Fired from FMA for failing the Joker’s maniacal laugh
Troy Baker has lent his voice to some of the most instantly recognizable figures in pop culture, from the Joker in Arkham Origins to the stoic Joel Miller in The Last of Us. Yet, even with such a distinguished resume, Baker faced a unique hurdle early in his career—a notoriously difficult script cue that nearly derailed his path.
The challenge came during his involvement in the first incarnation of Fullmetal Alchemist. To play the character of Greed, Baker was tasked with delivering 30 seconds of building maniacal laughter. The exercise quickly proved to be more taxing than anticipated.
Baker recalled the difficulty in an interview with Party Chat, explaining that he found the vocal demands extremely limiting. “I found out very quickly the limits of my ability extend right up to 30 seconds of building maniacal laughter,” he shared. “We tried for about 15 to 20 minutes on that one because every time I laughed, it was awful. It was kind of like when you let air out of a balloon; it was not good.”
Due to these vocal constraints, Baker was ultimately let go from the project, with the role of Greed being given to voice actor Chris Patton.
When asked about the experience, Baker noted a moment of reflection. “The director was like, ‘Why don’t you go and step out of the booth, man?’ I guess I could find what I can’t do, and I can’t laugh. Which would be a lot of fun in a few years when I had to audition for another certain character that’s known to laugh.”
Fortunately, creative doors often open up again. Baker managed to receive a do-over for the role of Greed in the remake, Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, which features the complete manga ending. This second opportunity proved to be a transformative experience.
For the remake, the vocal demands were thoughtfully adjusted. When Baker revisited the role, his first question was simply, “Does he have to laugh?” The director responded with a clear directive: “No maniacal laughter on this.”
This change allowed Baker to approach the performance with greater freedom. The experience was ultimately beneficial, helping his vocal cords further, demonstrating how creative adjustments can enhance an actor’s performance and career.
While Baker’s journey highlights the intricate demands of voice acting, the world of animation and television continues to offer exciting new releases. Fans of animation will have plenty to look forward to this fall season, with new titles like The Apothecary Diaries season 3, Dragon Ball Super: Beerus, and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 gracing the lineup.
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