Sean Schemmel (born November 21, 1968) is an American voice actor, ADR director, and screenwriter known chiefly for his work in cartoons, anime, and video games. Since 1999, he has served as the adult voice for Son Goku in the English dub of the Dragon Ball franchise.
Career Initially, Schemmel never planned on becoming a voice actor; he trained to be a classical French horn player. When a friend persuaded him to audition for Dragon Ball Z, he tried out for a minor character who was going to be killed in the first season of the show. He had been recording for two weeks before he was told that he was going to be the lead. Since being cast as Son Goku by Funimation in 1999, he has been the most consistent English voice actor for the main protagonist of the Dragon Ball franchise, having voiced the character's older teen and adult incarnations in every anime series produced to date (Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, Dragon Ball Z Kai, Dragon Ball Super, and Dragon Ball Daima) and most Dragon Ball animated movies and video games, as well as other characters such as King Kai and Goku Black.
Besides voicing Goku, Schemmel has lent his voice to several other anime characters including Amidamaru in Shaman King (2001), Lucario in Pokémon and Elliot Grant in Mew Mew Power. His other roles in animation include Firefly in G.I. Joe: Sigma 6, Gonard in Kappa Mikey and Hawkman in DC Super Friends. In video games, Schemmel has provided his voice to Makuta in Bionicle, Black Doom in Shadow the Hedgehog, Maxwell in Bullet Witch, Horace in Skullgirls, Batman in The Dark Knight Rises, Sun Wukong (whom Goku was originally based on) in Smite, and Marc Wilson in Fallout 4.
In addition to his voice acting career, Schemmel was also an ADR Director and scriptwriter for NYAV Post, where he had directed and adapted for English dubs of several Japanese anime series. In the field of narration, he has won two awards for his audiobook recordings.
Personal life Schemmel was married to Melissa Cox, from 1993 to 1998. He married actress Melodee Lenz in 1998. The marriage ended nearly three years later. In a 2018 interview, Schemmel mentioned that he is on the autism spectrum.
Filmography Anime + List of dubbing performances and production work in anime television series and OVAs Year Title Role Crew Role, Notes 1999–2003; 2005 Dragon Ball Z Goku, King Kai, Nail, Vegito
Funimation dub Vegito shared w/ Christopher Sabat 2001 Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku Goku (adult) TV special Funimation dub 2001–03 Dragon Ball Goku (teen) Funimation dub Goku (young) voiced by Stephanie Nadolny 2001 Blue Gender Rick 2002 Berserk Gaston, Conrad, others 2002 Ultimate Muscle Bone Cold 2002 YuYu Hakusho Shigeru Murota, Roto, Mr. Akashi 2003 Hades Project Zeorymer Gisou OVA 2003 Samurai Deeper Kyo Nobuyuki Sanada ADR voice director, script writer 2003 Space Pirate Mito ADR voice director, script writer 2003 Sadamitsu the Destroyer Junk/Helmet ADR voice director, script writer 2003–05 Shaman King Amidamaru, Rio, Nichrom 2003–15; 2020–present Pokémon Morrison, Archie, Cyrus, Sir Aaron's Lucario, Lampent, Dracovish, Sawk, Thundurus 4Kids dub DuArt dub Iyuno Media Group dub 2003–05 Dragon Ball GT Goku (adult, Super Saiyan 4), King Kai, Gogeta (SS4) Funimation dub Goku (young) voiced by Stephanie Nadolny Gogeta shared w/ Christopher Sabat 2004 Dragon Ball GT: A Hero's Legacy Goku TV special 2004 Kiddy Grade Carvo Episode 4 2004 Seven of Seven ADR voice director, script writer 2004 Case Closed Kowalski Episode 8 2004 Giant Robo Tetsugyu OVA 2004 Domain of Murder Dispatch OVA 2004 The Gokusen Minoru Tatsukawa, Kouhei Iwamoto 2004 Fullmetal Alchemist Clause's Father Episode 4 2004 Spiral: The Bonds of Reasoning Takashi Sonobe Episodes 1–4 2004 Munto Munto OVA 2004 Shura no Toki: Age of Chaos Shinzaburo Kuki 2004 Shrine of the Morning Mist Naonori Hieda ADR voice director 2004–07; 2013–present One Piece Helmeppo, Hatchan, Chabo, Kuroobi Dr. Indigo Goku 4Kids dub Funimation dub 2005 Mobile Police Patlabor: The New Files Hiromi Yamazaki OVA 2005 Magical DoReMi Mirabelle's Father, Simon 2005 Mew Mew Power Elliot Grant, The Blue Knight 4Kids dub of Tokyo Mew Mew 2005 Midori Days Jigoru ADR voice director, script writer 2005 Piano: The Melody of a Young Girl's