Who Replaced Rick May?

Nolan North replaced Rick May for specific voice lines, particularly for the Soldier in Valve's Team Fortress 2, notably in the "Expiration Date" animated short.

The Legacy of Rick May and His Successor

Rick May, widely celebrated for his iconic voice work as the Soldier in Valve's popular team-based shooter, Team Fortress 2, faced significant health challenges that led to his replacement for certain vocal performances. May's distinct, gravelly voice and memorable lines were central to the character's appeal, cementing his legacy in the video game community.

Why Was Rick May Replaced?

Rick May encountered several severe health issues that impacted his ability to perform the full range of the Soldier's vocalizations, especially the character's signature screams. His health problems included:

• Cancer: He was reportedly dealing with cancer, allegedly throat cancer, which directly affected his vocal capabilities and was cited as the reason he could no longer perform the demanding screaming lines required for the Soldier character.
• Heart Attack: In February, prior to his passing in April 2020, May also suffered a heart attack, further compounding his health struggles.

Due to these health complications, Valve sought another voice actor for specific instances where May's full vocal range, particularly for intense screams, was required but he was physically unable to provide them.

Nolan North's Contribution

The acclaimed voice actor Nolan North stepped in to provide these particular lines. His contributions can be heard in the TF2 animated short, "Expiration Date," where he specifically voiced the Soldier's screaming sequences. While North provided these distinct lines for the short, Rick May remained the primary voice of the Soldier for the vast majority of the game's content and is widely remembered as the definitive voice of the character.

Key Figures in Soldier's Voice Acting