Lani Minella

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Lani Minella
Minella at a Sonic Adventure 2 cast reunion in 2024.
Born
Lani Jean Minella

(1950-07-28) July 28, 1950
San Diego, California, U.S.
Alma materSan Diego State University
Occupations
  • Voice actress
  • voice director
  • producer
Years active1992–present
Websitelaniminella.com

Lani Jean Minella (born July 28, 1950)[1] is an American voice actress, voice director, and producer mostly working in the games industry. She is also the founder and owner of the voice-acting agency AudioGodz.[2] As of August 2024, Minella was recognized by Guinness World Records as the most prolific video game voice actress, a title previously held by Jennifer Hale.[3][4]

Since starting her career and becoming well known for her unique four-octave vocal range,[5] Minella has been in multiple video game franchises such as Diablo, StarCraft, Duke Nukem, Backyard Sports, Warcraft, Baldur's Gate, Unreal, Borderlands, and Darksiders. As well, she has provided many voices for characters in a variety of other video games, most notable roles like Nancy Drew in the video game series, Gabriella in Blood II: The Chosen, Rouge the Bat and Omochao from Sonic the Hedgehog in their debut, Ivy Valentine from SoulCalibur, Eve in Mass Effect 3, and Lucas in Super Smash Bros. Minella has also done multiple roles in a game such as Sindel and Sheeva in the 2011 Mortal Kombat reboot, Gloria and the Red Run in Remothered: Tormented Fathers, and the creature voices for Clickers, Bloaters, and Runners in The Last of Us and its sequel.

Career

After college, Minella started on Morning Drive radio for an alternative station in the late 1980s. After hearing her celebrity impersonations, GTE Interactive Media contacted her and asked her to imitate voices from the film FernGully: The Last Rainforest, which was being pitched for a LaserDisc presentation to Magnavox and Philips.[6] She was then referred by the company to their CD-ROM division, where she worked on more voices and assisted script writing on games for children.[7] Minella asked the company if there were others doing similar work, and they suggested that she should go to trade shows, which led her to attend showcases like Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Game Developers Conference in San Jose, and Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, where she gave out business cards but failed to get any offers. This led her to start her AudioGodz, a production company specializing in all aspects of voiceovers from talent to casting, directing, writing and production, in 1992.[8]

In 1996, Minella worked on a major first-person shooter video game, Duke Nukem 3D, as voice director and actress, voicing most of the female characters in the series. She helped cast the voice actor of Duke Nukem, Jon St. John. She met Jon when she was cast as the voice for a commercial he was producing in San Diego. After being impressed by her voices, Jon imitated the voices back at Minella and she asked if he had ever done voice acting for video games. She shortly got him a telephone interview with the game's creator, George Broussard, and eventually got him the part of Duke.[9]

Minella's first major voice role in a video game was for HeR Interactive's adventure-mystery series Nancy Drew, starring as the titular character Nancy Drew, debuting with 1998's Secrets Can Kill. Minella reprised her role as Nancy Drew in 31 other video games, with her last being Sea of Darkness in 2015. HeR Interactive's CEO then decided to find a voice actress local to the Seattle area (Minella resides in San Diego).[10]

Personal life

Minella is half-Italian from her father's side.[11] In her spare time, she does vocal coaching, gardening, and caring for her rescue pets.[12] She lives in San Diego, California.[13][14]

Filmography

Animation

List of voice performances in animation
Year Title Role Crew role, notes Source[15]
2002Burn-Up ExcessMaya Jingu, othersEnglish dubResume
2003.hack//SIGNGirl[16]
2003GeneshaftDolce Saito, Chacha, others[17]
2006Justice League UnlimitedMayor of Central CityEpisode: "Flash and Substance"[17]
2007All Grown Up!Kid, Old WomanEpisode: "TF + KP"[17]
2018Motown MagicLorenzo[17]

Feature films

List of voice performances in feature films
Year Title Role Crew role, notes Source[15]
1992FernGully: The Last RainforestBackground voicesDebut voice role, LaserDisc release
2019The Queen's CorgiGingerUS Version[18]
2019It Chapter TwoLoop GroupTweet[19]
2025 The Colors Within Kimi's Grandmother English dub Tweet[20]

