Lance Reddick is a man with a storied and varied career. In movies, the man has appeared in John Wick and its sequels. In shows, Lost, Oz, Resident Evil and The Wire have all featured Reddick. And his voice can be heard in games such as Horizon: Zero Dawn and Destiny. Most recently, he featured in Percy Jackson and the Olympians, playing the role of Zeus. It could be one of the last times where his performance can be analyzed. And his role is a perfect example of why he was loved and respected throughout his career.
Reddick is a man with stature. He has the ability to carry a scene, and that is shown. Within seconds of his appearance in the episode “The Prophecy Comes True.” The final episode shows the father of the Greek Gods on his throne on Mount Olympus, dressed in a business suit. And it isn’t long before the powerful presence is exhibited on the young hero. There is only a glimpse at Zeus’ true power, and yet Reddick displays what could be coming brilliantly. His height and posture exude confidence and dominance, demanding those against him pay him respect.
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Lance Reddick has frequently been cast as a high-ranking member of a police force, such as The Wire or Bosch. In an interview for Off Camera with Sam Jones, he discusses grappling with being typecast as an authority figure. He played so many FBI agents and other law enforcement officers that it made him resentful and angry. This is what likely led to a change later in his career. He mentions almost turning down Bosch due to that resistance to the typecasting, saying “I told them, no more cops!”
That power that Lance Reddick exudes when entering a room became so well known that it became a target for humor. It has been used as a feature for comedic purposes several times. In Corporate, Reddick portrays an extremely authoritarian CEO of a company. He would periodically appear and berate those beneath him, delivering over-the-top monologues intended to drag those underneath into submission. The comedic roles are much better examples of the man’s acting range.
John Wick is another example of how Reddick can adapt to the authority figure’s standpoint. As Charon, Reddick is stoic and often emotionless. For the first two movies, he can be seen behind his desk, welcoming people into the Continental and tending to their needs. Instead of being in charge, Charon is subservient and exists to be helpful. He’s a man who is firm but kind, especially to his friends.
The bond that Charon builds with Winston (Ian McShane) and Wick (Keanu Reeves) draws out a soft side that is a vast difference from the cold exterior that his other roles entail. It shows a phenomenal range within Reddick’s acting skills to constantly toy with what expectations people have of you.
Another part of what made Reddick so recognizable was his voice. Beautifully smooth and deep, the classically trained actor has terrific control, which means he can roar like a lion or hiss like a snake. In Percy Jackson and the Olympians, that voice booms. When he strides toward the young Percy, Reddick delivers a monologue filled with menace and underlying fury.
He speaks quickly but assertively, so you hang on to every word. But as Charon, the tone is hushed and polite. There is a constant restraint in his voice. His rage is tempered, whispered through gritted teeth. But there is always the possibility of it exploding into a thunderous tirade or actual thunder in Zeus’ case.
Reddick’s famous voice landed him roles as a voice actor. Duck Tales, Castlevania, and Rick & Morty all have guest appearances. He had an immense adaptability, coping very well with accents. Reddick has spoken with French and other accents multiple times, and they are always believable and fit the tone of his voice beautifully. As Zeus, the American accent shifts when he converses in Ancient Greek, then slips back again.
Lance Reddick will be missed because he was so dependable and recognizable. His voice echoes across pop culture, from cartoons to comedies. When he popped up in a show, movie, or game, it was certain that his performance would be excellent, even if the rest of the material did not succeed. Personally, I smiled every time I saw him.
There was a level of frustration when watching Percy Jackson and the Olympians as it became clear that his performance would be saved until the final episode. But in a way, it is perfect. Lance Reddick blows every other God out of the water, filling the screen with gravitas and fury. It hurts so much that there won’t be more of him as Zeus, as he shone like he always has. But with a body of work of that size, there are plenty of opportunities to keep listening to that voice.
