Daran Norris

Daran Norris
Norris in 2025
Born	Daran Morrison Nordland November 1, 1964 (1964-11) (age 60) Ferndale, Washington, U.S. [1]
Other names	Justin Shyder [2] Chris Baker Bob Thomas Aaron Weslee James Penrod [2]
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1988–present
Spouses	Mary Elizabeth McGlynn ​ ​ (m. 1988;div. 2012)​ Ray Garcia ​ (m. 2021)​

Daran Morrison Nordland (born November 1, 1964), ^[1] known professionally as Daran Norris, is an American actor. He has appeared or voiced characters in more than 400 films, video games, and television programs, including: Gordy in Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide ; Cliff McCormack in Veronica Mars ; the voices of Cosmo, Mr. Turner, Jorgen Von Strangle, and Anti-Cosmo in The Fairly OddParents franchise; Buddha Bob in Big Time Rush ; Spottswoode in Team America: World Police , Knock Out in Transformers: Prime and Jack Smith on AmericanDad!. In anime, he is best known for his roles as Tasuki and Mercurymon in the English dubs of Fushigi Yûgi and Digimon Frontier respectively.

Career

Norris has been an actor since 1988, beginning such work in television commercials for Pop-Tarts, and moving into film, television, and voice work in the 1990s.

Live action

His first film was Hobgoblins in 1988. Afterwards, he moved to television. He is known for playing Gordy in 44 episodes of Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide . ^{[3] [4]} Gordy is the "school's lazy, wacky janitor" who always goads Ned into rash actions ^[5] while acting as Ned's go-to guy for advice. ^[6] Norris recurred as Buddha Bob in the 2009 series Big Time Rush . ^{[2] [7] [8]}

He portrayed Cliff McCormack, a public defender and family friend in the television drama Veronica Mars . ^[3] The character of McCormack served as an ally to Keith and Veronica Mars and a client of Mars Investigations. He reprised the role in the movie, released in 2014, ^[9] and the fourth season, which debuted on Hulu in 2019. ^[10] He recurred on Rob Thomas's subsequent series, iZombie as weatherman turned anchorman Johnny Frost, from 2015 to 2019. ^[11]

In 2015, it was announced that Norris would star as Phil Hartman in a film about him, directed by Jason Priestley. ^[12] As of 2022, the film has yet to begin development.

Voice acting

Among his voice projects, Norris voiced Count Spankulot and various others in 22 episodes of Codename: Kids Next Door from 2002 through 2007, and 18 episodes of The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack from 2008 through 2009. He is noted for voicing the lead Dick Daring in 71 episodes of The Replacements from 2006 through 2009, and for voicing Mr. Turner, Cosmo, and Jorgen Von Strangle, for The Fairly OddParents franchise from 2001 to present, ^[3] including 126 episodes of the television series, six specials, and seven TV movies, and reprised the roles for the related Jimmy Timmy Power Hour trilogy: The Jimmy Timmy Power Hour , The Jimmy Timmy Power Hour 2: When Nerds Collide , and The Jimmy Timmy Power Hour 3: The Jerkinators . ^{[2] [7] [8]}

In October 2010, Norris voiced the Decepticon 'Knock Out' in The Hub TV network original series, Transformers: Prime . Norris recurs as the voice of The Chief and The Chameleon in the 2010 series T.U.F.F. Puppy . He also played Mr. Turner in the special live-action television film A Fairly Odd Movie: Grow Up, Timmy Turner! . ^{[2] [7] [8]} He also is the voice of Jack Smith (Stan Smith's estranged father) on American Dad! .

In anime, he has voice acted in the English dub for the series Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex .

In video games, he voiced Venom and various characters in the 2000 video game Spider-Man .

Norris has also done voice work for Burger King commercials.

Personal life

Born in 1964 in Ferndale, Washington, ^[1] Norris graduated from Ferndale High School in 1983, and married voice actress Mary Elizabeth McGlynn in 1988. They divorced in 2012.

