MC: Thanks Ron for doing this! How is your summer going?

RR: It’s my absolute pleasure. Thanks for contacting me … it’s great to know that Sailor Moon and its Moonies (is that correct to say … hope I didn’t insult anyone) are still going strong.
First of all, I really have to apologize for the delay in getting this back to you. But I’ve been dealing with some back issues and that has had me sidelined for a while.
Anyway, my summer was nice … got in a bit of traveling and worked on a few new cartoon series.

MC: How did you get started in acting?

image from enotes.com

RR: I think I caught the ‘bug’ very early in life at a summer camp I used to go to. I went there for a few summers between the ages of 10 and 13. We would put on plays and do sketches…
it was a very creative atmosphere. That’s when I started doing voices and impressions. Now cut ahead a decade to when I was going to university. Myself and my friend started a half hour weekly comedy show at the campus radio station. We wrote, directed and voiced it. That’s when I really started working more seriously on my craft. The radio show turned into a stage show that toured around the country. The year I finished my university degree I moved to Toronto (from Winnipeg) and began doing improv with Second City. Then I hit the “Stand Up” stage and toured North America as a featured performer. I spent most of my early twenties on the road doing my voices and telling my jokes to all sorts of audiences in all sorts of places. I think I was 23 when I decided I wanted to become a more “serious” actor, so I moved to New York and was accepted at a wonderful acting school … The Neighborhood Playhouse. It was a great time in my life … a very creative time … doing acting classes by day and performing at the comedy clubs at night.

image from burnallzombies.com

When I moved back to Toronto I landed a bunch of national commercials and a few television shows. But more importantly I booked my first cartoon series. It was ‘Beetlejuice’ and Tim Burton was at the helm. I played half a dozen different roles in the series and totally fell in love with the genre. Back then (mid eighties) there were only a handful of us voicing cartoons in Canada and the work was plentiful. Beetlejuice was followed by C.O.P.S. and Police Academy and Stckin’ Around and Stunt Dawgs and … a whole lot of other series. Then I had the opportunity to work with Stan Lee and Marvel comics in the X-Men and Avenger series. And of course, who can forget Sailor Moon. (sorry, I think I was rambling on there).

MC: We’ve learned you were also a writer for Sharon, Lois, and Bram’s Elephant Show. Did writing for TV shows influence your decision to act?

RR: Actually writing came as a result of acting. I was hired to be the guest star in the Elephant Show. I had so much fun doing it I kept thinking of ideas that I could write and perform. I came up with a concept of doing an old time radio show … the kind with the old fashioned microphones and casting myself (of course 🙂 as the one doing all the voices and sound effects. They loved the idea and so I wrote the script and we shot it. If I’m not mistaken, I think it won an award for best children’s show that year. I’ve also written several other shows as well as sold pilots for television series. Some sold, others didn’t. I spent a short time in L.A. writing a series. That one sold … but never got developed. I love writing … I should be doing more of it. I’m working on writing a new cartoon series currently … I’ll let you know if it goes anywhere.

Editor’s Note: Watch him in this show here! We especially love his singing of Skidamarink at the end!

Esahc: What would you say is your influences for your writing career?

RR: Probably similar to my early comedy career. I grew up watching a lot of the old time masters … W.C. Fields, the Marx Bros., Charlie Chaplin, etc. Also the stand ups of my generation … early George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Robin Williams (who I got the opportunity to perform with later in my stand up career), and of course the impressionists … I was always fascinated by the voices they could make. I tried (for hours on end) to attempt to imitate them. My parents had an old Rich Little Album (I don’t know what’s dating me more here … Rich Little or the fact it was an album) … I spent a whole summer memorizing his set and doing all his voices. But my biggest influence (not in writing but in voice work) was Mel Blanc. He did all the Looney Toons characters … Bugs, Daffy, etc. When I was really young I once saw him being interviewed on Johnny Carson … I couldn’t believe my ears … I was absolutely fascinated with all the different voices coming out of him. I think right then I knew what I wanted to do when I grew up. And hey, by some weird luck and circumstances … I’m lucky enough to be doing it.

MC: We also read you used to make comedic home-videos with Canadian TV producer Allan Novak (The Party Time series) – can you tell us a little more about what these were?

