Maurice LaMarche, the renowned Canadian voice actor and comedian, has delighted audiences for years with his versatile voice acting talents. However, behind the iconic voices of characters like The Brain from “Animaniacs” and Kif Kroker from “Futurama” is a personal history that includes challenges, triumphs, and a supportive family, including his father, Guy LaMarche.
Early Life and Passion for Comedy
Maurice LaMarche was born on March 30, 1958, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to Guy LaMarche and Linda Bourdon. Soon after his birth, the LaMarche family relocated to Timmins, Ontario. Maurice’s childhood was steeped in the world of cartoons and 1960s television, a world that would eventually become his playground.
It wasn’t until his second year of high school that Maurice discovered his incredible talent for mimicry. This revelation came during a high school “variety night” performance, where friends encouraged him to showcase his impersonation skills. The act he performed that night, “celebrities as waiters,” would become a hallmark of his early stand-up career.
Interestingly, one of Maurice’s neighbors and schoolmates during his upbringing was none other than the future comedy legend Mike Myers.
The Stand-up Comedy Journey
At the age of nineteen, Maurice LaMarche took his high school comedy act to the vibrant comedy scene of New York City. However, his debut performance didn’t go as planned. As he recalls, the audience seemed to “totally ignore” him, a discouraging start to his comedy career.
Adding to his early challenges were the voices of fellow Canadian comedians who advised him against pursuing comedy outside of Canada. Despite these initial setbacks, LaMarche returned to Canada, continued to hone his stand-up skills, and began exploring the world of voice acting.
Three years later, in pursuit of his stand-up comedy dreams, LaMarche made the pivotal move to Los Angeles. Reflecting on his career, he sometimes wondered if he should have chosen New York instead, feeling that a couple of years in the Big Apple might have made him a stronger comedian. Nevertheless, his determination propelled him forward.
Over the next five years, Maurice LaMarche performed in comedy clubs across the United States, making appearances on esteemed shows like “The Merv Griffin Show” and “An Evening At The Improv.” He opened for comedy legends such as Rodney Dangerfield, George Carlin, Howie Mandel, David Sanborn, and Donna Summer in renowned venues like Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
Tragedy Strikes
However, the course of Maurice LaMarche’s life took a tragic turn on March 9, 1987, when his father, Guy LaMarche, was tragically murdered. The incident occurred in a Toronto hotel lobby in front of numerous witnesses. This shocking event sent Maurice into a period of deep depression and alcoholism, effectively stalling his burgeoning stand-up comedy career for the next two years.
Following a harrowing journey, Maurice achieved sobriety on January 20, 1989. But just as he was regaining his self-confidence, tragedy struck again. In September of that same year, his 18-year-old sister was killed in a car accident. Faced with these heartbreaking losses, Maurice LaMarche decided to retire from stand-up comedy. He felt that he had exhausted his well of humor and declared, “I don’t have any funny left in me. I’m done.”
These difficult experiences tested his resilience, but they also marked the beginning of a new chapter in Maurice’s life, one that would eventually lead him to become one of the most celebrated voice actors in the industry.
A Voice Acting Icon Emerges
Maurice LaMarche’s entry into the world of voice acting began in 1980 when he contributed his voice to animated Canadian TV specials like “Easter Fever” and “Take Me Up to the Ball Game,” produced by Nelvana. He also made a name for himself as a voice performer on Toronto’s cult TV hit, “The All-Night Show,” where his talent for impersonation shone through.
It took some time after his 1981 move to Los Angeles for Maurice to establish himself in the American voiceover industry, initially pursuing it as a side endeavor while continuing his stand-up comedy career. His breakthrough came when he joined the cast of “Inspector Gadget” in 1985, and from there, he embarked on a prolific voice acting journey.
Throughout his career, LaMarche lent his voice to a plethora of beloved characters in various animated series, including Egon Spengler in “The Real Ghostbusters,” The Brain in “Animaniacs” and “Pinky and the Brain,” Kif Kroker in “Futurama,” and many more. His talent extended to parodying iconic figures like Orson Welles, a skill that earned him accolades and recognition in the industry.
A Diverse Portfolio
Maurice LaMarche’s remarkable career in voice acting extended to films, commercials, and theme parks. He provided the voice of characters such as Pepé Le Pew in “Space Jam” and Yosemite Sam for the Six Flags Over Texas’ ride, “Yosemite Sam and the Gold River Adventure!” In commercials, he voiced iconic figures like Toucan Sam for Kellogg’s Froot Loops and the animated Willy Wonka for Nestlé’s Willy Wonka Candy Company.
His passion for voice acting also led him to collaborate on projects like “Team America: World Police,” where he supplied the voice for the Alec Baldwin puppet. And let’s not forget his unforgettable portrayal of Orson Welles in the famous frozen peas commercial outtake.
Personal Life and Family
Maurice LaMarche has been married to Robin G. Eisenman since May 19, 1991. Together, they have a son named Jonathan. While his career has been filled with outstanding achievements and memorable characters, Maurice’s journey has also been marked by the enduring support of his family, including his late father, Guy LaMarche.
The story of Maurice LaMarche is one of resilience, talent, and personal growth. Through life’s ups and downs, he emerged as a prolific voice actor whose work continues to entertain and inspire audiences worldwide. Behind the microphone, his father’s memory and the unwavering support of his loved ones remain a source of strength, shaping the voice acting icon we know and admire today.