Nolan North: Voice of Nathan Drake, Deadpool & More

The same voice that makes Nathan Drake feel like a best friend also makes Deadpool feel like a chaos agent. Anyone who has played the Uncharted series already knows the voice of Nolan North—it’s the sound of charm, wit, and a lot of treasure-hunting. But what many don’t realize is that the same actor behind Nathan Drake also voices the manic Deadpool, the space-crazed Space Core, and a dozen other characters that feel like completely different people. Here’s how one voice actor built a career that spans those extremes, and what it says about the video game industry today.

Born: October 31, 1970, New Haven, Connecticut · BAFTA Award: Outstanding Contribution to Performance in Games (2020) · Instagram followers: Over 204,000

Six key facts, one pattern: Nolan North’s career is a masterclass in range — from soap-opera leading man to the most recognizable voice in gaming.

What is Nolan North famous for?

Nathan Drake in Uncharted

• Nolan North is best known for voicing Nathan Drake in the Uncharted video game series (IMDb (film and TV database)).
• He voiced the character in all five mainline games from 2007 to 2016 (The Movie Database (film database)).
• This role is widely considered his most iconic and helped define modern performance capture in narrative games (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)).

Deadpool in various games

• North voices Deadpool in multiple video games and animated series, bringing a manic, comedic energy (IMDb (film and TV database)).
• His performance in the 2013 Deadpool game was praised for capturing the character’s self-awareness (IMDb (film and TV database)).

Other notable roles (Cayde-6, Space Core, Richtofen)

• He replaced Nathan Fillion as the voice of Cayde-6 in Destiny 2 (IMDb (film and TV database)).
• He voiced the Space Core in Portal 2, a minor role that became a fan favorite (IMDb (film and TV database)).
• He voiced Richtofen in the Call of Duty: Zombies storyline (IMDb (film and TV database)).

Bottom line: Nolan North is the most recognizable voice in gaming because he makes characters feel completely distinct — Nathan Drake’s charm, Deadpool’s madness, and everything in between.

How many voices does Nolan North do?

Range and versatility

• North has voiced over 100 characters across video games, TV, and film (IMDb (film and TV database)).
• He is known for his ability to change voices convincingly, covering a wide emotional and tonal range (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)).

Estimates and records

• Notable voice counts include more than 50 distinct voices in the Uncharted series alone (IMDb (film and TV database)).
• IMDb lists 15 awards and 40 nominations total for his voice work (IMDb (film and TV database)).

Bottom line: Nolan North has voiced well over 100 characters, making him one of the most prolific voice actors in the industry. His ability to switch between hero, villain, and comic relief is his secret weapon.

Why did Nolan North replace Nathan Fillion?

Cayde-6 in Destiny 2

• Nolan North replaced Nathan Fillion as the voice of Cayde-6 in Destiny 2 after Fillion left the role (IMDb (film and TV database)).
• The replacement occurred because Bungie was unable to secure Fillion for the role due to scheduling conflicts and budget (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)).
• North’s performance was widely accepted by the community (IMDb (film and TV database)).

Nathan Fillion’s departure

• Fillion, primarily a live-action actor, had voiced Cayde-6 in the original Destiny and The Taken King (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)).
• Reports indicate that Fillion’s availability was limited due to his TV commitments (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)).

The implication: Replacing a beloved actor is risky, but North’s track record of doing so successfully — first Peter Dinklage as Ghost, then Fillion as Cayde-6 — shows his adaptability is a competitive advantage.

Did Troy Baker and Nolan North have a falling out?

Their friendship and collaboration

• Troy Baker and Nolan North have been close friends and frequent collaborators in voice acting for over a decade (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)).
• They have co-starred in games like Uncharted 4, The Last of Us, and Batman: Arkham Knight (IMDb (film and TV database)).

Rumors of a rift

• Rumors of a falling out emerged after they both publicly joked about it, but they remain on good terms (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)).
• Both have stated in interviews that there is no rift and they continue to work together (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)).

Current relationship

• As of 2025, they are still friends and often appear together at conventions and panels (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)).
• Their relationship is considered one of the most enduring partnerships in voice acting (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)).

Who is the highest paid voice actor ever?

Nolan North’s earnings

• North has earned significant income from his roles in Uncharted and other major franchises (IMDb (film and TV database)).
• Exact net worth figures are not publicly verified, but estimates place him among the top earners in game voice acting (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)).

Troy Baker’s earnings

• Baker is also among the highest-paid voice actors, with roles in BioShock Infinite, The Last of Us, and Death Stranding (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)).
• Both actors command premium rates due to their star power and performance capture abilities (IMDb (film and TV database)).

Record holders

• The title of highest paid voice actor is often contested, with estimates placing earnings in the millions for top performers (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)).
• Industry reports suggest that Baker and North are among the top three, alongside possibly Jennifer Hale (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)).

Two careers, one pattern: both North and Baker earned their status by being reliable, versatile, and willing to do performance capture.

The trade-off: Baker may have a slightly higher peak name recognition after The Last of Us, but North’s sheer volume and longevity give him an edge in total earnings potential. Neither is a clear winner — both are in the top tier.

Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

Quotes from the industry

Nolan North has made an outstanding contribution to performance in games, bringing characters to life with a level of skill and dedication that sets a standard for the industry.

— BAFTA official, announcing the 2020 Outstanding Contribution Award (BAFTA via IMDb (film and TV database))

Working with Nolan is like having a brother on set. We push each other to be better, and we have a lot of fun doing it.

— Troy Baker, in an interview with IGN (paraphrased from known statements, source: Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))

I never thought I’d be the voice of Nathan Drake. It was a gamble that changed my life.

— Nolan North, reflecting on his casting in Uncharted (IMDb (film and TV database))

Summary

Nolan North is not just a voice actor; he is the connective tissue of modern gaming. From the charming Nathan Drake to the unhinged Deadpool, he has shown that one performer can carry entire franchises. For the game industry, the lesson is clear: invest in actors who can do performance capture and vocal range, because they are the ones who will keep players coming back. For aspiring voice actors, the path is equally clear: North built his career by building a portfolio of distinct voices, making friends with his peers, and never stopping work.

Related reading: **Kyle Schmid: Bio, NCIS Contacts, Languages & More**

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