RR: Boy, you guys are good with your research … how did you even know about that!
Allan and I shared a house together and every year we would throw a big party for our friends. Allan was working on and editing ‘Kids in the Hall’ at the time and had access to camera’s and studios. So each year we wrote and filmed a somewhat elaborate video that was shown at the party on monitors placed around the house. It got quite a following. Boy, that memory brings me back a lot of years.

MC: Will you ever do comedy again?

RR: Do you mean ‘stand up’ ? If so, I’m not sure. It was great in my twenties but it takes a lot of commitment and you’re on the road quite a bit. That being said, I miss doing it. Performing live in front of an audience with material that you might have written the same day was an amazing experience. I miss the adrenaline buzz … and the creative process. Don’t know if I’ll ever do that again. But I’m sure glad I experienced it when I did.

MC: Why did you make the transition from on-camera work to voice work? Will we ever see you on camera acting again?

RR: I did a lot of on-camera work earlier in my career. In my twenties and early thirties I performed in quite a few national tv commercials, a few television series and the odd movie. But after being introduced to the world of animation I truly fell in love with it. Slowly but surely I found myself doing more and more animation and less on-camera work. I eventually made the transition to voicing cartoons and commercials full time and stepping away from the camera. I’ve been lucky enough to make my living solely on voice work. I may one day return to television or film again … never say never … but for now I’m very content working behind the microphone as opposed to in front of the camera.

MC: In 2007 you were nominated for an ACTRA Toronto award for your work on Erky Perky as the very conniving Frenzel (even though you didn’t win you are still a winner with us)! What made this role special for you?

RR: I didn’t mind losing that award. It went (posthumously) to a dear friend of mine (Len Carlson) who unfortunately passed away the year prior. He was a mentor to me … taught me a lot about the business of animation and voice work. Frenzel was a really fun character … one of my all time fav’s. He was a really gross bug that had ingested far too much insecticide. He was gross and slimey and weazly … and I tried to create a voice to match his personality. I hope I did.

MC: Now it’s time to talk about Sailor Moon! We’re trying to bring the fans as many stories as we can of the show since this year marks the 15th anniversary of the show. What do you remember about the casting call and the auditions? How did you get the role?
Salvatore: How did you get the part of Artemis? Did you audition?

RR: Boy, Sailor Moon takes me back quite a few years. I did audition … I think. I remember they wanted a cool laid back voice for Artemis. There was a television show on at that time called ‘Moonlighting’ … it starred a very young Bruce Willis (and Cybil Sheppard). They referenced Bruce’s voice … low key with a bit of attitude. That’s what I went for. There were so many characters in Sailor Moon who were very expressive … even over the top (in a good way) … so it was kinda fun and interesting for me to keep Artemis’s voice lower both vocally and emotionally.

EcoReck: Due to the very limited numbers of male roles in Sailor Moon, how hard was it to get a role in it?

RR: I don’t remember it being ‘hard’ per say. Maybe I was just at the right place at the right time. I don’t recall there being a lot of call backs. I went into the studio … incorporated the voice direction I was given … and then tried to make it my own. Kind of what I try to do with every audition I go to. I booked the part … so I must have done something right.

MC: How did you come up with the right kind of “gentlemanly” voice for Artemis?

RR: As I stated earlier … I referenced the low key, laid back (but with some attitude and cockiness) style of Bruce Willis from Moonlighting. Of course I tried to add my own flavor to the character … and in time it developed into Artemis.

MC: You are one of the few actors who was with the character since the beginning. What was the biggest lesson you learned (if any) from your character and/or working on Sailor Moon? Did your voice also grow as the character grew throughout the seasons and the movies?

RR: Yea, like with every cartoon I think the actors voice and performance gets more comfortable as the series goes on. When I hear the really early episodes of Sailor Moon versus the later ones I can tell the slight difference in Artemis’ voice. I think I “cooled’ him down a bit over time.

Salvatore: You’ve been involved with the series for quite some time, do you notice any changes while working on it? (Such as direction, or how the dubbing was handled?)

RR: Well, some of the actors (Sailors) changed … a fact that I know you’re very aware of. Also, the style …. solo … ensemble …. rythmo ….

MC: At this event in Japan, the results of a poll asking fans of their 5 favorite episodes were revealed – and the 5th favorite episode just happened to be the first one that your character showed up in! What do you think made this episode so special and so loved?

