The first time you hear the character Jubei in Ghost of Yotei, you might find yourself wondering: “Wait, I know that voice.” That distinct voice belongs to none other than Noshir Dalal, a veteran actor and voice performer whose work spans some of the biggest video games of the last decade.
From these epic samurai stories to superhero games and Western blockbusters, Dalal’s career has spanned nearly every major franchise over the last decade. So if you recognize his voice instantly in Sucker Punch’s latest title, that’s because you’ve most likely heard him before.
Why Noshir Dalal’s Voice Sounds So Familiar in Ghost of Yotei
Dalal’s performance as Jubei in Ghost of Yotei feels instantly recognizable because this isn’t his first time in Sucker Punch’s world of samurai storytelling. Back in 2020, he lent his voice to characters in Ghost of Tsushima, including a ronin you save early in the story, according to fans on Reddit.
Dalal’s breakthrough came with his performance as Charles Smith in Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018). What began as a supporting role turned into one of the most beloved characters in Rockstar’s Western epic. His ability to bring depth and humanity to Charles turned what was written as a stereotypical “tough guy” into a calm and reasoned figure.
Around the same time, he stepped into the world of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (2019), voicing the titular “One-Armed Wolf.” That performance cemented his reputation as an actor who could carry emotionally intense, physically demanding roles. If you’re someone who sank time and effort into FromSoft’s hardest title, then you’ll remember Dalal’s quiet intensity as Sekiro.
Noshir Dalal Has Had Roles in Nearly Every Major Franchise
Since then, Dalal has practically become a major figure across some of the biggest games in recent history. He has lent his voice and motion capture talents to Horizon Forbidden West as Kotallo, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor as Bode Akuna, and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 as Mysterio.
Join us in wishing our Marshal, Noshir Dalal, a very happy birthday! 🥳🦾
Let us know your favorite line that Kotallo says in Horizon Forbidden West!#BeyondTheHorizon pic.twitter.com/yDhDjuzz0I
Fighting game fans will also know him as Rain in Mortal Kombat 1, while League of Legends players recognize him as Yone. And even outside of these bigger roles, Dalal has been everywhere, with credits in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, Halo Infinite, Starfield, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, and Gears Tactics.
Despite his success, Dalal has spoken openly about the challenges facing voice actors today, particularly with the rise of AI voice replication. In a 2024 talk at the University of Tennessee, he explained how studios can use AI to mimic his mannerisms and speech patterns, potentially replacing the need to hire him for future roles.
For Dalal, what sets human performances apart is the lived experience actors bring to their characters, which is something no algorithm can truly replicate. But what do you think of his performance in Ghost of Yotei? Let us know in the comments!
