If you’ve tuned into Adult Swim recently, you might have noticed something a little off—or maybe you didn't notice anything at all, which was kind of the whole point. For years, the stuttering, burping, high-pitched chaos of the Smith household was synonymous with one guy. But things changed. Fast.
The question of who are the voices of Rick and Morty isn't as simple as it used to be back in 2022. It’s no longer a one-man show behind the microphone. We’ve entered a new era where "soundalikes" are the law of the land, and honestly, the story of how they got there is just as dramatic as a Citadel of Ricks uprising.
The New Faces Behind the Mic: Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden
Let’s get the big names out of the way first. As of Season 7 and continuing through Season 8 in 2025-2026, the titular roles have been split.
Ian Cardoni is the new voice of Rick Sanchez.
Harry Belden is the new voice of Morty Smith.
For nearly a decade, Justin Roiland voiced both. When he was ousted from the show in early 2023 following a series of domestic violence charges (which were later dismissed) and disturbing reports about his workplace conduct, Adult Swim had a massive problem. They didn't just need one actor; they needed someone—or multiple people—who could mimic the very specific vocal tics fans had grown to love.
The search was brutal. Showrunner Scott Marder mentioned they listened to thousands of auditions over six months. They even thought about a global hotline but figured it would just be thousands of people screaming "Wubba Lubba Dub Dub" into their phones.
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Cardoni was an early favorite for Rick. He’s a Boston-born actor who previously did some narration work for WWE (WrestleMania 36 and 37). He has that "Rick growl" down to a science. Belden, a Chicago native, came in later. He had minor roles in Chicago Med and Joe Pera Talks With You, but Morty is his massive breakout.
The most interesting part? The show decided to split the roles. It’s a lot of strain for one person to do both, especially with Rick’s constant yelling and Morty’s high-strung anxiety. By hiring two people, they’ve actually made the production process a bit more sustainable.
Who Are the Voices of Rick and Morty (and the Rest of the Family)?
While the leads changed, the "backbone" of the show—the Smith family—stayed exactly the same. This is probably why the transition felt so seamless for casual viewers. You still have the same veteran actors holding down the fort.
Chris Parnell as Jerry Smith
Chris Parnell is basically a legend at this point. You know him from Saturday Night Live and as Dr. Leo Spaceman on 30 Rock. He has played Jerry since day one. His ability to make Jerry sound pathetic yet weirdly endearing is a cornerstone of the show. Interestingly, Parnell has mentioned in interviews for Season 8 that he’s still constantly surprised by the writers, even after over a decade in the booth.
Sarah Chalke as Beth and Space Beth
Sarah Chalke (Scrubs, Roseanne) handles the dual role of Beth. Whether she’s playing the domestic, high-strung horse surgeon Beth or the badass, galaxy-traversing Space Beth, Chalke brings a grounding reality to the sci-fi madness. In 2025, she noted that Space Beth remains her favorite version of the character because of the sheer contrast in life experiences between the two.
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Spencer Grammer as Summer Smith
The daughter of Kelsey Grammer, Spencer has really turned Summer into a fan favorite. Originally, Summer was just the "annoying sister," but she’s evolved into Rick’s most competent partner. Grammer famously loves the role—she once told a story about refusing to leave the show for another project because she loved the character too much.
The Supporting Cast: The Unsung Heroes
You can't talk about the voices of this show without mentioning the utility players.
- Tom Kenny: The voice of SpongeBob SquarePants is a regular here. He voices Squanchy, the Smith neighbor Gene, and a dozen other weird aliens.
- Kari Wahlgren: She is the "Swiss Army Knife" of the cast. She voices Jessica, Rick’s Space Cruiser AI, and Diane Sanchez (Rick’s late wife).
- Keith David: As the President of the United States, David brings a level of gravitas that makes his petty bickering with Rick even funnier.
- Dan Harmon: The co-creator himself still pops up. He’s the voice of Birdperson and Mr. Nimbus.
Why the Recast Actually Worked
There was a lot of fear that the show would "die" without Roiland. Fans on TikTok and Reddit were pushing hard for Sean Kelly, a popular impressionist, to take over. But Adult Swim went with "unknowns" Cardoni and Belden for a reason.
They wanted actors who could act, not just do an impression.
If you watch Season 7 or the newer Season 8 episodes, the voices are about 95% there. Rick’s voice is a bit "cleaner"—maybe fewer burps than in the early seasons—and Morty’s voice is a tiny bit deeper, but the soul of the characters is intact. The show shifted its focus toward better writing and deeper character arcs, which helped distract from any minor vocal shifts.
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What You Should Know Moving Forward
If you're wondering what happened to the old voice, Justin Roiland is basically persona non grata in the industry now. Even though his legal charges were dropped, the reports of his behavior toward fans and staff were enough for Adult Swim, Hulu (Solar Opposites), and his game studio (Squanch Games) to cut ties forever.
The show is currently locked in for a long-term deal that takes it through Season 10 and beyond. This means Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden are the voices for the foreseeable future.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Check the Credits: If you hear a weird new alien, it's almost certainly Tom Kenny or Kari Wahlgren. They do about 40% of the incidental voices.
- Listen for the Shift: Go back and watch a Season 1 episode and then a Season 8 episode. You'll notice Rick's voice has actually become more "human" and less of a caricature over time.
- Follow the New Leads: Both Cardoni and Belden are starting to appear more at conventions. If you want the behind-the-scenes scoop on how they nail those screams, that's where you'll find it.
Basically, the show survived the impossible. It swapped its soul (the voices) and kept the body (the characters) moving without missing a beat.