Appearing at the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo June 17th to 19th, actress Maile Flanagan is known as the voice of the protagonist ninja Naruto Uzumaki in the English dubbed version of the Japanese anime Naruto. Yet, like many of the performers at the expo who are renowned for a particular role, that’s only one facet of her professional career; as is the fact that she is married to another woman, only one facet of her personality.

Maile (pronounced "miley") has had parts in television and movies, from The Office, ER to Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs and Yes Man. For Maile, it’s more about the individual project, whether that be animation, live movies or television, or theatre. Though she doesn’t mind being known for Naruto, she stresses it is not ALL she does: "I do at least 50% of on-camera work...maybe more," she explains.

Not that the work on Naruto is easy. This type of animation voice work is a different beast than regular animation or even acting on stage or screen. The writers adapt the script from the Japanese original, and the actors must then synch the length of time a character speaks and the emotion he or she is portraying.

Sometimes it doesn’t quite match, so actors will have to improvise dialogue or stretch the moment. "I’ve done so much Naruto...I’ve done over 300 episodes, several movies and video games. There are constraints, but it’s a skill set you work and get better at." When asked about a career as a voice actor for animation, Maile has in the past advised people to consider not just acting classes, but improvisation classes.

Although Naruto is in its tenth year, Maile may not see her fellow cast members in the recording studio, or only see them in passing as each person comes in and records their part separately. Consequently, Maile enjoys working on animated films or shows where the voice is recorded first because you get to see and work with your co-stars. "Normally, in original animation you’re doing it in a group and that’s really fun."

Sometimes doing original animation projects, she’ll be working alongside well known actors. Maile had a part in Ice Age 3 and was impressed with the work done by John Leguizamo. She watches some of the big budget animation films and sometimes she’s surprised how well these people work in a medium that is not their normal area of expertise.

"Then there are people who I think aren’t very good at it, and they cast them because they are ‘names’...and it just kind of drives some of the people in the animation community crazy..." Especially if the person’s voice isn’t very unique.

As for providing the voice for a teenaged ninja and being an adult woman, Maile does get the occasional disbelieving response. "Especially younger fans...it’s kind of funny...the younger kids will say YOU’RE the VOICE?!" Which, of course leads to requests to speak as Naruto.

On the phone, Maile is very friendly and open about her career. This also includes her sexuality. Writing for this magazine for years, I’ve spoken to other actors about this issue. It seems while the big celebrities are still in the closet, if you’re either a stock character, a secondary character in a big cast, or specialized in one area (i.e. voice) no one cares about your sexuality.

Maile agrees, and adds that direct bigotry is something she’s never experienced. She does concede women may have an easier time than men, and if you’re a character actor, people don’t care so much. There still are some pockets of resistance in the industry, yet usually most people are ambivalent about who you sleep with when you walk on set. "I play a lot of straight characters on camera...I don’t think people are thinking about my sexuality that much."

The Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo has scheduled Maile for an autograph session and probably an anime panel. Going forward, Maile is working on the tenth season of Naruto, and this summer you may see her in a small role onscreen in the third Transformers film: "I’m an office worker but I have a couple of good moments...if they stay in the film." Additionally, she’ll be a guest star on the season premier of Weeds and she’s working on appearing in a theatre show this fall.

Furthermore, she’ll be doing some political work. "I used to live in Minnesota for years and years...they recently passed the bill to ban gay marriage...in the (state) house. I’m going to be producing a benefit where all the money will be going back to fight that." She hasn’t named to benefit yet, but she will let us know when the time comes.

If you get a chance to see Maile Flanagan, I’d recommend it as she came across as a pleasant and extremely fun person.

Related Articles

Contributor Evan Kayne |

Person Maile Flanagan |

Topic Calgary Expo | Celebrity Interview | Comic Expo |