Norris operates a performing arts school in Texas with his husband, Ray Garcia, who is also an actor whom he wed in 2021. ^[13] They live in Bay City, where he is a board member and director of the Community Actors of South Texas. ^[14]

Filmography

Live action roles

Film

Year	Title	Role(s)	Notes
1988	Hobgoblins	Club Scum MC
1989	Vice Academy	Laundromat John
1998	Billy Frankenstein	George	Credited as Daran W. Norris
	Invisible Dad	Andrew Baily	Direct-to-video
	The Souler Opposite	Young Man
1999	The Kid with X-ray Eyes	Harry Stamper
2001	In the Bedroom	Red Sox Replay	Voice role
2004	The Greatest Short Film Ever!!!	Director	Short film
	Comic Book: The Movie	Commander Courage / Bruce Easly
2007	Jekyll	Emcee
2008	El Sonoma	Janitor Smithson
2013	I Know That Voice	Himself	Documentary
2014	Veronica Mars	Cliff McCormack
2023	The Killer	Deep South Lounge Greeter

Television

Year	Title	Role(s)	Notes
1991	Earth Angel	Flat Top	Television film
1995–1996	Mad TV	Waiter / Passbyer
1999	Becker	Man	Episode: "Choose Me"
	The Jersey	Counselor	Episode: "Heroes"
2002	Son of the Beach	Karaoke Emcee	Episode: "Empty the Dragon"
2004–2007	Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide	Gordy Cosmo	Recurring role (season 1); main role (seasons 2–3) Voice role (season 1)
2004–2007, 2019	Veronica Mars	Cliff McCormack	Recurring role
2005	Grounded for Life	Glamorous Man	Episode: "Tom Sawyer"
2007	Ben 10: Race Against Time	Diamondhead	Voice; television film [15]
2008	Gym Teacher: The Movie	Announcer	Television film
2009	Imagination Movers	Captain Terrific	Episode: "Captain Terrific"
	Party Down	Tony Carolla	Episode: "Investors Dinner"
	Tracey Ullman's State of the Union	Larry King	Episode 2.1
2009–2013	Big Time Rush	Buddha Bob	Recurring role
2011	A Fairly Odd Movie: Grow Up, Timmy Turner!	Cosmo/Mr. Turner	Television film
	Desperate Housewives	Phil	Episode: "The Art of Making Art"
2012	A Fairly Odd Christmas	Cosmo/Mr. Turner	Television film
2014	A Fairly Odd Summer	Cosmo/Mr. Turner	Television film
2015	Dog with a Blog	Colonel Fink	Episode: "Stan's Secret is Out"
2015–2019	iZombie	Johnny Frost	Recurring role, 12 episodes
2016	Gamer's Guide to Pretty Much Everything	Jefferson Landry	Episode: "The Cabin"
	100 Things to Do Before High School	Janitor	Episode: "Leave Your Mark Thing!"; uncredited[ citation needed ]
	The Real O'Neals	Game Show Host	Episode: "The Real Dates"
2018	The Thundermans	Commander Dirk Trumbo	Episode: "The Thunder Games"
2022	The Fairly OddParents: Fairly Odder	Cosmo, Jorgen Von Strangle [16]	Voice role
2025	The Thundermans: Undercover	Thunderford [17]	Recurring role

