Joseph May
A versatile character actor who gave a beloved children's character his American voice for six years while building a sharp comedic resume.
Born 1974 (age 52)·British-born Canadian actor·Birthday: June 16·Generation X
Biography
Joseph May's career is a study in transatlantic adaptability. Born in England and raised in Canada, he carved out a niche as a reliable and often slyly funny presence on both sides of the pond. While he earned early recognition in the UK for his role as tech whiz Adam Moseby in the 90s series 'Bugs,' his later work showcased a gift for comedy. He delivered a memorable performance as the hapless network executive Andy Button in the satirical Hollywood series 'Episodes,' a role that required him to hold his own against comedy heavyweights. Perhaps his most widely heard work was entirely vocal: from 2015 to 2021, he was the American voice of the cheerful tank engine Thomas, introducing the character to a new generation of fans. May's path reflects an actor less interested in stardom than in steady, quality work across genres, from drama to absurdist comedy to children's entertainment.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Joseph was born in 1974, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Joseph Was Born
The biggest hits of 1974
#1 Movie
The Towering Inferno
Best Picture
The Godfather Part II
#1 TV Show
All in the Family
Joseph's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1974Born
Nixon resigns the presidency
Gas: $0.53/galHome: $22,600Min wage: $2.00/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"The Way We Were" — Barbra StreisandBest Picture: The Godfather Part II
1979Started school
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1987Became a teenager
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1990Could drive
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1992Could vote
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
1995Turned 21
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2004Turned 30
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2014Turned 40
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 50
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 52 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Served as the voice of Thomas the Tank Engine for the US dub of 'Thomas & Friends' from 2015 to 2021.
- Played the recurring role of network executive Andy Button on the critically acclaimed Showtime series 'Episodes'.
- Portrayed lead character Adam Moseby in the popular BBC sci-fi adventure series 'Bugs' in the late 1990s.
Did You Know?
He is the son of British actress Susan Hampshire.
He provided the voice for several characters in the video game 'Star Wars: The Old Republic'.
He played a character named 'Luke' in the British comedy series 'I Live with Models'.
“I'm an actor who's lived in both England and Canada, so I've always had to adapt.”