SR: I think it has to do with the unexpected. It’s the surprise of seeing such a FEISTY girl, rocketing onto the screen, no holds barred, ready to just be herself and do some serious business. And I think it’s also a bit of a surprise to see a teenage female character with such obvious anger-management issues. That’s kind of unusual. And, in the end of all, she did try to keep her temper under control – which is something a lot of people could identify with.

MC (and everyone else): Would you reprise your role as Sailor Jupiter if the last season were to be dubbed or the entire series were to be re-dubbed?
Jigglypuff2cute: if the fifth season of sailor moon comes to the US will you still do her voice? and do you think they should just put the last season as pg 13 cause of the certain things in it? i mean if they try to keep the last season ( if they decide to air in it US) rated for kids, it just wont be the same and there will be A LOT of confusion from all the cutting out parts. i know i was kinda confused when i saw the sailor scouts first die. i didnt even know they were dead untill i saw the ghosts giving princess serinity power. same as with sailor moon and tuxedo mask but tha wasnt untill i decided to watch it in japanese.

SR: I would definitely do Sailor Jupiter again – I really miss her! I’m not familiar with what happened in the story line after we did our very last session – actually, it all ended kind of abruptly. We were told that there would be more episodes coming down the line, but nothing ever happened. That was absolutely baffling to us – how could something SO popular not continue on to the very end? I never understood what happened there. I don’t know that anyone understands what happened there!

MC: Some places are reporting that you played some additional voices in the Super Mario Brothers 3 cartoon. One of our staff members has seen you in the credits but we can’t figure out who you played – who did you play in the show and had you played any of the Mario games or found ways to familiarize yourself with the characters before you started recording?

SR:You know – that’s completely not ringing a bell with me…

MC: You were one of the few (possibly only) actress to be involved with both the 1980s Care Bears series as well as the CGI movies Journey to Joke-a-Lot and Big Wish Movie. To you, how do you think the Bears have changed since the 80s, and how did it feel to come back to “Care-a-Lot” after a long time?

SR:I got a HUGE kick out of that. I don’t know if there were quite so many care bears in the actual series as there were in the films – they seemed to multiply by the minute – but I absolutely loved the diversity they provided. Each bear had his or her own special characteristics and of course, the more characteristics that were explored, the more kids would be able to identify with them.

MC: While we’re talking about the 80s, remember Strawberry Shortcake? All the Berrykins were looked up to by many girls of that time (including a very young me!), and this show has also experienced another revival in recent years. What do you think made Strawberry Shortcake special to girls of that time and do you think that a new generation can appreciate the show?

Editor’s Note: Finding images of these old 80’s characters are bringing back memories! Yes, I remember this, and for our Moonies wanting to watch this, here’s Judy Collins’ theme song. Sadly, can’t find any episodes!

MC: With all those sweet names of the characters you played in Strawberry Shortcake (Blueberry Muffin and Crepe Suzette), was it difficult to not eat the baking that they were named after during your time working on it?

SR: Oh, that’s funny! I honestly don’t think I’d know a Crepe Suzette if I fell over one, but I’ve sure eaten my share of blueberry muffins – THE best muffin flavor in the world…

MC: Also in 1983, Nelvana produced their first full-length animated feature, Rock and Rule. You had a lead role in this movie playing Angel, and your character’s singing voice was Debbie Harry of Blondie fame! What was this experience like for you? Did you get to meet Debbie Harry at all during production?

MC: The Raccoons was also a big hit back then and is probably still being watched by many children who have grown up now on Teletoon Retro! The show had a lot of messages about environmental conservation and how big business works sometimes against nature. What do you think made this show such a big hit back then and now that we are living in times that are not so different than they were back then, do you think that the show can appeal to a new generation?

SR: I think that The Raccoons is timeless, and the messages it conveyed were right on the money, weren’t they? On the other hand, maybe it was so successful because they didn’t bang you over the head with environmental issues – those issues were slipped in with a velvet hammer. The point was made in a gentle way, in a way that was accessible – no matter how old you were when you were watching.

MC: Do you have any favorite memories of Melissa Raccoon?

MC: When playing Snowy in the much-loved TinTin series, how did you try to add personality to his barks?

MC: In 2011, a 3-D motion capture TinTin film is set to be released starring Jamie Bell, Simon Pegg, and Daniel Craig (better known as the current James Bond). What we have been noticing at a lot of the licensing conventions that Sailor Moon has been showcased at, is that the trend among many media companies is to revive old tried, tested, and true properties. We think this might be the case here – what do you think of the idea of bringing TinTin in 3-D?