Voice roles

Animation

Year	Title	Role(s)	Notes
1998–2001	Oh Yeah! Cartoons	Cosmo, Jorgen Von Strangle, Mr. Turner, various voices	[15]
2000	Rocket Power	TV Reporter	Episode: "Snow Day/Welcome to the Club"
	Garbage Island	Santa Claus
2001	Jason and the Heroes of Mount Olympus	Dracchus	[15]
2001–2002	Time Squad	XJ5, Samuel Adams, Sinon, Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Louis Pasteur, Davy Crockett, Jack the Ripper, William Shakespeare, Phileander Knox / Vampire
2001–2003	Oswald	Egbert, various voices	[15]
2001–2004; 2017	Samurai Jack	X-49, Ra, Rama, Spartok, Gentleman, Barber, Chartman, Pirate Captain, Max
2001–2017	The Fairly OddParents	Cosmo, Jorgen Von Strangle, Mr. Turner, various voices	Main role [15]
2002–2004	The Powerpuff Girls	Stanley Practice, Voodooric, various voices	[15]
2002–2005	The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius	Nanobot #1, Baby Quackers	3 episodes [15]
2002–2008	Codename: Kids Next Door	Count Spankulot, Big Brother, Judge Heerkumsduh, various voices	[15]
2003	What's New, Scooby-Doo?	Ugo DiRinaldi, Shopkeeper, Camel Sam, Tourist Dad, Sheriff
	My Life as a Teenage Robot	Shop Teacher, Mopey, Old Lady No. 2	Episode: "Attack of the 5 1/2 Ft. Geek/Doom with a View" [15]
2003–2005	Star Wars: Clone Wars	Durge, Ki-Adi-Mundi, Tarr Seirr, Daakmen Barrek, Even Piell	[15]
	Tutenstein	Luxor, additional voices	Seasons 1–2; as Vince Del Castillo
2004	Johnny Bravo	Webble Wobble, Arctic Hound, Gardener, Horse, Weightlifter	2 episodes [15]
	Megas XLR	Gynok, Brock	Episode: "Thanksgiving Throwdown" [15]
	Go Go Moba Boy	Henrich Strack/Destructo Man, Barf Bunny	Pilot
2004–2006	Jimmy Timmy Power Hour	Cosmo, Mr. Turner, Jorgen Von Strangle, Anti-Cosmo	Television film [15]
2005	Stroker & Hoop	Santa Claus, Elf, Mall Cop	[15]
	Danny Phantom	Bullet, Newscaster	Episode: "Public Enemies" [15]
	Duck Dodgers	Fox Bounty Hunter, Cyborg No. 1, Hungortus	Episode: "Good Duck Hunting/Consumption Overruled" [15]
	The Batman	Brent	Episode: "Meltdown" [15]
	The Buzz on Maggie	Dr. Electric, Flynator
2005–2006	The Life and Times of Juniper Lee	Mr. Radcliffe, Camel, Steven the Sandman, Mr. Rosskins
2005–2022	American Dad!	Jack Smith
2006–2009	The Replacements	Dick Daring	[15]
2006	W.I.T.C.H.	Tynar	Episode: "B is for Betrayal"
	Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends	Imaginary Man	Episode: "Challenge of the Superfriends" [15]
	Loonatics Unleashed	Ralph Runner, Alien Dad	Episode: "The Family Business" [15]
2007	Random! Cartoons	Conrad	Episode: "SamSquatch"
	El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera	Emilliano Suarez, various voices	[15]
	Chowder	Bubble Gum Vendor, Screaming Vendor	Episode: "Grubble Gum"
2007–2015	WordGirl	Seymour Smooth, Nocan the Contrarian
2008–2009	The Spectacular Spider-Man	J. Jonah Jameson, John Jameson / Colonel Jupiter	[15]
	The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack	Dock Hag, Dashing Danny, various voices
2010	DC Super Friends	Batman	Short [15]
	Handy Manny	Jack	Episode: "Big Construction Job"
2010–2012	Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil	Additional voices
2010–2015	T.U.F.F. Puppy	The Chief, The Chameleon, Jack Rabbit, Bad Dog, various voices	[15]
2011	Generator Rex	Coach, Burly Jock	Episode: "Without A Paddle" [15]
	Dan Vs.	Colby	Episode: "Dan Vs. The Family Camping Trip"
	Fish Hooks	Scientist	Episode: "Parasite Fight" [15]
	Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated	Skipper's Brother	Episode: "The Sirens Song"
	Back at the Barnyard	Leader	Episode: "Aliens!!!" [15]
2011–2013	Transformers: Prime	Knock Out, Trooper No. 3, Seeker No. 1	[15]
2012	The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes	Police Chief	Episode: "Along Came a Spider"
2013–2016	Turbo Fast	Mel Shellman, Dr. Shellman, Line Cutter Snail, Worker Snail No. 1, Old Timey Announcer, Bailiff, Spa Yetti, Mama Shellman, Bulgarian Television Announcer, Land Shark	[15]
2015	Wabbit	Sir Littlechin	Episode: "St. Bugs and the Dragon"
2015–2016	Mixels	Snoof, Waka, Spugg, Tiketz, Mixapod	2 episodes [15]
2016	Bunnicula	Agent 51	Episode: "Area 50 Bunn" [15]
	Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles	Wingnut	Episode: "Bat in the Belfry" [15]
	The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show	Allan Pinkerton	Episode: "Allan Pinkerton" [15]
	Wander Over Yonder	Mittens	Episode: "The End of the Galaxy" [15]
2016–2022	The Loud House	Various voices	8 episodes [15]
2017–2018	Bunsen Is a Beast	Cosmo, Mr. Turner, Troll No. 2, Fuzzy Fred Friendly, TV, narrator	3 episodes [15]
2018–2019	The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle	Narrator, Evil Chicken	Series regular
2019–2022	Victor and Valentino	Bone Boys Mic & Hun
2021	The Casagrandes	Coach Niblick	Episode: "Tee'd Off"
2022	Transformers: EarthSpark	Mr. Smelt	Episode: "Family and Friends" [15]
2023	The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder	Clone Papi	Episode: "Us Again"
	Hailey's On It!	Rod Toolman	Episode: "U.F.Whoa!" [15]
2024	The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish	Cosmo, Jorgen Von Strangle, Anti-Cosmo	Main role [18]

