Lani Minella

Last updated
Lani Minella
Born
Lani Jean Minella

(1950-07-28) July 28, 1950 (age 74)
San Diego, California, U.S.
Alma mater San Diego State University
Occupations
  • Voice actress
  • voice director
  • producer
Years active1992–present
Website laniminella.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]

Contents

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. [3] 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. [4] 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. [5]

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. [6]

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). [7]

Since starting her career and becoming well known for her unique four-octave vocal range, [8] Minella has provided voices for many voices for other characters in a variety of video games, including Rouge the Bat in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, Ivy Valentine in the Soulcalibur series, and Lucas in the Super Smash Bros. series.

Personal life

Minella is half-Italian from her father's side. [9] In her spare time, she does vocal coaching, gardening, and caring for her rescue pets. [10] She lives in San Diego, California. [11] [12]

Filmography

Animation

List of voice performances in animation
YearTitleRoleCrew role, notesSource [13]
2002 Burn-Up Excess Maya Jingu, othersEnglish dubResume
2003 .hack//SIGN GirlEnglish dub [14]
2003 Geneshaft Dolce Saito, Chacha, othersEnglish dub [15]
2006 Justice League Unlimited Mayor of Central City Episode: "Flash and Substance" [15]
2007 All Grown Up! Kid, Old WomanEpisode: "TF + KP" [15]
2018 Motown Magic Lorenzo [15]

Feature films

List of voice performances in feature films
YearTitleRoleCrew role, notesSource [13]
1992 FernGully: The Last Rainforest Background voicesDebut voice role, LaserDisc release
2019 The Queen's Corgi GingerUS Version [16]
2019 It Chapter Two Loop GroupTweet [17]
2025 The Colors Within Kimi's GrandmotherEnglish dubTweet [18]

