommy Miller): Joel’s younger brother. Pierce is a veteran actor who also appeared in the HBO series as a different character, Perry.
  • Shannon Woodward (Dina): Ellie's girlfriend and a central figure in Part II. Woodward is also known for her role in the HBO series Westworld.
  • Stephen A. Chang (Jesse): A key member of the Jackson community and Dina's ex-boyfriend in Part II.
  • Merle Dandridge (Marlene): The leader of the Fireflies. Dandridge is one of the few actors to reprise her exact role in the HBO television adaptation, showcasing the power of her original performance.
  • Annie Wersching (Tess): Joel's smuggling partner in Part I. Wersching was a beloved actress whose performance as Tess was a cornerstone of the first game's narrative.
  • Ian Alexander (Lev): A young, transgender Scars member and a critical companion to Abby in Part II. Alexander’s performance was groundbreaking for its representation in a major video game.
  • Victoria Grace (Yara): Lev's older sister in Part II.
  • Patrick Fugit (Owen): A former Firefly and a member of Abby's group in Part II. Fugit is known for his roles in films like Almost Famous and Gone Girl.
  • Ashley Scott (Maria): Tommy's wife and a leader in Jackson. Scott also provided her voice and likeness for the character in the first game.
  • Derek Phillips (Jerry): Abby’s father and the doctor killed by Joel in the dramatic conclusion of Part I.

The Groundbreaking Role of Motion Capture in The Last of Us

What truly sets The Last of Us cast apart is their work in performance capture, often referred to as motion capture (mo-cap). This sophisticated technology, utilized extensively by developer Naughty Dog, involves actors wearing special suits with markers that track their body movements, facial expressions, and even eye movements simultaneously while they deliver their lines. This approach allows for a level of nuance and emotional depth that was revolutionary for the medium.

The use of performance capture meant that the actors were not just providing a voice; they were physically acting out every scene together on a sound stage, much like a play or a film set. This method fostered genuine chemistry and allowed for spontaneous, unscripted moments that were later translated directly into the game's engine. The emotional intensity in scenes between Troy Baker's Joel and Ashley Johnson's Ellie, for example, is a direct result of their real-life interaction and physical presence in the mo-cap studio.

This commitment to high-fidelity performance capture is a key reason why the characters feel so real and why the story hits so hard. It is a testament to the actors' craft that they could deliver such raw, powerful performances while wearing a helmet camera and a suit covered in tracking dots. The technology elevates the video game medium by allowing the actor's full range of expression to be captured, making the characters of Ellie, Joel, and Abby some of the most complex and human ever seen in gaming.

The Lasting Legacy: Game Cast vs. HBO Series

The phenomenal success of the HBO television series, which features Pedro Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie, has only increased interest in the original game cast. The transition highlights the unique nature of the game’s performances. While the show cast has brought new life to the characters, the original Naughty Dog actors are revered for establishing the archetypes.

In a beautiful nod to their legacy, both Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson appeared in the HBO series in different, significant roles. Baker played James, a member of the cannibalistic community led by David, while Johnson played Anna Williams, Ellie's mother, in a powerful flashback sequence. Merle Dandridge was the only actor to reprise her game role as Marlene in the show. This crossover further solidifies the game cast's enduring impact and their deep connection to the franchise's universe.

The game cast of The Last of Us, through their use of voice acting and advanced motion capture, did more than just tell a story; they set a new standard for narrative and performance in video games. Their work on Part I, the Left Behind DLC, and Part II ensures their place as true pioneers, and their influence continues to be felt throughout the industry in 2025.

last of us game cast
last of us game cast

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