The Rise of Ben Starr, From 3 Games Before Final Fantasy 16 to 14 After

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Ben Starr is quickly becoming one of the most recognizable voices in gaming, much like Troy Baker was a few years ago. It feels like he’s in every new game these days! With a distinctive, deep voice and ability to convey a wide range of emotions, it’s no surprise he’s become so popular. His breakout role as Clive Rosfield in Final Fantasy 16 really put him on the map. Since the game’s release in 2023, he’s already voiced characters in 14 other projects, solidifying his place as a leading voice actor in the industry.

The actor’s career didn’t always have this level of success. Before landing the role in Final Fantasy 16, he’d only appeared in three games, and those were smaller roles. His portrayal of Clive Rosfield has clearly made a huge impact – many Final Fantasy fans now consider Clive to be one of the best characters in the entire series. That single role completely transformed the opportunities available to him, and continues to do so.

Before Final Fantasy 16, Ben Starr Was Still Waiting for His Breakout

While Ben Starr is now well-known for his work in Final Fantasy 16, he built his career gradually. He started by taking on smaller voice acting roles to gain experience, rather than committing to major characters. This was because he was primarily focused on television work at the time, with recurring roles as Captain James Hawdon in Dickensian and Dr. Christopher Priestley in Jamestown. He fit video game voice work in around his filming schedule for those shows.

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Ben Starr’s Three Roles Before Final Fantasy 16

  • Company of Heroes 2 (2013) – Additional Voices
  • Quantum Break (2016) – Additional Voices
  • A Way Out (2018) – Additional Voices

Although Starr’s background in television suggests finding work wasn’t a struggle, his limited gaming credits might imply otherwise. It appears he deliberately focused on other opportunities. However, despite his career goals, Square Enix unexpectedly cast him in Final Fantasy 16 – a role he didn’t even have to audition for.

Ben Starr Originally Auditioned for a Much Smaller Role in Final Fantasy 16

Clive Rosfield from Final Fantasy 16 is a protagonist who truly stands out. He’s a genuinely kind character who feels incredibly real, and his story is one of the most compelling in Final Fantasy history. A huge part of what makes him so memorable is Ben Starr’s exceptional voice acting. He brought Clive to life with believable emotion, seamlessly handling both quiet, intimate scenes and intense, dramatic moments. Starr’s authentic performance made Clive’s personality and feelings truly resonate. Interestingly, he wasn’t originally intended to play the role, and the part wasn’t even on his radar.

I was so surprised to learn how Starr ended up with his role in Final Fantasy 16! Apparently, Square Enix had a specific vision for him, and they just offered him the part – he didn’t even have to audition! It’s wild to think he initially tried to steer his career in a different direction, but the game had other plans for him.

In an interview with DLBTAP, Ben Starr revealed he initially auditioned for a minor role in Final Fantasy 16. However, during the audition, he was asked to read for something else entirely. To his surprise, just four days later, he learned he’d been cast as Clive Rosfield, the game’s main character. “I went in expecting a small part,” Starr said, “but they asked me to read for something different on the spot. It turned out to be the lead role!”

Ben Starr Rose to Stardom After Final Fantasy 16

Ben Starr’s career as a gaming actor unexpectedly skyrocketed after his memorable performance in Final Fantasy 16. What likely felt like just another role turned out to be a turning point, quickly making him a well-known voice in the industry. He’s already appeared in 14 other games and continues to take on new projects.

Ben Starr’s Fourteen Roles After Final Fantasy 16

  • Arknights (2023) – Sharp
  • Atlas Fallen (2024) – Gauntlet Bearer (Male)
  • Warframe: 1999 (2024) – Arthur Nightingale
  • Tekken 8 (2024) – Clive Rosfield
  • Hades 2 (2025) – Prometheus
  • The First Berserker: Khazan (2025) – Khazan
  • Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (2025) – Verso
  • Date Everything! (2025) – Dorian
  • Dead Take (2025) – Vinny Monroe
  • Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles (2025) – Count Dycedarg Beoulve
  • Marathon (2026) – Durandal
  • Earth Must Die (2026) – Enforcer Krall
  • Fortnite (2026) – The Visitor
  • Solasta 2 (2026 Early Access) – Rickard Colwall

Starr’s biggest opportunities came about a year after the release of Final Fantasy 16. That’s when game developers noticed his talent and how well he performed. Suddenly, he went from being relatively unknown to landing major roles in popular games. He’s now the voice of important characters like Verso in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Khazan in The First Berserker: Khazan, and Prometheus in Hades 2 – all central to their games’ stories. Like his role as Clive in Final Fantasy 16, these characters demand a lot of emotional range, and developers trust Starr to deliver. This is a significant change from his position before 2023.

Ben Starr quickly became a well-known voice actor after his memorable role in Final Fantasy 16. He’s already appeared in 14 other games and continues to take on new projects.

Before starring in Final Fantasy 16, Ben Starr hadn’t had many prominent roles in games. Now, he’s consistently being cast as a central character, not just a supporting one. This level of success typically takes years to achieve, but for Starr, it happened quickly, following a standout performance. It’s an unusual career shift, and it signals he’ll continue to be a rising presence in the gaming world.

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2026-04-11 16:05