Video games

List of voice performances in video games
YearTitleRoleCrew role, notes, regionSource [13]
1995 Astal All voices [15]
Avengers in Galactic Storm Crystal, Doctor Minerva
Night LightAll voices except PixelVoice actor and script writer
1996 Bubsy 3D All voicesVoice talent [15]
Candy Land AdventureCaptain Cookie, Princess Lolly, Queen Frostine, Gramma Nut, Tree 2, Red Ant 1, Queen Bee, Miner 1 [15]
Diablo Adria the Witch, Wirt the Peg-Legged Boy [15]
1997 Snowboard Kids Slash Kamei, Nancy Neil, Jam Kuehnemund, Linda Maltinie, Mr. Dog [15]
1997–2002 The Land Before Time gamesLittlefoot, Cera, Ducky, Petrie, Chomper, Spike, MoVoice characterization [15]
1997 Nightmare Ned Sarah NeedlemeyerVideo game only [15]
1998 StarCraft Dropship Pilot [19]
Rocky & Bullwinkle's Know-It-All Quiz GameSherman [15]
1998–2015 Nancy Drew gamesNancy Drew, various characters [15]
1999 Snowboard Kids 2 Slash Kamei, Damien, Wendy Lane [15]
Blue Stinger Janine KingVoice actor and director [15]
Evil Zone Alty Lazel, Midori Himeno, Ihadurca [15]
Duke Nukem: Zero Hour Female CommanderVoice actor [15]
1999–2004 Sonic the Hedgehog gamesStation Square Announcer, Omochao, Rouge the Bat, VoidVoice actor and director; US/EUR/NA [15]
1999 Tail Concerto Waffle Ryebread, Panta [15]
40 Winks Ruff, Tumble, Robot Tumble, mother [20]
2000 Maken X Various voices [21]
Evil Dead: Hail to the King Anne Knowby, Grammy, Deadites [15]
D2 Martha [22]
2001 Diablo II: Lord of Destruction Blood Raven, The Countess, Andariel, Malah, Ancients [15]
Half-Life: Decay Colette Green [15]
AirBlade KatVoice actor and director [15]
Frogger: The Great Quest Various characters [15]
2002 Backyard Baseball 2003 Sunny Day, Vinnie the Gooch, others [15]
Slots from Bally Gaming Olive Oyl, Betty Boop [15]
Backyard Football Sunny Day, others [15]
2003Backyard Soccer 2004Sunny Day, Earl Grey, others [15]
Rogue Ops Nikki Connors [13]
Go! Go! Hypergrind Piggy Sue, Bob, Jenny [13]
2004 Counter-Strike: Condition Zero Female VOs (deleted scenes)Casting (over 200 voices), director [23]
2005 Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening Female Spider, Reaper Creature [13]
2005–present Soulcalibur games Ivy Valentine Voice actor [15]
2006 The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle Earth II Galadriel, Spider Rider [15]
Runaway 2: The Dream of TurtleGina Timmins, Tarantula, Alpha, Aolani, Rosa [15]
2007 Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn Mia, Micaiah, Mist, various othersVoice actor [15]
2007-2013, 2018 Professor Layton gamesLuke (US English), Flora, Emmy, various others [15]
2008 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Lucas, Lyn (English), Pit (English) [13]
Penumbra: Black Plague Hive Mind [15]
Penumbra: Requiem Dr. Richard Eminiss [15]
Mother 3 (Fan Translation)LucasFan translation patch
2009 Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 Lucia von Bardas [15]
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games OmochaoDS version only; archive footage [15]
Borderlands Steele [15]
New Super Mario Bros. Wii Larry Koopa, Morton Koopa Jr., Wendy O. Koopa and Lemmy Koopa [13]
2010 Darksiders Silitha, Tiamat [15]
Star Trek Online M'Tara, T'Nae, Sirella, Taris, Taelus, Vishka, Mivek, Computer voice, Jhu Terel, B'Elanna Torres, Nadel, othersVoice actor, casting, and director
Amnesia: The Dark Descent Girl, Mother, ClariceVoice director [15]
2011 Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II – Retribution Hive Mind [15]
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim The 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 [23]
Mortal Kombat Sindel, Sheeva [24]
2012 Mass Effect 3 Eve, Asari Medic [15]
New Super Mario Bros. 2 Larry, Morton, Wendy and Lemmy [13]
Lucius Mary [15]
New Super Mario Bros. U Larry, Morton, Wendy and Lemmy [13] [25]
2013 StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm Slivan [15]
The Last of Us Clickers, Runners, BloatersVoice actor [15]
2014 Strider Nang Pooh, Xi Mang Wu, Female broadcaster [15]
Off The Record: The Italian AffairGabriella [15]
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U Larry, Morton, Wendy, Lemmy, Lyn (English), and Lucas [15]
2015 Awesomenauts Nibbs [26]
2016 Rad Rodgers: World One The Jungle Elder [15]
2017 Fire Emblem Heroes Mia [15]
XCOM 2 War of the Chosen Chosen Assassin [15]
Remothered: Tormented Fathers Gloria, Red NunAs Lani "Alien Ilmann" Minella [27] [23]
2018 Subnautica Sea Emperor Leviathan [15]
Remothered: Tormented Fathers Gloria Ashmann, Red Nun [15]
War for the Overworld: The Under GamesOverlord Lamash [28]
God of War Pesta [29]
Bendy and the Ink Machine Lacie Benton [30]
Dark Parables: Return of the Salt Princess Serafina, Fire Witch, Fire DollVoice actor
Dark Parables: The Match Girl's Lost Paradise Forest WitchVoice actor
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Lucas, Lyn (English), Larry, Morton, Wendy, Lemmy [15]
2019 MediEvil Narrator [31]
2020Summit of the WolfAdena, Deana Kethagee, Epha Ilo, Narrator, Ori, SallyGropner, Wanda the Tree
The Last of Us Part II Clickers, Runners, BloatersVoice actor [15]
Wasteland 3 Other VO(Less than 40 lines) (As Lani Manilla)
Remothered: Broken Porcelain Additional voice
Sim Settlements 2Judge Bishop, Shhandy
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands Additional voices
Remothered: Double PackGloria Ashmann
2021 Choices: Stories You Play Olivia Ashton, Rachel Winthrop, Mary Zilberg, Kenna Rys, Audrey, Fiddler, Officer Dawes
The Captain is DeadDiplomat
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury Boom Boom, Pom Pom
Shadow Man Remastered Nettie
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition Eve, Asari Medic
Chivalry 2 Female Agathian Warrior
Happy's Humble Burger FarmHappy the Humble Heifer, Monsters
2022 Sucker for Love: First Date NyanlathotepVoice actor [1]
Lord of the Rings Online: Rangers and RuinsHrimil
Chivalry 2: Tenosian InvasionTenosian Tigris
Hearthstone: Voyage to the Sunken CityLady S'Theno, Eelbound archer, Twinbow Terrorcoil [23]
Identity V Keigan Nicholas Keogh (Clerk) [23] [32]
Back 4 Blood (Tunnels of Terror) Cultist Sniper [23]
OverlodeFemale Drone [23]
2023 Dead Space (Remake) Necromorph [23]
Killer Klowns from Outer Space (the game)Klownzilla, Tank, Tracker, ScoutCasting, director [23]

