Anecdotario 232 - Me pidieron boicotear a los Simpson Ft. Humberto Vélez

Summary

The video features an interview with renowned Mexican voice actor Humberto Vélez, known for voicing iconic characters like Homer Simpson. He shares insights into his early acting experiences, passion for voice work, approach to bringing animated roles to life, and special connection he's built with fans over the years. Vélez explains how he got his big break voicing Homer and fondly recalls reactions from devoted viewers—from delighting kids to moving autistic people. He reflects on both the creative freedom and ethical demands of dubbing, while offering an inclusive take on others crossing over into voice acting. The lively discussion provides a window into Vélez's prolific career and the art of voiceover.

Takeaways

• 😄 Humberto started voice acting at a young age and knew it was his calling.
• 👨‍🎨 He brings honesty and commitment to every role, even if the character's ideology differs from his own.
• 😎 He doesn't choose favorite characters. He fully commits to each role with the audience in mind.
• 🎙️ Televisa originally rejected The Simpsons, but he was eventually cast as Homer and helped adapt it for Latin American audiences.
• 😡 He refused to sabotage the show when a manager told him to dub it poorly after it moved to a rival network.
• 👶 Hearing how his voice work helped children, like those with autism, brings him the most joy.
• 🎓 He welcomes newcomers like YouTubers to voice acting if they properly train for it.
• 🎤 He doesn't identify personally with his roles. Acting is his job, not his identity.
• 💪 Persistence and following his calling got him the role of Homer Simpson after initially being rejected.
• 🙏 He is grateful to connect with fans and have his childhood dream job.

Q & A

How did Humberto get started in voice acting and dubbing?

Humberto got interested in dubbing from a young age after seeing it featured in a magazine. He started acting to prepare for dubbing roles. His talent for imitating voices and comedic acting was apparent since elementary school.

What was the casting process like for The Simpsons in Mexico?

The Simpsons creator Matt Groening was directly involved in the Mexico casting. Humberto was not originally called for an audition, but ended up being brought in on the last day after none of the other actors satisfied Matt over a week of auditions. Humberto immediately understood the comedic sensibilities Matt was looking for and was cast as the voice of Homer Simpson.

How did Humberto approach voicing Homer Simpson?

Humberto aimed to adapt Homer's character and humor to Latin American Spanish audiences. He focused on bringing an authentic comedic interpretation that fit Homer rather than just directly translating the English lines. This localization was key to the show's popularity across Latin America.

What happened when The Simpsons moved TV networks in Mexico?

Initially produced by Televisa, The Simpsons later moved to competitor Azteca TV. Humberto was pressured by Televisa to dub the show poorly in hopes of making Azteca's airing fail. Humberto diplomatically resisted by removing censorship and dubbing the show as authentically as possible, leading to continued success.

Why did Humberto stop voicing Homer for many years?

A contract dispute led to an 8 month strike at the dubbing studio that resulted in Humberto and other voice actors being replaced. Disney eventually brought Humberto back 17 years later when younger executives who grew up as Simpsons fans took over.

How has Humberto's approach changed since returning to The Simpsons?

Humberto works with his adult children as consultants to help adjust the humor and sensibilities to modern audiences. He can no longer voice Homer with the same homophobic or sexist undertones that were acceptable decades ago.

What does Humberto most enjoy about voice acting?

Humberto enjoys the audience connection and making a positive impact on people's lives through his voice work, including those with conditions like autism. He treats every role fully even if ideologically opposed to keep the acting authentic.

Does Humberto get too attached to any characters he voices?

No, Humberto purposefully avoids emotional attachment to any particular roles. He sees voice acting as his craft and livelihood, but does not let any character become part of his personal identity.

What is Humberto's view on celebrities doing voice acting?

Humberto welcomes celebrities exploring voice acting as long as they properly train and prepare for the roles. He feels there is opportunity for everyone in the industry if the voice work is done well.

How can aspiring voice actors best start out?

Humberto recommends lots of practice, taking acting classes, observing and listening to others' speech patterns, and pursuing roles in theater, TV or commercials to hone vocal skills before specialized voice acting.