Video games

List of voice performances in video games
Year Title Role Crew role, notes, region Source[15]
1995AstalAll voices[17]
1996Bubsy 3DAll voicesVoice talent[17]
Candy Land AdventureCaptain Cookie, Princess Lolly, Queen Frostine, Gramma Nut, Tree 2, Red Ant 1, Queen Bee, Miner 1[17]
DiabloAdria the Witch, Wirt the Peg-Legged Boy[17]
1997Snowboard KidsSlash Kamei, Nancy Neil, Jam Kuehnemund, Linda Maltinie, Mr. Dog[17]
1997–2002The Land Before Time gamesLittlefoot, Cera, Ducky, Petrie, Chomper, Spike, MoVoice characterization[17]
1997Nightmare NedHilda NeedlemeyerVideo game only[17]
1998StarCraftDropship Pilot[21]
Rocky & Bullwinkle's Know-It-All Quiz GameSherman[17]
1998–2015Nancy Drew gamesNancy Drew, various characters[17]
1999Snowboard Kids 2Slash Kamei, Damien, Wendy Lane[17]
Blue StingerJanine KingVoice actor and director[17]
Evil ZoneAlty Lazel, Midori Himeno, Ihadurca[17]
Duke Nukem: Zero HourFemale CommanderVoice actor[17]
1999–2004Sonic the Hedgehog gamesStation Square Announcer, Omochao, Rouge the Bat, VoidVoice actor and director; US/EUR/NA[17]
1999Tail ConcertoWaffle Ryebread, Panta[17]
40 WinksRuff, Tumble, Robot Tumble, mother[22]
2000Maken XVarious voices[23]
Evil Dead: Hail to the KingAnne Knowby, Grammy, Deadites[17]
D2Martha[24]
2001Diablo II: Lord of DestructionBlood Raven, The Countess, Andariel, Malah, Ancients[17]
Half-Life: DecayColette Green[17]
AirBladeKatVoice actor and director[17]
Frogger: The Great QuestVarious characters[17]
IllbleedEriko Christy, various characters[25]
2002Backyard Baseball 2003Sunny Day, Vinnie the Gooch, others[17]
Slots from Bally GamingOlive Oyl, Betty Boop[17]
Backyard FootballSunny Day, others[17]
2003 Backyard Soccer 2004Sunny Day, Earl Grey, others[17]
Rogue OpsNikki Connors[15]
Go! Go! HypergrindPiggy Sue, Bob, Jenny[17]
2004Counter-Strike: Condition ZeroFemale VOs (deleted scenes)Casting (over 200 voices), director[26]
2005Devil May Cry 3: Dante's AwakeningFemale Spider, Reaper Creature[15]
2005–presentSoulcalibur gamesIvy ValentineVoice actor[17]
2006The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle Earth IIGaladriel, Spider Rider[17]
Runaway 2: The Dream of TurtleGina Timmins, Tarantula, Alpha, Aolani, Rosa[17]
2007Fire Emblem: Radiant DawnMia, Micaiah, Mist, various othersVoice actor[17]
2007-2013, 2018Professor Layton gamesLuke (US English), Flora, Emmy, various others[17]
2008Super Smash Bros. BrawlLucas, Lyn (English), Pit (English)[15]
Penumbra: Black PlagueHive Mind[17]
Penumbra: RequiemDr. Richard Eminiss[17]
2009Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2Lucia von Bardas[17]
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter GamesOmochaoDS version only; archive footage[17]
BorderlandsCommandant Steele[17]
New Super Mario Bros. WiiLarry Koopa, Morton Koopa Jr., Wendy O. Koopa and Lemmy Koopa[15]
