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Jokes, people: Roman voice actor really paid, Rockstar 'more than generous' photo

Jason Zumwalt, the voice actor behind the excited-by-American-teetees Roman Bellic in Grand Theft Auto IV, is a funny guy. There was evidence of this in the form of a sketch Zumwalt put together, where he pleaded for cash because he hadn't made any money off of his work for the blockbuster game. But these are only jokes, people.

"I posted a sketch two weeks ago where I spun the Miley Cyrus/Vanity Fair shoot into a sick incest thing, and folks think that's real," he told us. "Imagine how many people thought a loser with a bloody nose didn't actually get paid to be in the biggest videogame of all time. Not true. [Rockstar] were more than generous."

And you may have noticed that the original video has been removed from Jason's YouTube account. Was it a result of Rockstar-hired goons? 

"I love the people over at Rockstar, and while they totally got the joke," he said of his sketch, "they didn't want to lose control of their 'intellectual property.' I understand, I guess."

Never fear -- those looking for more of the man behind the voice of Roman Bellic can check out his YouTube channel, I Am Zumwalt, which is updated regularly with new funny. And about that Roman Bellic sketch ... maybe you can still find it here. Just don't tell Rockstar.


Continue: More Rockstar stories





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29 comments | showing # 1 to 29

Cowzilla3's Avatar
Cowzilla3 at 05/14/2008 21:14
Wait so the guy on the left in normal clothes and a sane look on his face isn't real but the guy on the right in a silk jockey out fit looking insane is? The world is confusing sometimes.
Samit Sarkar's Avatar
Samit Sarkar at 05/14/2008 21:16
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: people are retarded. Of course it was a joke, and it was a helluva hilarious one, at that. Also, this man is awesome, if only because he has now created his own iconic line with just three words: “NIKO, MY COUSIN!”
Jim Sterling's Avatar
Jim Sterling at 05/14/2008 21:18
I love that his work on GTA IV is getting him some extra recognition and fans. He deserves it for a fine performance.
MrSadistic's Avatar
MrSadistic at 05/14/2008 21:22
GTA IV pushed me over the edge with the word "Cousin" so much that if I hear it from the lips of someone with a Eastern European accent one more time, I am bound to stab them in the face.
RAB's Avatar
RAB at 05/14/2008 21:27
BEEG AMERRICAN TEETEES!!!
Volomon's Avatar
Volomon at 05/14/2008 21:29
They were probably afraid of investors seeing that video and they would start thinking, "Rockstar has no money SELL SELL EA where are you my honey pot of uncreativity".
Boolean's Avatar
Boolean at 05/14/2008 21:33
@RAB: I laugh so hard every time I hear that.

Did people really think his video was real? Jesus Mr. Internet, lighten up, stop being so serious. Good to see once again the actions of a few retards have spoilt the fun for everyone.
Volomon's Avatar
Volomon at 05/14/2008 21:34
Wow I just watch the incest one and in the comments people actually come out and say its fake. Like it wouldn't be known.
Droll's Avatar
Droll at 05/14/2008 21:34
The best part about that sketch is the nosebleed.
Cocaine is a hell of a drug.
Droll's Avatar
Droll at 05/14/2008 21:35
And Roman is AMAZING in GTA IV. If you finished GTA IV and told me "Roman Bellic is one of the greatest Video Game charecters of all time," I would say "DUDE! TOTALLY!"
Alexradl's Avatar
Alexradl at 05/14/2008 21:41
Yeah, that skit was great. I can't see how someone could possibly think that the video was meant to be taken seriously. Remember guys, the internets is serious business.
AgentMOO's Avatar
AgentMOO at 05/14/2008 21:59
Cousin, why don't you like the fake american teeties?
BlackSunEmpire's Avatar
BlackSunEmpire at 05/14/2008 22:09
The fact he has to have a press release to say that this was a joke lowers my opinion of the general public even further.
MaximusPaynicus's Avatar
MaximusPaynicus at 05/14/2008 22:14
Anybody who thought this was a real cry for help should be banned from my internet.
Clockwork's Avatar
Clockwork at 05/14/2008 22:16
He should really put up a disclaimer before all of his videos.
MechaMonkey's Avatar
MechaMonkey at 05/14/2008 22:31
I only talk to my roommate in Roman's voice now that we're both playing the game. He hates it, and it's hilarious.

"Cousin! We should go bowling!"
ElfShotTheFood's Avatar
ElfShotTheFood at 05/14/2008 23:06
The fact that the clip showed repo men going in and out of the house while he was talking should have been the first obvious sign that maybe the video wasn't being totally serious.
Nick Chester's Avatar
Nick Chester at 05/14/2008 23:12
@ blacksunempire:

No press release was issued. I noticed the video was gone, so I got in touch with him. That's all!
BlackSunEmpire's Avatar
BlackSunEmpire at 05/14/2008 23:48
@Nick Chester

Fair enough.
nukka jdav's Avatar
nukka jdav at 05/14/2008 23:53
Go read the comments on his horse racing video.

You will be surprised at the amount of horse-lovers on youtube.

They are fucking hardcore.
Fading Star's Avatar
Fading Star at 05/15/2008 03:43
Lol.
Cheeburga's Avatar
Cheeburga at 05/15/2008 05:53
I wanted to hear him say teetees.
Demtor's Avatar
Demtor at 05/15/2008 07:41
Haha, hardcore horse-lovers. I watched a video like that once...
mistic's Avatar
mistic at 05/15/2008 10:18
awesome joke :-)
king3vbo's Avatar
king3vbo at 05/15/2008 10:36
That video is freaking awesome
Holyetheline's Avatar
Holyetheline at 05/15/2008 11:28
He's awesome. I wish I was a voice actor. haha
Dexter345's Avatar
Dexter345 at 05/15/2008 16:55
Some people are stupid. It happens.
PetiePal's Avatar
PetiePal at 05/16/2008 11:14
Knew it was BS. He did too good a job :) And we all know the money didn't go totally towards the soundtrack hehee
Necros's Avatar
Necros at 05/16/2008 23:53
Anyone who took this seriously needs to be punched in the spleen.
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