Neil Kaplan is an American voice actor, entertainer, and comedian known for his extensive work in anime, animation, and video games. Born on March 9, 1967, he began his career as a comedian performing impressions of public figures like Ronald Reagan and Dan Rather before transitioning into voice acting. Over the years, he has become a prominent figure in English dubs, bringing a wide range of characters to life, from iconic heroes to memorable villains.

Kaplan's anime filmography is diverse and includes several high-profile series. He is well-known for his portrayal of the powerful villain Madara Uchiha in the Naruto Shippuden series. He also voiced Captain Hawkmon and its various evolutions in Digimon Adventure 02, and the formidable Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto in Bleach and its sequel, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War. In more recent years, his roles include General Theo Magath in the final season of Attack on Titan, the cunning Lewis Mueller in Great Pretender, and Vulcan Haestus in the Studio Trigger film Promare. He has also lent his voice to characters in Cagaster of an Insect Cage as Harb Adham, Levius as Malcom Eden, The Deer King as the Aquafa King, and the film Dragon Quest: Your Story as Dr. Agon. His earlier work includes Kyogoku Tei in Requiem from the Darkness and Bronius in Pokémon Generations.

Beyond anime, Kaplan has achieved recognition for his work in Western animation and video games. He voiced the titular Autobot leader Optimus Prime in Transformers: Robots in Disguise, a role for which he specifically emulated the vocal style of the original Optimus Prime, Peter Cullen. He also played the villainous Emperor Zarkon in Voltron: Legendary Defender. In the video game world, he is celebrated for his performances as the rogue Tychus Findlay in StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, the space dragon Aurelion Sol in League of Legends, and the primary antagonist Dominus Ghaul in Destiny 2. His voice can also be heard in numerous other major franchises, including the Power Rangers live-action series from its early seasons.

Throughout his career, Kaplan has demonstrated a remarkable vocal range, moving seamlessly between the gravitas of a hero like Optimus Prime, the maniacal energy of a villain like Madara Uchiha, and the unique characterizations required for countless video game creatures and supporting roles. His ability to make iconic characters his own while respecting their legacy has solidified his place as a respected and sought-after talent in the voice acting industry.