Peering into the mind of Rugrats Movie Director Charlie Adler is like taking a ride through Toon Town. At every twist and turn of this superstar’s imagination live some of the world’s most famous animated characters.
While you may not recognize Charlie’s face, only a cable-less cave dweller would not know the many personalities he has brought to life with his voice and off-the-wall sense of humor.
Charlie has more than 100 regular characters in over 80 animated television series, features and specials. His voice can be heard an average of 20 times a day all over the world. Among the many personalities living free of charge in his head are: all of the stars from the Cartoon Channel’s Emmy nominated Cow & Chicken show, Buster Bunny from Steven Spielberg’s Tiny Toon Adventures, Ickis from AAAHH!! Real Monsters and Ed and Bev Bighead from Rocco’s Modern Life.
Of all the wacky images Charlie brings to life, the two main characters that shape his world are Gus, a Briard mix and Roddy, part Pit Bull, and part something else.
“I truly love my dogs,” Charlie says. “They bring so much into my life?comfort, friendship, companionship and protection. During the day, I deal with all kinds of people and situations that can be mentally and physically taxing. Theshn I come home to these amazing beings who just love you because you’re you. I can’t imagine my life without them.”
Before Roddy and Gus came into Charlie’s life, there was Sophie, another Briard mix. During their time together, she was the light of his life. “Sophie was such a wonderful dog,” Charlie recalls while gazing at her picture. “In fact, it was her spirit that guided me to the shelter where I found the dogs I have now.”
In addition to companionship and guidance, Roddy, Gus and Sophie have all been a great source of inspiration for Charlie in creating his animated characters. “Half of the character of Cow came from conversations I’ve had with Sophie,” says Charlie. “I used to speak as Sophie for Sophie. She was very demure and that’s how I created that particular voice. And Roddy keeps Cow alive. He’ll be on the sofa and I’ll lay this voice on him, and his reaction tells me that I’m right on the money with the character I’ve created.”
Charlie is more than simply the Supreme High Nurgle of animated actors. He is also one of the most sought after directors in the business. His credits include the previously mentioned Rugrats movie, The Wild Thornberry’s with Tim Curry and The Brothers Flub which will premiere this fall on Nickelodeon. Charlie will also be directing the sequel to the Rugrats movie coming soon to a theater near you.
After creating voices and directing movies, Charlie also finds time to teach a class for animated actor wannabes. He says that many of his first time students are stiff and have a difficult time finding a way to step out of themselves and into character.
“I always ask my students, don’t you have a dog or cat or a child in your life? Someone oshr something that when the doors are closed and no one’s around you look at and talk to in a goofy voice?, says Charlie. “For me, that’s a jumping off place when I create the voice for one of my animated characters.”
To get the real lowdown on Charlie, I went straight to one of his most beloved characters, Chicken of Chicken and Cow cartoon fame. I asked him what it was like to live with Charlie and he summed it up with his signature line, “KOOL!”
Terry Wilson is a freelance writer and television producer based in San Diego, CA.