Podcast

List of voice performances in podcasts
YearTitleRoleNotesSource [13]
2016–2017 Liberty: Critical Research Baal
2016–2019 Liberty: Tales From the Tower Various
2017–2022 The White Vault Dr. Rosa De Le TorreMain; season 1-2; guest season 4; recurring season 5) [33] [34]
2020–2021VAST HorizonCommander Graan

References

  1. 1 2 "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. ↑ Sweeney, John (November 2, 2015). "Performance Matters: Interview with Veteran Voice Actress Lani Minella". SuperNerdLand. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  4. ↑ AKA Knuckles Echidna, Josh (April 2, 2001). "Lani Minella interview". Sonic Retro. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  5. ↑ Shirgley, Chris (July 30, 2015). "Immortal Darkness Interview: Lani Minella, Voice Actor". Immortal Darkness. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ "Interview with Lani Minella". Phoenix Star. January 23, 2015. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Lani Minella – Videogame Voices". NandrewForever YouTube channel. June 28, 2011. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
  9. ↑ "Interview with Lani Minella: face to face with Ms. Gloria". Remothered.com. April 11, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  10. ↑ "About". thewhitevault.com. 2014. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  11. ↑ Allyn, Richard (2011-06-24). "San Diego woman is the voice behind hundreds of video games". cbs8.com. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
  12. ↑ Maltbie, Benjamin (2012-07-27). "Interview: Jon St. John, the Voice of Duke Nukem". GodisaGeek.com. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Lani Minella's Credits" (PDF). Lani Minella. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  14. ↑ ".hack // SIGN (TV) – Anime News Network" . Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 "Lani Minella (visual voices guide)". BTVA. Retrieved December 7, 2018. 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.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  16. ↑ "I play a redhead Scottish stable boy Ginger in this" . Retrieved December 7, 2018– via Facebook.
  17. ↑ 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.
  18. ↑ 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 Twitter.
  19. ↑ "Phoenix Interviews Lani Minella". 17 August 2012. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21 – via YouTube.
  20. ↑ "Isn't that your voice? 🙂". September 4, 2018. Retrieved June 8, 2019– via Facebook.
  21. ↑ Atlus (2000-04-21). Maken X (Dreamcast). Sega. Scene: Credits.
  22. ↑ "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.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 http://www.laniminella.com/assets/lani_minella_resume.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  24. ↑ 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.
  25. ↑ "New Super Mario Bros. U".
  26. ↑ "Ronimo Games' YouTube Channel". 2 March 2015 – via YouTube.
  27. ↑ "Let us introduce you to Lani Minella". March 28, 2017. Archived from the original on 2022-02-26. Retrieved December 7, 2018– via Facebook.
  28. ↑ 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.
  29. ↑ 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.
  30. ↑ "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.
  31. ↑ 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.
  32. ↑ Minella, Lani [@LaniMinella] (March 24, 2022). "Happy to be these voices in this game..identity V. Enjoy!" (Tweet). Retrieved October 16, 2022– via Twitter.
  33. ↑ "About Us". The White Vault Podcast. Retrieved 2022-06-30.
  34. ↑ "The White Vault". The White Vault Podcast. Retrieved 2022-06-30.
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