2010DarksidersSilitha, Tiamat[17]
Amnesia: The Dark DescentGirl, Mother, ClariceVoice director[17]
2011Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II – RetributionHive Mind[17]
The Elder Scrolls V: SkyrimThe Night Mother, Nocturnal, Aranea Ienith, Cindiri Arano, Dravynea the Stoneweaver, Idesa Sadri, Ildari Sarothril, Irileth, Jenassa, Marise Aravel, Niluva Hlaalu, Priestess of Boethiah, Sabine Nytte, Suvaris Atheron, Synda Llanith, Tilisu Severin, Katria, Female Dunmer[26]
Mortal KombatSindel, Sheeva[27]
2012Mass Effect 3Eve, Asari Medic[17]
New Super Mario Bros. 2Larry, Morton, Wendy and Lemmy[15]
LuciusMary[17]
New Super Mario Bros. ULarry, Morton, Wendy and Lemmy[15][28]
2013StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmSlivan[17]
The Last of UsClickers, Runners, BloatersVoice actor[17]
2014StriderNang Pooh, Xi Mang Wu, Female broadcaster[17]
Off The Record: The Italian AffairGabriella[17]
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii ULarry, Morton, Wendy, Lemmy, Lyn (English), and Lucas[17]
2015AwesomenautsNibbs[29]
2016Rad Rodgers: World OneThe Jungle Elder[17]
2017Fire Emblem HeroesMia[17]
XCOM 2 War of the ChosenChosen Assassin[17]
Remothered: Tormented FathersGloria, Red NunAs Lani "Alien Ilmann" Minella[30][26]
2018SubnauticaSea Emperor Leviathan[17]
Remothered: Tormented FathersGloria Ashmann, Red Nun[17]
War for the Overworld: The Under GamesOverlord Lamash[31]
God of WarPesta[32]
Bendy and the Ink MachineLacie Benton[33]
Super Smash Bros. UltimateLucas, Lyn (English), Larry, Morton, Wendy, Lemmy[17]
2019MediEvilNarrator[34]
2020Summit of the WolfAdena, Deana Kethagee, Epha Ilo, Narrator, Ori, SallyGropner, Wanda the Tree
The Last of Us Part IIClickers, Runners, BloatersVoice actor[17]
Wasteland 3Other VO(Less than 40 lines) (As Lani Manilla)
Remothered: Broken PorcelainThe Keeper
Sim Settlements 2Judge Bishop, Shhandy
World of Warcraft: ShadowlandsAdditional voices
Remothered: Double PackGloria Ashmann
2021Choices: Stories You PlayOlivia Ashton, Rachel Winthrop, Mary Zilberg, Kenna Rys, Audrey, Fiddler, Officer Dawes
The Captain is DeadDiplomat
Shadow Man RemasteredNettie
Mass Effect: Legendary EditionEve, Asari Medic
Chivalry 2Female Agathian Warrior
Happy's Humble Burger FarmHappy the Humble Heifer, Monsters
2022Sucker for Love: First DateNyanlathotepVoice actor[1]
Lord of the Rings Online: Rangers and RuinsHrimil
God of War RagnarökRaven Keeper
Chivalry 2: Tenosian InvasionTenosian Tigris
Hearthstone: Voyage to the Sunken CityLady S'Theno, Eelbound archer, Twinbow Terrorcoil[26]
Identity VKeigan Nicholas Keogh (Clerk)[26][35]
Back 4 Blood ("Tunnels of Terror")Cultist Sniper[26]
OverlodeFemale Drone[26]
2023Dead Space (remake)Necromorph[26]
Killer Klowns from Outer Space (the game)Klownzilla, Tank, Tracker, ScoutCasting, director[26]