Anime

Year	Title	Role(s)	Notes
1989	Akira	Gym Teacher	English dub [15]
1993	Doomed Megaopolis	Astronomy Teacher	English dub
1996	Hyper Doll	Detective Todo
	Giant Robo	Zangetsu the Mid-day	English dub (Animaze dub)
1997	Black Jack	Tokio Umetani	English dub
	Street Fighter II V	Narrator	English dub (Manga Ent. version)
	El Hazard: The Wanderers	Villager	English dub
1998	Fushigi Yûgi	Tasuki
	Bastard!!	Dark Schneider
1999	Cowboy Bebop	Cowboy Andy Von de Oniyate, Morgan
	Battle Athletes Victory	Lahrri's Coach, Exercise Voice
2000	Dinozaurs	Dino Toro, Dark Dragon
	Outlaw Star	Ctarl Ctarl officer
2001	Mon Colle Knights	Gabriolis, Redda
	Gate Keepers	Fiancé
	Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team	Yuri Kellarney
2001–2002	Transformers: Robots in Disguise	Heavy Load
2002–2003	Digimon Frontier	Mercurymon, Sakkakumon
2003–2005	Lupin the 3rd Part II	Marcal Daran/George Marshall, H. Von Meyer
2004	Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex	Nanao
2005	Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. 2nd GIG	Sergeant Rod
	Naruto	Sangorou
2010	Stitch!	Peter / Goodman	English dub; episodes 18 & 24
2011	Marvel Anime: Iron Man	Editor Nomura	English dub
2012–2013	Tiger & Bunny	Alexander Lloyds, Mario