Heart Seiji Nomura 2005–06 The Galaxy Railways Humanoid B Episode 10 2005–06 G.I. Joe: Sigma 6 Firefly 2005 Samurai 7 Genzo Episodes 9, 11–12 2005 Ah! My Goddess 3rd Class Earth Spirit ADR voice director 2005–06 Yu-Gi-Oh! Bobasa, Karim 4Kids dub of Yu-Gi-Oh! 2005–08 Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Vellian Crowler, Ojama Yellow, Thelonious Viper, T-Bone, Mad Dog, Elemental Hero Neos, Crystal Beast Amber Mammoth, Dr. Collector, Trapper 2005 Lupin III: Island of Assassins Gordeau TV special 2006 Pokémon Chronicles Jimmy 2006 Munto 2: Beyond the Walls of Time Munto, Munto's Father OVA 2006 Ninja Nonsense Onsokumaru 2006 Outlanders Tetsuya Wakatsuki, Geobaldi OVA 2007 Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad Hiroto Episodes 23–24 2007–10 Dinosaur King Zander, Spectre, King Louis 2008–11 Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Zigzix, Greiger, MC, Rudolph Heitmann, Hans, Mr.Pitts (season 3) 2010–13;2017–18 Dragon Ball Z Kai Goku, King Kai, Nail, Vegito
Includes The Final Chapters Vegito shared w/ Christopher Sabat 2010 Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn Flaste Schole OVA 2011–15 Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal Bronk Stone, Orbital 7(episode 13–75), Kazuma Tsukumo 2016 Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn RE:0096 Flaste Schole 2017–19 Dragon Ball Super Goku, King Kai, Goku Black, Vegito Funimation dub Vegito shared w/ Christopher Sabat 2020 Radiant Pen Draig Knight B Second Season 2021 Mars Red Yoshinobu Maeda 2025 Dragon Ball Daima Goku Episode 1, Episode 19, Episode 20 2025 My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Captain Celebrity
+ List of dubbing performances in feature films Year Title Role Notes Source 2006 Padre Pio Prefect 2014 Time of Eve Katoran 2014 Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods Goku, King Kai Limited U.S. theatrical release 2015 Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' Goku Limited U.S. theatrical release 2019 Dragon Ball Super: Broly Goku, Gogeta Limited U.S. theatrical releaseGogeta shared w/ Christopher Sabat 2022 Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Goku Limited U.S. theatrical release
+ List of dubbing performances in anime films Year Title Role Crew Role, Notes 2001 Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug Goku, King Kai Funimation dub 2002 Dragon Ball Z: Cooler's Revenge Goku Funimation dub 2002 Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler Goku Funimation dub 2003 Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13! Goku Funimation dub 2003 Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan Goku, King Kai Funimation dub 2003 The Weathering Continent Guard 2 ADR voice director 2004 Blue Gender: The Warrior Rick Compilation film 2004 Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound Goku, King Kai Funimation dub 2005 Kakurenbo: Hide & Seek Noshiga 2005 Dragon Ball Z: Broly – Second Coming Goku 2005 Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly Goku 2005 Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone Goku Funimation redub 2006 Negadon: The Monster from Mars Ryuichi Narasaki 2006 Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew Lucario 2006 Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn Goku, King Kai, Gogeta Gogeta shared w/ Christopher Sabat 2006 Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon Goku 2006 Dragon Ball Z: The World's Strongest Goku Funimation redub 2006 Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might Goku, King Kai Funimation redub 2011 Yu-Gi-Oh!: Bonds Beyond Time Paradox 2011 Pokémon: Zoroark: Master of Illusions Grings Kodai 2012 Berserk: The Golden Age Arc I – The Egg of the King Gaston, General Gien 2013 Berserk: The Golden Age Arc II – The Battle for Doldrey Gaston 2013 One Piece Film: Strong World Dr. Indigo 2014 Berserk: The Golden Age Arc III – The Advent Gaston, Conrad