SR: It’s always good when a great idea, a great concept, is resurrected and made more current. I wish them all the luck in the world. And I love the idea that these projects can live on and on, in whatever format.

MC: Do you think you will go see TinTin when it comes out?

SR: Well, I’d love to hear what Snowy sounds like!

MC: Sailor Jupiter is a popular character that first lived in manga (Japanese comics), but you have also played Callisto and the Scarlet Witch from X-Men. What was it like playing these characters from the page to the screen? Did you read any of the X-Men comics at all?

SR: You know – this is why you can’t trust everything you read on the internet. I absolutely did not do the voices of either Callisto or the Scarlet Witch, and I sure wish I could say that I did. I just listened back to a clip from each episode, and both women’s voices are so very different from mine that it’s hard to believe that no one’s picked up on it. I did do Moonstone in The Avengers.

Editor’s Note: Watch this episode of the Avengers (Part 1 & Part 2)!

MC: When coming up with the voice of James in Thomas and the Magic Railroad, how much did the old series on PBS influence how you portrayed the voice? Or did you come up with something completely different?

SR: I’d never seen the old series on PBS so there wasn’t any influence there at all. It was all visual. I just looked at his facial expressions (and listened to what the director had to say, of course) and took it from there. That was a very nice project, by the way – very easy-going and a lot of fun.

MC: Bakugan and Beyblade are really huge hits with the younger kids right now with all the additional toy and video games that accompany the series. Does the rising phenomenon of these two shows compare to Sailor Moon?

SR: Well, they’re following in the footsteps, but I don’t know that anything out there can compare to the Sailor Moon phenomenon, which seemed to strike a chord on a more emotional level. Beyblade and Bakugan are way more action/competition-oriented, which suits their audience to a tee.

MC: Some of our readers are big Mega Man fans! How was recording a character’s voice for a video game different from recording a character’s voice for a cartoon? Did you ever play any of the games?

SR: No, I never did because I knew I’d end up being far too critical of myself to really enjoy the game. Sometimes, when you listen to things back, you say to yourself, “Oh man, I should have read that line differently – what was I thinking?” And recording it was exactly the same as recording for a cartoon, except that you had to do the same scene over and over again – with different outcomes – all dependent on how well the player was navigating the game.

MC (and Zozonae): Of all of your roles in cartoons, which character has been your favorite to play and why?

SR: Well, Sailor Jupiter would have to be right up there at the top. And I’m glad that you mentioned Strawberry Shortcake – in one episode, I played the Berry Princess and I just LOVED doing that. I mean, who doesn’t want to be a princess every once in a while? I also loved playing Eddie Storkowitz in Birdz, and it was so disappointing that the series never really got off the ground. It was such a funny little cartoon, with an absolutely brilliant cast. And the same thing goes for another funny little cartoon called Weird Years, where I got to play the wizened old grandmother, Zozo – which was a HUGE stretch for me and probably the most fun I’ve had in years. (By the way, on another website it incorrectly states that I played Nadia. I wonder how all these mistakes can be fixed?)

But my absolute favourite would have to be Snowy in Tin Tin.

SR: Nope. That wasn’t me. Unless I was sleepwalking or something…

MC: And also on the rumor patrol, do you have a role in Rudolph and his New Friend Frosty? It was rumored that Linda Ballantyne (the third actress to play Sailor Moon) was to be a part of this, but we learned from an earlier interview with her that she was not in it. If you are, are you excited to be working with Ringo Starr?

SR: I think it would be TERRIFIC to work with Ringo Starr – but I don’t have anything to do with that project.

Editor’s Note: Since the project never aired on TV over the Christmas season, we believe that this project doesn’t even exist.

MC: A really long time ago you used to teach through Voiceworx – what was this experience like and do you have any inspiring stories from the classroom?

MC: Any upcoming productions that fans will be able to catch you in soon?

SR: Actually, I have a big audition this afternoon and I’ve been working on it for the last couple of days – so wish me luck!

MC: Once again, thanks again Susan for this opportunity and we wish you the best of luck in the future!

Thanks again to Susan for this amazing opportunity, and we will continue to strive for our best to bring everything we can to the fans around the Sailor Moon world!