Film

Year	Title	Role(s)	Notes
1995	Meltdown	The Doctor	American dub (2001)
1996	They Were Eleven	Doctor, Instructor No. 1	English dub
1998	Ninku: The Movie	Touji
2001	Ah! My Goddess: The Movie	Hikozaemon Ohtaki
2002	Cowboy Bebop: The Movie	Vincent Volaju	English dub [15]
2003	The Little Polar Bear	Brutus	English dub
	WXIII: Patlabor the Movie 3	Kiichi Goto
2004	Team America: World Police	Spottswoode	[15]
2006	Asterix and the Vikings	Vitalstatsisx	English dub [15]
2007	Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow	Sandayu Asama	English dub
2008	Bolt	Louie	[15]
2009	Naruto Shippuden the Movie	Mouryou	English dub
2013	Escape from Planet Earth	Orientation Film Host	[15]
	Tiger & Bunny: The Beginning	Alexander Lloyds, Mario	English dub
	Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising	Knock Out
2021	Seal Team	Roger, Radio DJ	[15]

Video games

Year	Title	Role(s)	Notes
1997	Dilbert's Desktop Games	Techno Bill, Cheesy Announcer, Fool Voices
1998	Jade Cocoon: Story of the Tamamayu	Koris, Kikinak
	King's Quest VIII: Mask of Eternity	Ice Lord, King Graham, Weapons Dealer Gnome
2000	Spider-Man	Venom/Eddie Brock, Mysterio, Scorpion, Captain America, Human Torch, Punisher	[15]
	Ground Control	Squad and Dropship Voices
2001	Spider-Man 2: Enter Electro	Shocker, Beetle, Sandman, Charles Xavier, Thug
2002	The Scorpion King: Rise of the Akkadian	Hammet, Set
	The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring	Aragorn, Tom Bombadil	Credited as Darren Norris [15]
	Star Wars: The Clone Wars	Dark Acolyte, engineer, Old Obi-Wan
	The Mark of Kri	Rongo	[15]
	Minority Report	Roy Verhaegen
2003	.hack//Infection	Piros	English version [15]
	.hack//Mutation	Piros
	Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic	Zelka Forn
	The Hobbit	Gollum	Credited as Darren Norris
	The Fairly OddParents: Breakin' da Rules	Cosmo, Jorgen Von Strangle, Mr. Turner, Crimson Chin, Comicbook Anchorman	[15]
	Armed & Dangerous	Henry, Q1–12, Shrub Patrol 1	Credited as Darren Norris
	.hack//Outbreak	Piros	English version
	Nickelodeon Toon Twister 3-D	Cosmo	[15]
	Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge	Soloho Salawa, Deputy, Militia
2004	Onimusha Blade Warriors	Osric	English version [15]
	.hack//Quarantine	Piros
	Tales of Symphonia	Rodyle, Shadow
	The Fairly OddParents: Shadow Showdown	Cosmo, Jorgen Von Strangle, Mr. Turner, Crimson Chin, Comicbook Anchorman
	Onimusha 3: Demon Siege	Soldier	[15]
	Transformers	Red Alert, Cyclonus
	EverQuest II	Generic Amygdalan Enemy, Generic Dragon Enemy, Generic Centaur Enemy
	Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines	Officer Chunk, Simon Milligan, Cal	[19]
	Nicktoons Movin'	Cosmo	[15]
	Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords	G0-T0
2005	Nicktoons Unite!	Cosmo, Jorgen Von Strangle
	Doom 3	Sergeant Kelly	Credited as Darran Norris
	Madagascar	Announcer, sailor, Construction Worker, Cop	[15]
	Codename: Kids Next Door – Operation: V.I.D.E.O.G.A.M.E.	Count Spankulot
	Kingdom of Paradise	Uzo	English version
	Ratchet: Deadlocked	Dallas
2006	Naruto: Ultimate Ninja	Gatou, Kaji	English version
	.hack//G.U. vol.1//Rebirth	Piros the 3rd, Grein, Salvador Aihara	English version [15]
	God Hand	Belze, Great Sensei
	Nicktoons: Battle for Volcano Island	Cosmo	[15]
2007	.hack//G.U. vol.2//Reminisce	Piros the 3rd, Grein, Salvador Aihara	English version [15]
	Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction	Narrator
	.hack//G.U. vol.3//Redemption	Piros the 3rd, Grein, Salvador Aihara	English version [15]
	Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots	Cosmo, Jorgen von Strangle	[15]
	Bee Movie Game	Honex
2008	Ninja Gaiden II	Volf	English version [15]
	Spider-Man: Web of Shadows	J. Jonah Jameson	[15]
	Kung Fu Panda: Legendary Warriors	Gorilla Boss, Yak Minion No. 1
2009	Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2	Volf	English version
2010	Final Fantasy XIII	Cocoon Inhabitants
2011	Star Wars: The Old Republic	Gault Rennow, Colonel Darok	[15]
2012	Transformers: Prime – The Game	Knock Out
2025	Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny	Cosmo	[20]

