Mark Justin Roiland (born February 21, 1980) is an American voice actor, animator, writer, and producer. He co-created the Adult Swim animated sitcom Rick and Morty, for which he voiced the protagonists Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith from 2013 to 2022, as well as Hulu's Solar Opposites, in which he voiced the main character, Korvo, in seasons 1 through 3 from 2020 to 2022, until both networks severed ties with him in 2023.[2][3] He had also voiced Earl of Lemongrab in Adventure Time, Blendin Blandin in Gravity Falls, and Oscar in Fish Hooks. He founded the animation studio Justin Roiland's Solo Vanity Card Productions! and the video game studio Squanch Games, though he resigned from the latter in 2023.
In early 2023, Roiland was dismissed from most of the companies he was working with due to accusations of domestic violence and abuse. The charges were later dismissed due to insufficient evidence, but in September 2023 new allegations of sexual assault were reported against him.[4]
In 2012, Adult Swim approached Harmon to produce a new animated series for their network. Harmon approached Roiland and, together, they created Rick and Morty (based on Roiland's previous work for Channel 101, "The Real Animated Adventures of Doc and Mharti"), which debuted in 2013 to widespread acclaim. The show quickly grew a fan community as audiences praised the show for its unique storytelling and incorporation of science fiction elements. Between 2013 and 2022, Roiland voiced Rick Sanchez and his grandson Morty Smith. In addition to the voice work, Roiland served as a co-writer and executive producer alongside Dan Harmon.[14][15] By the end of season 1, Rick and Morty became one of the most successful shows Adult Swim ever produced.[16] The success of the show spearheaded an entire franchise, with various themed merchandise being produced and sold. In addition to the show, an app called "Pocket Mortys" was created. On August 25, 2016, Roiland launched virtual reality studio Squanchtendo, a portmanteau of the company Nintendo and Rick and Morty character Squanchy.[17] It was later renamed to Squanch Games.[15][18] Its first full-length title, Accounting+, made in collaboration with William Pugh's studio, was released for PSVR on December 19, 2017.[19]
In January 2021, Roiland offered over a dozen artworks in his first NFT art collection, titled "The Best I Could Do". His highest-selling piece was his Simpsons homage The Smintons, sold at $290,100. The collection sold for a total of $1.65 million.[20] Roiland also sold his first painting, titled mypeoplefriend, via auction by Sotheby's in July 2021.[21]
Allegations of abuse
Accusations of violence and abuse
In August 2020, Roiland was arrested and charged with felony domestic battery and false imprisonment in Orange County, California, in connection with an alleged incident in January 2020 involving an unnamed woman he was reportedly dating at the time.[22] Roiland was released on bail after pleading not guilty, and a pre-trial hearing was scheduled for April 27, 2023.[23] Knowledge of these events was not publicized until NBC News reported on the matter in January 2023.[24][25]
After the charges were announced, multiple people came forward with their own allegations of abuse by Roiland in the #MeToo movement, including claims on Twitter of predatory behavior towards minors.[26][27] Accusations involving adults include a private message he sent to musician Allie Goertz, who was at the time working on a Rick and Morty concept album, and said "Can you write a song about 9 Dick's [sic] of different sized [sic] and ethnic origins hanging above your face, and then in the lyrics describe how they each splatter you with semen."[28] Earlier, he had been accused of sexual harassment of a female writer on the third season of Rick and Morty and other uncomfortable behavior in the workplace; these claims were formally investigated by Cartoon Network and Adult Swim in 2020 and were not reported until 2023.[28][29]
Adult Swim announced later that month that Roiland had been dismissed from Rick and Morty, and that his roles would be recast for future seasons.[2] Squanch Games affirmed that Roiland had resigned from the company on January 16, 2023, in the wake of the Adult Swim news.[30] On January 25, 20th Television Animation confirmed that he had also been removed from Solar Opposites and Koala Man, which will also continue to be produced without his involvement.[31]
In March 2023, the criminal charges against Roiland were dismissed due to insufficient evidence. He released a statement on social media saying he is "determined to move forward and focus both on my creative projects and restoring my good name".[32][33][34] Following this announcement, his lawyer, T. Edward Welbourn, thanked the Orange County District Attorney's Office for "conducting a thorough review of the facts" and dismissing the case, adding that he was "thankful justice has prevailed".[35]
Sexual assault allegations
In September 2023, NBC News reported that allegations of sexual assault and communicating explicitly online with underage girls had been reported, with some dating back to 2013.[36] Roiland's lawyer, Andrew Brettler, responded to the allegations and called them "false and defamatory."[37]
Rick and Morty co-creator Dan Harmon responded to the new allegations against Roiland on September 27, saying that he was "ashamed and heartbroken".[38]
^"Why Justin Roiland Is Out at 'Rick and Morty' and Adult Swim". Time. Archived from the original on March 8, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023. multiple people came forward on social media with additional allegations of abuse—including predatory behavior toward minors [www.thegamer.com/justin-roiland-allegations-grooming-abuse-predatory/]—against Roiland
^Bevan, Rhiannon (January 13, 2023). "Further Allegations Made Against Justin Roiland Following Battery And False Imprisonment Charges". TheGamer. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023. Twitter user [...] was among the first to share their story, saying that they were groomed by Roiland when they were 15. [...] Another Twitter user, [...] also shared their own experience with Roiland, including text messages allegedly sent by the Rick & Morty creator.
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