UPSCALE Magazine

RODNEY SAULSBERRY: A Voice to be Reckoned With

Most dictionaries define the term "voice" as a medium or agency of expression. As one of the premiere voice-over talents in the country, Rodney Saulsberry is using his voice to narrate movie trailers, pitch products, bring life to cartoon characters and more. His distinctive voice is literally everywhere.

Rodney may have entered your home with the familiar movie trailer, "Starts Friday at a Theater Near You." His is the voice you have heard promoting some of your favorite movies including "How Stella Got Her Groove Back," "Friday," "Soul Food," "Nothing to Lose," "Hav Plenty," "White Man's Burden" and "Original Gangsters."

You may have heard his voice in radio or television commercials for ALPO, Honda Accord, Colgate, Greyhound, 7UP, Burger King and Nestle Crunch. It could have been his voice that prompted you to watch, as he promoted sitcoms and dramatic series on NBC, FOX, ABC, BET, UPN, CBS and the WB networks.

"It's a good living," Saulsberry says. "It is a very important part of the industry."

Living in Los Angeles has offered him the opportunity to work in various areas of entertainment. "There's so much to do out here," he says.
He is also the voice of Joe Robbie Robertson on the hit cartoon series "Spider Man." In the new cartoon, "Xyber 9," that debuts this fall on FOX, he will provide the voice for the character Willy. "Animation is the most taxing because the characters require altering the voice," he says. "I'm careful with my voice."

A variety of talents have kept him working since his part in "Your Arms Are Too Short To Box with God" brought him to the West Coast. Prior to going into voiceover exclusively, Saulsberry even used his baritone voice for singing. Acting is also a part of his impressive resume. His television credits include "Taxi," "MASH," "Gimmie A Break," "Hill Street Blues" and "Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman." He also enjoyed series regular status on the soap opera's "Capitol" and "The Young and the Restless."

Like many African-Americans in Hollywood, he admits that race is a factor. "You would think that race wouldn't matter with the voice, but it still does. I fight the same battles that any African-American in the workplace does," he shares.

Despite any challenges, Saulsberry is a success story in his field. He credits his wife of 18 years, Helen, and his 11-year-old daughter, Traci, with providing an excellent support system.

He wants young people to know that "it is not just in front of the camera that you can achieve success in show business!"

Upscale Magazine December/January 2000