Animation + List of voice performances in animation Year Title Role Notes 2003–09 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Nobody, Yukio Mashimi, Constable Biggles, Sh'Okanabo, Master Khan, Zippy Lad, Various characters 2006–07 Winx Club Valtor 4Kids version 2006–08 Kappa Mikey Gonard 2006 Wulin Warriors Scar 2006 Viva Piñata Bart, Chortles Chippopotamus, Hamilton Horstachio 2006–11 Thumb Wrestling Federation Colonel Cossack, Face-Off Phil, Mr. Extremo, Dorsal Flynn, James Montgomery Flag, Lucky O'Leary, Pierre Pamplemousse, Knockout Ninja, Evil Ira, Flashback, The Visitor, The Scorchion, Mugsy Thumbscrew, Scoutmaster Scott. 2006–10 Chaotic Maxxor, Ulmar 2008–09 Three Delivery Various characters 2008–09 Speed Racer: The Next Generation Dickie Ranford, Racer X / Rex Racer, Dr. Chezko / Sparky, narrator 2009 Pat & Stan Stuart 2009–12 Huntik: Secrets & Seekers LeBlanche, Mr. Mactavish, Ghost of Sir Lancelot 2011 Shaktimaan Animated Tock English dub 2015 DC Super Friends Hawkman 2015 Sofia the First Slim, King Habib 2015 Lego Scooby-Doo! Knight Time Terror Charlie, Treasure Hunter No. 2 2016 Trip Tank Wayne, Announcer 2016 Star vs. the Forces of Evil The Box of Truth 2017 Spider-Man Sal Salerno 2020–24 Lego Monkie Kid Monkey King, Syntax, Jin 2022 The Casagrandes Mr. Vanderspeed Episode: "Race Against the Machine"
+ List of voice and dubbing performances in direct-to-video and television films Year Title Role Crew Role, Notes 2006 Impy's Island King Pumponell the 55th 2009 TMNT: Turtles Forever Raphael 84 2010 Animals United Biggie the Rhinoceros 2011 A Car's Life 2 Fender 2013 A Car's Life 3: The Royal Heist Fender, Otto, Pinion 2015 A Car's Life 4: Junkyard Blues Fender, Otto 2016 DC Super Hero Girls: Hero of the Year Dark Opal 2017 Tom and Jerry: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Mr. Salt, Mr. Turkentine
Live-action +List of dubbing performances in live-action television seriesYearTitleRoleNotes2023Ultraman ZUltraman ZeroEnglish dub2026Ultraman TeoUltraman ZeroEnglish dub
Video games + List of dubbing performances in video games Year Title Role Notes 2002 Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Goku, King Kai 2003 Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2 Goku, Vegito, Gokule 2003 Bionicle Makuta 2004 Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors Goku 2004 Yu Yu Hakusho: Dark Tournament Roto 2004 Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 Goku, King Kai, Nail, Vegito, Gogeta 2005 Dragon Ball Z: Sagas Goku 2005 Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi Goku, King Kai (Narration), Vegito, Gogeta 2005 Shadow the Hedgehog Black Doom 2006 Shadow Hearts: From the New World Ricardo Gomez 2006 Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai Goku, Vegito, Gogeta 2006 Super Dragon Ball Z Goku 2006 Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 Goku, King Kai, Vegito, Gogeta 2007 Bullet Witch Maxwell 2007 Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai – Another Road Goku, Vegito, Gogeta 2007 Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 Goku, King Kai, Nail, Vegito, Gogeta 2008 Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit Goku 2008 Dragon Ball Z: Infinite World Goku, King Kai, Vegito, Gogeta 2009 Dragon Ball: Raging Blast Goku, Vegito, Gogeta 2010 Dragon Ball Z: Tenkaichi Tag Team Goku, Vegito, Gogeta 2010 Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2 Goku, Nail, Vegito, Gogeta 2011 Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi Goku, King Kai, Vegito, Gogeta 2012 Skullgirls Horace 2012 Dragon Ball Z: For Kinect Goku, Vegito 2012 The Dark Knight Rises Batman Mobile game 2013 Gangstar Vegas Jason Malone, Radio Ads 2014 Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z Goku, Vegito 2014 Smite Sun Wukong, Thor (Heavy Metal) 2014 Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U Lucario 2015 Dragon Ball Xenoverse Goku, Tokitoki, Vegito, Gogeta 2015 Fallout 4 Strong, Marc Wilson, Male Ghouls 2015 Halo 5: Guardians Additional Voices 2016 Dragon Ball Z: Dokkan Battle Goku (Narration) Mobile game 2016 Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 Goku, Nail, Tokitoki, Vegito, Gogeta, Goku Black 2017 Dishonored: Death of the Outsider Overseers 2018 Dragon Ball FighterZ Goku, Goku Black, Vegito, Gogeta 2018 Dragon Ball Legends Goku, Vegito, Gogeta, Goku Black, Nail Mobile game 2018 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Lucario Archive audio 2020 Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Goku, King Kai, Nail, Vegito 2024 Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO Goku, Nail, Vegito, Gogeta, Goku Black
Awards