Michael R. Cusack is an Australian animator, writer, director, producer, photographer, musician, and voice actor. He is the co-creator and co-star, along with fellow animator Zach Hadel, of the Adult Swim animated series, Smiling Friends, and creator and star of YOLO and Koala Man.[1]
Michael Cusack | |
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![]() Cusack at the 2024 WonderCon | |
Born | Michael R. Cusack Dapto, New South Wales, Australia |
Occupation(s) | Animator, writer, director, producer, photographer, musician, voice actor |
Years active | 2012–present |
Known for | YOLO Smiling Friends Koala Man |
Life and career
editCusack was born and raised in Dapto, a suburb of the Australian city of Wollongong, later moving to Melbourne where he now resides.[2] He grew up watching South Park, The Simpsons and Futurama. He became interested in animation in his 20s and taught himself Adobe Flash using internet tutorials. Cusack uploaded his content to his YouTube channel and Newgrounds account. Cusack created and portrayed the fictional character Lucas the Magnificent, a parody of New Atheist "neckbeards", in live-action YouTube videos and on Twitter, beginning in 2014; Cusack would later state that the character led to him coming in contact with and later befriending American animator Zach Hadel, as Lucas the Magnificent stated that he wanted Hadel to animate the intro of Lucas' inexistent prospective Let's Play show.[3] Cusack began to collaborate with Hadel, online at first then later in person, when Cusack traveled to meet him in Burbank, California.[4]
With Studio Yotta, Cusack animated a parody Rick and Morty episode, Bushworld Adventures, a special that aired on Adult Swim on April Fools' Day of 2018.[5] The success of Bushworld Adventures led Cusack to create YOLO and Smiling Friends for the network. Cusack became a collaborator with Rick and Morty creator Justin Roiland, voicing characters for his video game High on Life, television film The Paloni Show Halloween Special, and Mammon in the online series Helluva Boss.
Filmography
editYear | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2018 | Bushworld Adventures | Various | April Fools' Day parody of Rick and Morty. Also director, writer, producer, animator, compositor |
2018 | Fresh Blood: Koala Man | Koala Man, Damo, Darren, various | Original pilot airing on ABC Comedy in Australia |
2020; 2022–present | Smiling Friends | Pim, Allan, various | Also co-creator, director, writer, storyboard artist, storyboard revisionist, art director, character design supervisor, designer, and animator. |
2020–present | YOLO | Lucas the Magnificent, various | Also creator, director, writer, executive producer, animator, storyboard artist |
2023–present | Koala Man | Koala Man, Liam, Damo, Darren, various | Also creator, co-developer, writer, executive producer |
2024 | Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy | Servo | Mini-series |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2022 | High on Life | Knifey | Voice[6] |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2012 | Question for Ted | Various | YouTube series; 2 episodes |
2013–2015 | Weedheads | Various | YouTube series; 2 episodes |
2014–2016 | Damo and Darren | Damo, Darren, various | YouTube series; 5 episodes |
2018 | OneyPlays | Self | Guest; 1 episode |
2018 | Shrek Retold | Donkey | Animator |
2019 | The Cyanide and Happiness Show | Aladdin | 1 episode |
2021 | Smiling Friends: Free Draw | Self | Special hosted on Adult Swim YouTube channel. |
2022 | The Official Podcast | Self | Podcast, Guest |
2022 | The Create Unknown | Self | Podcast, Guest |
2023 | Helluva Boss | Mammon | YouTube series; 1 episode |
References
edit- ^ "Adult Swim's 'Smiling Friends' Turns Frowns Upside Down". Animation World Network. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- ^ Mathiesen, Craig (9 January 2023). "'Why not Wollongong?' Disney backs irreverent Aussie superhero spoof". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
- ^ "The Smiling Friends Troll: How This Atheist Gamer Got an Adult Swim Cameo". YouTube.
- ^ Zahed, Ramin (4 January 2022). "Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel Discuss Making 'Smiling Friends,' Their New Adult Swim Show". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
- ^ Whalen, Andrew (2 April 2018). "'Rick And Morty' April Fools' Day Episode, 'Bushworld Adventures,' Premieres Instead of Season 4". Newsweek. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
- ^ @MichaelRCusack (13 June 2022). "Yayy I voiced that knife :) @SquanchGames #HighOnLife" (Tweet) – via Twitter.