Podcast

List of voice performances in podcasts
Year Title Role Notes Source[15]
2016–2017 Liberty: Critical Research Baal
2016–2019 Liberty: Tales From the Tower Various
2017–2022 The White Vault Dr. Rosa De La Torre Main; season 1-2; guest season 4; recurring season 5) [36][37]
2020–2021 VAST Horizon Commander Graan

References

  1. "Lani Jean Minella". californiabirthindex.org. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  2. Gnatek, Tim (November 4, 2004). "Giving Voice to Video Games". The New York Times. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  3. Minella, Lani (September 15, 2025). "Wow, I'm so thrilled!". X.com. Retrieved September 24, 2025.
  4. "Most prolific videogame voice actor (female)". Guinness World Records. August 30, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2025.
  5. "Lani Minella – Videogame Voices". NandrewForever YouTube channel. June 28, 2011. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
  6. Sweeney, John (November 2, 2015). "Performance Matters: Interview with Veteran Voice Actress Lani Minella". SuperNerdLand. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  7. AKA Knuckles Echidna, Josh (April 2, 2001). "Lani Minella interview". Sonic Retro. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  8. Shirgley, Chris (July 30, 2015). "Immortal Darkness Interview: Lani Minella, Voice Actor". Immortal Darkness. Archived from the original on October 24, 2018. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  9. Dominguez, James (August 27, 2014). "Duke Nukem speaks: how a radio station director became one of gaming's most iconic voices". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  10. "Interview with Lani Minella". Phoenix Star. January 23, 2015. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  11. "Interview with Lani Minella: face to face with Ms. Gloria". Remothered.com. April 11, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  12. "About". thewhitevault.com. 2014. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  13. Allyn, Richard (2011-06-24). "San Diego woman is the voice behind hundreds of video games". cbs8.com. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
  14. Maltbie, Benjamin (2012-07-27). "Interview: Jon St. John, the Voice of Duke Nukem". GodisaGeek.com. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
  15. "Lani Minella's Credits" (PDF). Lani Minella. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  16. ".hack // SIGN (TV) – Anime News Network". Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  17. "Lani Minella (visual voices guide)". BTVA (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). Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  18. "I play a redhead Scottish stable boy Ginger in this". Retrieved December 7, 2018 – via Facebook.
  19. Minella, Lani [@LaniMinella] (September 12, 2019). "Just heard a few of my creature voices made it into this movie. After it's been out a while and if I get to see it, I'll let you know which ones. Yay!" (Tweet). Retrieved September 12, 2019 – via Twitter.
  20. GKids [@GKIDSfilms] (December 4, 2024). "Additional Cast (1/2): Hinano Kuzukawa - Saku Eden Harker - Shiho Maxine Wanderer - Sumika Lani Minella - Kimi's Grandmother Colleen Clinkenbeard - Rui's Mother" (Tweet) – via X (formerly Twitter).
  21. "Phoenix Interviews Lani Minella". 17 August 2012. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21 – via YouTube.
  22. "Isn't that your voice? 🙂". September 4, 2018. Retrieved June 8, 2019 – via Facebook.
  23. Atlus (2000-04-21). Maken X (Dreamcast). Sega. Scene: Credits.
  24. "thanks to Joshua Negron for digging up one of the voices I did in Dreamcast's D2". June 30, 2017. Retrieved June 8, 2019 – via Facebook.
  25. "Illbleed (2001) Game Manual" (PDF). Retrieved 2026-02-06.
  26. "Lani Minella resume" (PDF). Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  27. Minella, Lani [@LaniMinella] (March 17, 2015). "@Isti91 No I was in Mortal Kombat 9 as Sindel and Sheeva. Never contacted about X." (Tweet). Retrieved February 28, 2018 – via Twitter.
  28. "New Super Mario Bros. U".
  29. "Ronimo Games' YouTube Channel". 2 March 2015 – via YouTube.
  30. "Let us introduce you to Lani Minella". March 28, 2017. Archived from the original on 2022-02-26. Retrieved December 7, 2018 – via Facebook.
  31. Minella, Lani [@LaniMinella] (April 18, 2018). "Meet Underlord Lamash – War for the Overworld: The Under Games youtu.be/ynZnkgCwnXQ via @YouTube 2 days until release. Check it out. I play other characters too. Fantastic company and people to work with!!!" (Tweet). Retrieved April 25, 2018 – via Twitter.
  32. Minella, Lani [@LaniMinella] (April 20, 2018). "God of War – Story Trailer | PS4 youtu.be/K0u_kAWLJOA via @YouTube Out today! Lucky to play a norse witch (Pesta). Check it out. Thank you Sony!" (Tweet). Retrieved April 25, 2018 – via Twitter.
  33. "Thanks to Lauren Synger and theMeatly, I am honored to be part of Bendy and the Ink Machine. Very fun game. Check it out". May 2, 2018. Retrieved June 8, 2019 – via Facebook.
  34. Minella, Lani [@LaniMinella] (May 9, 2019). "Here is just the clip from today's live Sony announcement. Yes I'm the Narrator and thankful" (Tweet). Retrieved June 8, 2019 – via Twitter.
  35. Minella, Lani [@LaniMinella] (March 24, 2022). "Happy to be these voices in this game..identity V. Enjoy!" (Tweet). Retrieved October 16, 2022 – via Twitter.
  36. "About Us". The White Vault Podcast. Retrieved 2022-06-30.
  37. "The White Vault". The White Vault Podcast. Retrieved 2022-06-30.