References

1. Thomas S. Hischak (October 6, 2011). Disney Voice Actors: A Biographical Dictionary. McFarland. pp. 156–. ISBN   978-0-7864-8694-6.
2. "Daran Norris". VoiceChasers.com. Archived from the original on May 27, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
3. Lloyd, Robert (June 8, 2007). "Nick's 'Ned's' Got Straight- A's All the Way; The Middle-School Saga Comes to an End, but It Leaves a Yearbook Filled with Smart Characters, Fun Gags and Real Advice". Los Angeles Times . pp. E.27. Retrieved December 21, 2010.^{[ dead link ]}
4. Dalton, Mary M.; Linder, Laura R. (2008). Teacher TV: Sixty Years of Teachers on Television. Volume 320 of Counterpoints: Studies in the Postmodern Theory of Education (illustrated ed.). Peter Lang. p. 141. ISBN   978-0-8204-9715-0.
5. Mavis, Paul (August 27, 2007). "Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide: Field, Trips, Permission Slips, Signs and Weasels". DVD Talk . Retrieved December 21, 2010.
6. Gutierrez, Albert. ""Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide": Special Field Trip Edition DVD Review". DVDizzy.com. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
7. "Daran Norris Biography". FilmReference.com. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
8. "Daran Norris: Biography". TV Guide . Retrieved December 18, 2010.
9. "Three More Return for 'Mars' Movie". HuffPost . June 12, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
10. Piwowarski, Allison (July 19, 2019). "The 'Veronica Mars' Season 4 Cameos Are The Perfect Homage To The Earlier Seasons". Bustle. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
11. Pai, Tanya (February 2, 2016). "4 Reasons to Watch Tonight's iZombie/Veronica Mars Crossover". Vox.com . Retrieved June 26, 2022.
12. Barsanti, Sam (December 2, 2015). "Daran Norris to Star in Phil Hartman Biopic Directed by Jason Priestley". The A.V. Club. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
13. "Daran Norris". SBV Talent Agency. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
14. "Cast presents 'The Red Velvet Cake War'". Bay City Tribune . April 14, 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
15. "Daran Norris (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved January 15, 2024. 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.
16. Schwartz, Ryan (February 23, 2022). "Does Live-Action Fairly OddParents Revival Capture OG Nicktoon's Tone? Watch Trailer, Get Premiere Date". TVLine. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
17. Petski, Denise (December 19, 2024). "'The Thundermans: Undercover' Spinoff Series Gets Premiere Date, Trailer & First Photos". Deadline . Retrieved December 19, 2024.
18. Otterson, Joe (February 23, 2024). "'Fairly OddParents' Sequel Series Ordered at Nickelodeon With Original Voice Actors Returning". Variety. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
19. Troika Games. Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines. Activision. Scene: Ending credits, 2:05 in, Voice Over Actors.
20. IGN (July 2, 2025). Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny - Official Timmy Turner Showcase Trailer . Retrieved August 18, 2025– via YouTube.

External links

• Daran Norris at IMDb
• Daran Norris at Anime News Network 's encyclopedia