Ian James Corlett
A versatile voice actor who brought life to iconic 90s cartoon heroes, from Mega Man to the first English-speaking adult Goku.
Born 1962 (age 64)·Canadian voice actor and author·Birthday: August 29·Baby Boomers
Biography
Ian James Corlett's voice is a cornerstone of 90s animation nostalgia. In Canada's bustling Vancouver voiceover scene, he became a go-to actor for youthful, energetic heroes. He gave Ruby-Spears' Mega Man his determined, boyish charm and infused the young Cheetor in 'Beast Wars' with restless enthusiasm. His most historically significant role came when he provided the first English voice for the adult Goku in the early Ocean Group dub of 'Dragon Ball Z,' setting a template for the character in the West. But Corlett wasn't content to just be a voice; he leveraged his experience to create and write. He co-created and starred in the hit Canadian series 'Being Ian,' a semi-autobiographical show about a boy obsessed with animation, bringing his world full circle. His career embodies the journey from performer to auteur within the animation industry.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Ian was born in 1962, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ian Was Born
The biggest hits of 1962
#1 Movie
Lawrence of Arabia
Best Picture
Lawrence of Arabia
#1 TV Show
Beverly Hillbillies
Ian's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1962Born
Cuban Missile Crisis brings the world to the brink
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $12,800Min wage: $1.15/hrPresident: John F. Kennedy"Stranger on the Shore" — Acker BilkBest Picture: Lawrence of Arabia
1967Started school
Summer of Love in San Francisco; first Super Bowl
Gas: $0.33/galHome: $14,250Min wage: $1.40/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"To Sir, with Love" — LuluBest Picture: In the Heat of the Night
1975Became a teenager
Fall of Saigon ends the Vietnam War
Gas: $0.57/galHome: $27,600Min wage: $2.10/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Love Will Keep Us Together" — Captain & TennilleBest Picture: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
1978Could drive
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1980Could vote
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1983Turned 21
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1992Turned 30
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2002Turned 40
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2012Turned 50
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 60
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 64 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Provided the voice of Mega Man in the 1994 Ruby-Spears animated television adaptation.
- Was the first actor to voice the adult version of Goku in the English-language Ocean dub of 'Dragon Ball Z.'
- Voiced Cheetor in the original 'Beast Wars: Transformers' television series.
- Created, wrote, and voiced the lead character in the Emmy-nominated Canadian animated series 'Being Ian.'
Did You Know?
He is a certified pilot and often incorporates aviation into his writing and personal life.
He authored a series of children's books called 'The Ewe Books,' which are pun-filled stories about sheep.
He provided the voice for the 'Cinnamon Toast Crunch' mascot in commercials for many years.
Before voice acting, he worked as a radio DJ in Calgary.
“The voice is a costume you put on from the inside out.”
