Troy Baker, renowned for his voice acting roles, recently shared his thoughts on playing Joel in the critically acclaimed game, The Last of Us. During a Q&A session at GalaxyCon New Orleans in 2025, Baker candidly admitted that he felt "woefully unprepared" for the role, describing it as a daunting experience. He conveyed that despite his extensive background in voice acting, stepping into the shoes of Joel was like bungee jumping without proper preparation. Baker emphasized the emotional weight and pressure that accompanied the performance, recalling discussions with co-star Ashley Johnson, who plays Ellie. His experience in this role not only impacted his career but also taught him valuable lessons about acting. Recently, Baker has continued to engage with the gaming world through roles in titles like Death Stranding 2 and Mouse: P.I. for Hire. The Last of Us remains a pivotal title in gaming history, and its influence continues to resonate in new adaptations, including an upcoming comprehensive script book and a new game in development by Naughty Dog.
What challenges did Troy Baker face in his role as Joel in The Last of Us? nBaker felt unprepared for the emotional depth and complexity required for Joel, which made his performance a significant challenge. He learned to approach his character authentically, leading to professional growth as an actor.nThe Last of Us, released in 2013 by Naughty Dog, is notable for its profound narrative, character development, and emotional depth, establishing a new standard for storytelling in video games. Its success led to a follow-up game released in 2020 and a popular HBO adaptation, further expanding its legacy.
Alex Riverton
Alex Riverton is a seasoned journalist with over a decade of experience in the gaming industry. Known for their in-depth analysis and hands-on previews, Alex has built a reputation for insightful commentary on gameplay mechanics and storytelling in videogames.
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Comments
It's refreshing to hear such honesty from a veteran like Baker—Joel’s role clearly pushed him in ways even his experience couldn’t fully prepare him for. The fact that this game still sparks deep conversations years later just proves how impactful its storytelling truly is.
It's wild how even seasoned pros like Troy Baker can feel out of their depth with a role like Joel—just goes to show how special that performance really was. The Last of Us continues to be a masterclass in storytelling, both in games and beyond.