Justin Roiland Bio
Mark Justin Roiland (born February 21, 1980) is an American voice actor, animator, writer, producer, and director. He is best known for co-creating the animated sitcom Rick and Morty and providing the voices of Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith from 2013 to 2022. Roiland has built a multifaceted career spanning animation, video game development, and digital art, establishing himself as a significant figure in adult animation before transitioning to new creative ventures following professional changes in 2023.
Early Life and Background
Justin Roiland was born in Manteca, California, on February 21, 1980. He attended Sierra High School in Manteca through most of his senior year before transferring to Manteca High School, where he completed his final semester and graduated in 1998. Following high school graduation, Roiland enrolled at Modesto Junior College in Modesto, California. Roiland has been open about living with dyslexia, a learning difference that has influenced his creative approach to storytelling and production.
Growing up in California’s Central Valley, Roiland developed an early interest in animation and voice performance. His formative influences included popular animated series such as The Simpsons, The Ren and Stimpy Show, Beavis and Butt-Head, and Invader Zim. These programs would later shape the irreverent humor and distinctive animation style evident in his own creative work.
Path to Celebrity
In 2002, Roiland relocated to Houston, Texas, where he became involved with Channel 101, a Los Angeles-based media collective founded by Dan Harmon and Rob Schrab. Through this collective, Roiland created and appeared in numerous short films and movie projects, including 2 Girls One Cup: The Show and House of Cosbys. He also gained exposure through the VH1 television series Acceptable TV and made regular appearances on The Sarah Silverman Program on Comedy Central, portraying the character Blonde Craig.
Roiland’s collaboration with Dan Harmon during this period proved formative. He notably appeared in the web series Yacht Rock in a small role portraying musician Christopher Cross. Between 2010 and 2016, Roiland co-hosted The Grandma’s Virginity Podcast alongside future Rick and Morty writer Ryan Ridley and future Steven Universe producer Jackie Buscarino, further establishing his presence in the entertainment industry’s creative circles.
Justin Roiland Career
Early Career (2004–2012)
Roiland’s professional animation career began taking shape through his work with Channel 101 and various independent projects. His contributions to Channel 101 showcased his talent for creating original animated content with unconventional humor. During these early years, he continued building his skills as both a voice actor and writer while working within the indie animation and digital media spaces.
Prior to his breakthrough with Rick and Morty, Roiland had already established a reputation for distinctive voice work. He voiced Earl of Lemongrab in the animated series Adventure Time, Blendin Blandin in Gravity Falls, and Oscar in Fish Hooks. These roles demonstrated his versatility as a voice actor capable of bringing eccentric and memorable characters to life.
Breakthrough (2013–2022)
In 2012, Adult Swim approached Dan Harmon to develop a new animated series for their network. Harmon recruited Roiland to collaborate on the project, drawing inspiration from Roiland’s previous Channel 101 work titled The Real Animated Adventures of Doc and Mharti. Together, they created Rick and Morty, which debuted in 2013 to widespread critical acclaim.
Rick and Morty quickly garnered a devoted fan base that praised its unique storytelling and incorporation of science fiction elements. Roiland voiced the show’s two protagonists, the eccentric scientist Rick Sanchez and his grandson Morty Smith. In addition to his voice performances, Roiland served as co-writer and executive producer alongside Dan Harmon. By the conclusion of its first season, Rick and Morty had become one of Adult Swim’s most successful productions, spawning multiple seasons and an extensive franchise that included themed merchandise and the mobile app Pocket Mortys.
The success of Rick and Morty opened additional creative doors for Roiland. In 2020, he launched the animated series Solar Opposites on Hulu, voicing the character Korvo. That same year, he founded the virtual reality studio Squanchtendo (later renamed Squanch Games), creating games inspired by his animation work. The studio’s first full-length title, Accounting+, was released in collaboration with William Pugh’s studio for PlayStation VR in December 2017. Roiland also ventured into digital art, selling an NFT collection titled “The Best I Could Do” in January 2021 for a total of $1.65 million, with his highest-selling piece, The Smintons, fetching $290,100. He later sold his first painting through Sotheby’s auction in July 2021.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout his career with Adult Swim and Hulu, Roiland’s most significant contribution was co-creating and voicing the central characters in Rick and Morty, a series that ran for seven seasons under his involvement. His work on Solar Opposites further established him as a dual force in adult animation across major streaming platforms. The establishment of Squanch Games demonstrated his interest in expanding creative projects beyond traditional animation into interactive media.
Justin Roiland Personal Life
In early 2023, public attention turned to personal allegations against Roiland. In January 2023, news outlets reported that he had faced criminal charges in Orange County, California, related to an alleged domestic incident from January 2020. These charges, which included felony domestic battery and false imprisonment, had resulted in his arrest in August 2020, though the matter remained private until its public disclosure. Following the news, Adult Swim announced Roiland’s dismissal from Rick and Morty, with the network stating his roles would be recast for future seasons.
Squanch Games confirmed that Roiland had resigned from the company on January 16, 2023. Additionally, 20th Television Animation removed him from Solar Opposites and Koala Man. In March 2023, the criminal charges against Roiland were dismissed due to insufficient evidence. He released a statement expressing his determination to move forward with creative projects and restore his reputation. In September 2023, new allegations were reported, which Roiland’s lawyer denied. Throughout these developments, Roiland continued pursuing creative work and artistic projects.