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Photo Credit: Michael Roud Photography

Adam McArthur plays Marco Diaz on Disney XD’s animated series Star vs. The Forces of Evil, the best friend and partner of Star as they venture forth on their adventures. He has also voiced Mon Cala Prince Lee-Char during season 4 of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. We got a chance to chat with McArthur about how he came to be interested in the entertainment industry, who Marco Diaz is in Star vs. The Forces of Evil, and whether or not he would be up for using his martial arts skills in a Marvel film. The first four episodes of  Season 3 of Star vs. The Forces of Evil were released on Disney XD. The remaining episodes of the season will air in November 2017.

Legion of Leia: Sometimes college experiences can influence our career aspirations and goals. How did your experience at Pepperdine University influence your plans for your career in the entertainment industry?

Adam McArthur: I knew long before I went to Pepperdine that I wanted to be in entertainment! I used my time at Pepperdine as a means to get myself established in LA without having to just move here to be an actor. It helped bridge the gap of leaving home to pursue my dreams and being on my own. It eased me into LA all the while helping me make lifelong friendships and a great support system.

Legion of Leia: What was your gateway into voice acting?

Adam McArthur: I’ve always wanted to be an actor! I begged my parents to put me in acting class when I was a kid. When I was 16 I finally got my first opportunity at a place called Kids on Camera in San Francisco. About 2 months later I booked my first paying voice over job and I’ve been making a living in entertainment ever since!

Legion of Leia: For viewers new to your show Star vs. The Forces of Evil, can you give a brief overview of who Marco Diaz is?

Adam McArthur: Of course! Marco Diaz is a misunderstood bad boy who’s life changes forever when a magical princess from another dimension, Star Butterfly, moves into his house. He and Star become fast friends and then a bunch of crazy stuff goes down and nothing will ever be the same. You know…typical kid show stuff.

Legion of Leia: How do you think Marco has changed over the past three seasons of Star vs. The Forces of Evil?

Adam McArthur: We’ve seen Marco grow from a timid “safe kid,” to a young man who will do anything to protect his best friend, even if that means throwing himself into perilous danger or crazy adventure. He’s grown up in a lot of ways and I’m super excited for everyone to see what else is to come!

Legion of Leia: You’ve worked on a couple of high profile projects. Between Star Wars: Clone Wars and Star vs. The Forces of Evil, what would you say were the biggest lessons you’ve learned while working on these projects?

Adam McArthur: Going in loose and warmed up and ready to play and have fun. You never know what will be thrown at you in a voice session. Having an open mind and being ready to create are what come to mind!

Legion of Leia: You have an extensive background in martial arts, especially wushu kungfu. With the superhero genre and the action genre being so popular, how would you feel about utilizing your skills in these genres?

Adam McArthur: OH MAN. Yes… all the yes. Put me in coach I’m ready to play. (In case you couldn’t tell, I’d so be down.) You hear that Marvel Universe? I’m here! Use me!

Legion of Leia: What advice would you give to anyone interested in voice acting or acting in general? What areas do you think are more important to focus on?

Adam McArthur: I would tell anyone interested in beginning a voice acting career to check out a website called iwanttobeavoiceactor.com. It was created by the amazingly talented Dee Bradley Baker and has TONS of info about anything and everything voice acting career related. Read everything!

For acting in general, get into a class that’s specific to what you want to do whether it be theater, on-camera, or VO.

Legion of Leia: What other projects can we expect to see you in?

Adam McArthur: New episodes of Star vs. Evil are coming and I’ll be voicing some characters in the new Far Cry 5. Of course there’s a whole laundry list of things I’m not yet able to talk about. But, stay tuned! Fun stuff coming.


If you want to receive updates on Adam McArthur’s work or just want to get to know him, follow his Twitter handle here and follow him getting all crazy and silly on Instagram here.

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Sarah Musnicky

Sarah is a freelance writer and self-described workaholic. She loves fantasy and sci fi and will admit having dual loyalties between Star Trek and Star Wars as well as Marvel and DC. When she's not being socially awkward, she is in a corner obsessing over dragons, cute things, and a need to master all languages on the planet. She would like to be a professional blanket burrito when she reaches the peak of maturation.