FEATURING ELIAH
PLEASE KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF.
Hey everyone, I'm Roberto Jolliffe, though most people just call me Berto. To my family, I'll always be "Bert." I come from a beautifully blended heritage, my father is Panamanian, my mother a proud Nuyorican and growing up as a military kid meant home was wherever we landed. We moved often, but Texas became our anchor.
I'm a husband, a father, a creator and above all, a builder of legacies. For me, voice-over isn't just a career, it's a calling. Every word I speak into the mic is rooted in my journey: the cultures that raised me, the challenges I've overcome, and the deep belief that we all carry stories worth sharing. I have been fortunate to voice for brands like Pop-Tarts, Rap TV, Nike, HBO MAX, Vivid Seats, NASCAR, Pepsi Co., Paw Patrol, Kamala Harris, Beyond Meat, Akedo Ultimate War- rior ad more!
I'm passionate about showing others, especially my kids, that you don't have to fit into a box. You can be multi-passionate, you can rein- vent yourself, and you can build a life that looks like you. My goal is to use my voice not only to tell stories but to create opportunity, impact, and generational change.
PLEASE TALK ABOUT HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.
I didn't find voice-over...it found me.
Back in November 2020, my son was born during the height of the pandemic. For the first time in my life, I had a window to slow down and reflect. I was on paternity leave, spending more time at home than I ever had, and I found myself looking at the leftover podcast equipment from a show I'd helped friends launch the year before. The podcast had ended, but the gear was still there, just waiting for a new story to be told.
Then I remembered a conversation with my friend William Brown out in L.A., he casually mentioned a voice-over site called Voices.com. At the time, I didn't even know VO could be a real career. But something about it stuck. I thought, "Why not now?" That mo- ment became my 2021 New Year's resolution.
I signed up for the site, uploaded my first samples, and the next thing I knew, I was off to the races. No studio. No formal training. Just me, a mic, and a mindset. What started as a side curiosity turned into a purpose, I didn't even know I'd been preparing for all my life.
SHARE A MOMENT WHERE YOU FELT YOU WANTED TO BE INSPIRED TO BE A PART OF THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.
The moment I truly felt inspired to belong in this industry wasn't when I booked a job or got my first check...it was when I found the voice-over com- munity.
In the beginning, I was figuring things out by trial and error. I'd do full reads with zero editing, running straight takes, trying not to mess up. I didn't know about EQ settings, mic placement, or that auditions could be improved post-recording. I was just winging it. But one day, I stumbled across some Facebook groups and YouTube channels where seasoned VO artists were sharing wisdom, breaking things down, and most importantly welcoming new talent without ego or gatekeeping.
That blew me away. I came from industries where people held their cards close, but in VO? People were opening doors, sharing knowledge, and rooting for you. Strangers became mentors. Some even became real good friends, not because of clout or credits, but because of shared journeys. That kind of community lit a fire in me. I didn't just want to do voice-over.... wanted to grow with the people in it.
That sense of inclusion and empowerment inspired me to keep going. It made me want to get better, not just for me, but so I could eventually turn around and do the same for someone else. Because in this space, growth isn't just personal, it's communal.
PLEASE TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN THIS INDUSTRY AND HOW YOU OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES.
One of the biggest challenges in this industry? Silenc- ing the noise in your own head.
In the beginning, self-doubt hit hard. I'd second-guess every audition: "Is this good enough?" But over time, I realized success in this game comes from unlearning perfectionism and leaning into authenticity. Training, coaching, conferences, all those help, but nothing replaces finding your unique voice.
You also have to understand that being a voice actor isn't just about having a great voice, it's about being an entrepreneur. You're the talent, but also the mar- keter, the tech guy, the scheduler, the accountant, and the creative director. That means building systems, staying organized, and always finding new ways to market yourself without burning out.
The way I overcome all of it? Community. Consis- tency. And choosing to bet on myself every day, even when it's hard. That's the real difference-maker. The biggest battle in Voice Over is YOU vs. YOU.
IS THERE ANY PROJECT OR PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH OR COLLABORATE WITH?
Absolutely. I've got a list that stays ready!
I'd love to voice a character in Grand Theft Auto VI or the next Dragon Ball series. Shows like Rick and Morty, Invincible, and anything on Adult Swim I'm all in. I'd also love to voice promos or documentaries for the History Channel and the shows like how brands or companies are made in America inspire me so much. Also, college sports programs, Call of Duty and hip-hop-focused content. There's something powerful about combining voice and culture, it creates mo- ments that feel personal and unforgettable.
And when it comes to people? I'd love to work with creatives like Issa Rae, Donald Glover, Ryan Coogler or Jordan Peele, visionaries who know how to fuse authenticity with art. That's the space I want to move in, where storytelling is bold, intentional, and layered with meaning.
WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED ON.
Right now, my main focus is on commercial voice- over, that's the area where I've booked the most, and where my tone and delivery style really thrive. I love tapping into that conversational, trustworthy energy brands are looking for today.
But I'm also pushing deeper into promo and character work, because those spaces light me up creatively. There's something magical about building a voice that sets the tone for a whole show or brings a character to life. I've been training hard in those areas, studying industry leaders, working with coaches, and dialing in my technique so when the opportunity comes, I'm not just ready...I'm undeniable.
I see Voice Over as a long game. So, while I honor where I'm winning now, I'm always planting seeds for the spaces I want to grow into.
WHAT TYPE OF SPECIALTY IN VOICE OVER WORK DO YOU LIKE TO FO- CUS ON, OR DO YOU HAVE SEVERAL TYPES?
My current specialties are Commer- cial and Promo work, those are core to my foundation. I love the challenge of bringing a brand's message to life in just 15 or 30 seconds. You've got to make every word matter, and I thrive in that high-stakes simplicity. Anima- tion and gaming spaces I'm trickling into little by little.
But I'm also expanding into Audio Description, which has become a true passion project. I've been study- ing the work of Roy Samuelson and others who are leading the charge in making media accessible for the blind and low-vision community. It's powerful work, because it's not about you, it's about serving some- one else's experience. When I was in the tech industry part of one of my jobs was doing mobile performance testing and always thinking about accessible UI/UX experiences which left a lifelong awareness. So, I take that mindset into all of my crafts, it has made me a better actor and a better person.
In the long run, I want to master every lane, from animation to video games to long-form narration. I'm in this for the full journey.
CAN YOU SHARE ANY EXCITING PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON NOW?
Yes! I'm working on a few amazing projects right now.
I'm voicing an internal training program for Ohio State University through a grant initiative, it's exciting to contribute to something that's educational and forward-thinking. I've also got some new commercial work dropping soon for Ford and Del Taco, both of which have been a blast to record.
But the project closest to my heart? I'm writing a book called "Ahhh, So You Want to Be a VOICE OVER ACTOR?" It's an illustrated guide for both kids and adults who want to learn about this world in a fun, accessible way. The goal is to demystify the industry and spark curiosity, because sometimes, all it takes is one spark to change someone's life. You'll be able to find it on my social platforms and at TheVOBook.com.
IF SOMEONE WANTS TO HIRE YOU FOR ANY VOICE OVER WORK, CAN YOU PLEASE LIST YOUR WEB- SITE AND HOW PEOPLE CAN REACH YOU?
For sure, I'd love to connect!
You can check out my work at BertoTheVO.com, or reach me directly at [email protected]. My business line is 915-443-1671, and I'm active across all social media channels @BertoBoushae. Whether you're looking for a commercial voice, a promo read, or someone to help bring your next proj- ect to life, let's build something dope together.