You’ve likely heard his voice a thousand times without even realizing it.
Honestly, the name Greg Baldwin doesn't always ring a bell for casual viewers, but for fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender or Samurai Jack, he’s basically a legend. He had the impossible job. How do you step into the shoes of Mako Iwamatsu—the original Uncle Iroh and Aku—after the man passes away? It’s a heavy lift. Most people just assume he was an understudy or some protégé, but the reality is way more interesting.
He just auditioned. That’s it. No secret apprenticeship. Just a guy who had spent thirty years inadvertently practicing a voice because he loved a Broadway cast album.
The Iroh Legacy and the Mako Connection
When we talk about greg baldwin movies and tv shows, the conversation usually starts and ends with Uncle Iroh. It’s understandable. Iroh is the soul of Avatar. When Mako passed away in 2006 during the production of Season 2, Nickelodeon was in a bind.
Baldwin didn't just swoop in for Season 3. He actually started doing "patchwork" during the second season. If you go back and watch The Tales of Ba Sing Se, specifically the part where Iroh is helping those kids who broke a window with a ball, that’s actually Baldwin. It’s tiny bits of dialogue mixed right in with Mako’s original recordings. By the time Season 3 rolled around, Baldwin took over the mantle full-time. He brought a certain gentleness that kept the character alive for a whole new generation.
Later, he reprised the role in The Legend of Korra. Seeing Iroh in the Spirit World was a massive "get" for fans, and Baldwin’s performance made it feel like the character never truly left.
✨ Don't miss: The Lil Wayne Tracklist for Tha Carter 3: What Most People Get Wrong
Beyond the Fire Nation: Samurai Jack and TMNT
It wasn't just Iroh. Greg Baldwin has this uncanny ability to channel Mako's specific gravelly resonance. This led him to Samurai Jack. For years, the show was in limbo, but when it returned for its gritty fifth season on Adult Swim, the master of darkness, Aku, needed a voice.
Baldwin has gone on record saying Aku was actually much harder than Iroh. Iroh is zen. Iroh is tea and wisdom. Aku? Aku is a shape-shifting chaotic nightmare who jumps from terrifying to hilarious in a single breath. Baldwin had to find that balance without making it feel like a cheap imitation.
Then there’s the 2007 TMNT movie. Most people forget Mako was the voice of Splinter in that film. He died during production, and Baldwin stepped in to finish the dialogue. Again, the recordings were blended so seamlessly that most audiences didn't even notice the switch. It’s a testament to his technical skill, sure, but also to his respect for the source material.
The Original Roles You Probably Missed
It’s kinda unfair to only view him as a "replacement" actor. Baldwin has a massive list of original credits that have nothing to do with mimicking someone else.
Take Star Wars: The Clone Wars. He voiced Jedi Master Tera Sinube, the elderly investigator who helps Ahsoka Tano find her stolen lightsaber. It’s one of the most underrated episodes of the series. Sinube is slow, methodical, and surprisingly badass—completely different from the booming theatricality of Aku.
🔗 Read more: Songs by Tyler Childers: What Most People Get Wrong
He’s also popped up in:
- The Ghost and Molly McGee: He plays Bartholomew, a member of the Ghost Council.
- SpongeBob SquarePants: He voiced a character named Jack M. Crazyfish.
- The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack: He did voices for Sir Pattington and the Constable.
- Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures: He was the voice of Furlac.
Baldwin is a character actor in the truest sense. He’s not looking for the spotlight; he’s looking for the "truth" of the scene, whether he’s playing a ghost, a Jedi, or a talking fish.
Video Games and the "Atlas" Mystery
If you’re a gamer, you’ve definitely crossed paths with him. He’s in Skyrim, Fallout 4 (as Proctor Teagan), and Ghost of Tsushima. But the weirdest bit of trivia involves the original BioShock.
Baldwin was actually the original voice of Atlas.
Yeah, the "Would you kindly" guy. He recorded the whole role with a Southern drawl. But late in development, the creators decided they wanted an Irish accent instead. They brought in Karl Hanover to re-record everything. However, Baldwin didn't leave the project entirely; he ended up voicing Frank Fontaine, the game's primary antagonist. It’s a wild bit of "what if" history in gaming. Imagine BioShock with a Southern Atlas. It totally changes the vibe.
💡 You might also like: Questions From Black Card Revoked: The Culture Test That Might Just Get You Roasted
The Man Behind the Mic
Greg Baldwin is a theater guy at heart. He spent years on stage before the voice acting thing "chose him," as he puts it. He’s played Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors and the Baker in The Baker's Wife. That theatrical background is why his voice work feels so lived-in. He understands timing, breath control, and subtext.
He’s also incredibly active with the fan community. On social media, he often shares wisdom in the "style" of Iroh, helping fans through tough times. He even joked about running for Governor of New Mexico in 2026 under the "White Lotus Party." It’s that kind of genuine connection that makes him a favorite at conventions.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring VAs
If you're looking to dive deeper into greg baldwin movies and tv shows, or if you're trying to learn from his career, here is how to approach it:
- Listen for the Blend: Re-watch Avatar Season 2 and try to spot where Mako ends and Baldwin begins. It’s a masterclass in vocal matching.
- Study "Lightsaber Lost": Watch the Clone Wars episode with Tera Sinube. It shows how Baldwin can build a brand-new, iconic character from scratch without relying on his "Mako voice."
- Explore his BioShock work: Play through the final act of BioShock and listen to the transition from Atlas to Fontaine. The vocal shifts Baldwin employs are chilling once you know what to look for.
- Follow the "White Lotus" Wisdom: Baldwin’s Twitter (X) and convention appearances are gold mines for anyone interested in the philosophy of acting and the legacy of the characters he inhabits.
Greg Baldwin didn't just replace a legend; he protected a legacy while building a formidable one of his own. Whether he’s serving tea or unleashing unspeakable evil, his presence in modern animation is indispensable.