Wubba lubba dub dub. It’s the phrase that launched a thousand T-shirts, but for a long time, fans didn't know if they’d ever hear it the same way again.
Honestly, the drama behind the scenes of Rick and Morty was almost as chaotic as a Citadel of Ricks field trip. When the news broke that Adult Swim was parting ways with co-creator and lead voice actor of Rick and Morty, Justin Roiland, the internet basically had a collective meltdown. How do you replace the guy who is the show? Well, they found a way.
In fact, they found two people.
The New Faces: Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden
For years, one man did the heavy lifting. Justin Roiland voiced both the alcoholic super-genius Rick Sanchez and his perpetually stressed grandson, Morty Smith. When he was fired following domestic violence charges (which were later dropped due to insufficient evidence), the production team faced a nightmare.
They didn't just need an impressionist. They needed actors who could live in those roles for years.
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Ian Cardoni is the man who stepped into the lab coat as Rick Sanchez. Before this, he was a relatively unknown actor with credits ranging from narrating WrestleMania to small roles in films like Clear History. He’s got that gravelly, nihilistic edge down to a science.
Then you have Harry Belden, who took over as Morty. If you’ve seen Chicago Med or Joe Pera Talks with You, you might have caught a glimpse of him before he became the new voice of the multiverse’s favorite sidekick. He captures that iconic, high-pitched crack in Morty’s voice so well that most casual viewers didn't even realize a change had happened when Season 7 premiered.
Why split the role in two?
It’s a fair question. Why hire two guys to do what one guy did for a decade?
Showrunner Scott Marder has been pretty open about this. To be blunt, voicing both characters is a brutal grind. It wears down the vocal cords. By splitting the roles, the show ensures that neither Cardoni nor Belden burns out. It also allows them to record dialogue together or react to one another with more spontaneity than one person talking to themselves in a booth.
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The search wasn't quick. We're talking about a six-month "exhaustive" process.
They listened to thousands of auditions. Marder mentioned that most people sounded like "Macho Man" Randy Savage trying to do a Rick impression. Finding that specific balance of "angry, sad, and despondent" without it feeling like a parody was the real challenge.
Does the change actually matter in 2026?
We are now well into the post-Roiland era. By the time Season 8 and 9 rolled around, the conversation mostly shifted from "Who are these new guys?" to "How is the writing?"
- Consistency: The show has maintained its tone.
- The Multiverse Factor: The lore actually helps here. In a show about infinite versions of the same person, a slight shift in pitch or cadence can just be hand-waved away as "Universe C-131 logic."
- Fan Reception: Initially, there was a lot of scrutiny. People were literally using audio software to compare waveforms. But now? Most fans have moved on.
The reality is that Rick and Morty has always been more than its lead voice actor. It’s about the high-concept sci-fi, the cynical humor, and the weirdly emotional family dynamics.
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Beyond the titular duo
While the focus is usually on the voice actor of Rick and Morty, the supporting cast is the actual glue that holds the Smith house together.
- Chris Parnell (Jerry Smith): The man is a legend. His delivery of Jerry’s pathetic yet earnest lines is arguably the best part of the show.
- Spencer Grammer (Summer Smith): She’s been there since day one and has evolved Summer from a background teen trope into a genuine badass.
- Sarah Chalke (Beth/Space Beth): Managing two versions of the same character—one a suburban mom, one a space rebel—is no small feat.
What most people get wrong about the swap
A lot of people think Adult Swim just found some guys on YouTube who could do good impressions. That's not how it went down.
These are trained actors. They have to do more than just "the voice." They have to perform the scripts. If Rick is crying because he misses Unity, or if Morty is having a breakdown because he realized his life is a lie, the actor has to sell that emotion. An impressionist can give you the sound, but only an actor can give you the character.
Honestly, the transition was about as seamless as anyone could have hoped for. The show didn't "die" without its original lead. It just evolved.
If you’re looking to track the evolution yourself, the best thing to do is watch the Season 6 finale followed immediately by the Season 7 premiere. You’ll hear the subtle shifts—Cardoni’s Rick is a bit more focused; Belden’s Morty is perhaps a hair more grounded—but the soul of the characters remains intact.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Check the Credits: Keep an eye on the guest stars in newer seasons. The show has been pulling in massive names like Peter Serafinowicz and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, proving it still has major industry pull.
- Compare the Video Games: If you want to hear the "final" transition, look at games like MultiVersus. Recent updates have replaced the old Roiland clips with new lines recorded by Cardoni and Belden, making the takeover official across all media.
- Follow the Creators: Dan Harmon is still the creative engine. If you like the storytelling, his influence is what you’re actually responding to, regardless of who is behind the microphone.