If you have been watching the new Fox medical comedy Best Medicine, you might find yourself pointing at the screen when a certain character appears. The show, which premiered on January 6, 2026, introduces viewers to the quirky residents of a small East Coast fishing village . Among them is Burt Large, the town’s lovable but slightly chaotic handyman played by John DiMaggio .
That voice. That energy. That face. You know you have seen him before, and you are right. John DiMaggio has been a working actor for decades, and his face might be familiar, but his voice is absolutely iconic. Here is a breakdown of where you have seen—and definitely heard—the actor bringing Blaze (Burt Large) to life in Best Medicine.
The Voice Behind Some of Animation‘s Biggest Characters
For many viewers, the reason John DiMaggio looks so familiar is a bit of a trick. You recognize him because you have heard him thousands of times. DiMaggio is one of the most successful voice actors in the business, and he has voiced two of the most beloved characters in modern animation.
If you are an animation fan, you know him as the voice of Bender on Futurama. The shiny metal rear-end, beer-belching robot with a heart of gold (sometimes) is DiMaggio’s most famous role. He voiced Bender for the show‘s original run on Fox, the subsequent movies, and the revival series on Hulu. His delivery of Bender’s catchphrase, “Bite my shiny metal ass!” became a part of pop culture history.
If you have kids—or if you just love great animation—you also know him as the voice of Jake the Dog on the groundbreaking series Adventure Time. For ten seasons, DiMaggio provided the warm, goofy, and wise voice of Jake, the magical dog who could stretch his body into any shape. He brought a sense of fun and loyalty to the character that made him a favorite for audiences of all ages.
From Video Games to Batman: A Career of Iconic Voices
DiMaggio‘s voice work does not stop there. He is everywhere in the world of video games and superhero cartoons. He voiced Marcus Fenix, the main protagonist in the massively popular Gears of War video game series. For millions of gamers, his gruff, determined voice is synonymous with the fight against the Locust Horde.
In the world of DC Comics animation, he has voiced several characters, but his role as King Shark in the series Harley Quinn is a fan favorite. He brings a childlike innocence to the massive, man-eating shark man, creating some of the funniest moments in the show. He also voiced Aquaman in the same series .
His other voice credits are a long list of beloved shows. He has appeared in Kim Possible, The Penguins of Madagascar, Teen Titans Go!, and Samurai Jack. He even voiced characters in the English adaptations of anime classics like Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex.
Live-Action Roles You Might Recognize
While he is a giant in the voice-over world, DiMaggio has also appeared in live-action roles throughout his career. He often plays tough guys, blue-collar workers, or characters with a rough exterior but a soft inside—much like Burt Large in Best Medicine.
Long before he was a famous voice actor, he had small roles in TV shows. He appeared in an episode of NYPD Blue and The X-Files. He also had a small part in the cult classic film The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.
Fans of crime dramas might recognize him from his appearances on shows like Monk and Without a Trace. He also had a recurring role in the series The Shield, showing he could hold his own in gritty, live-action dramas.
John DiMaggio in Best Medicine
In Best Medicine, DiMaggio steps into the live-action spotlight in a big way. He plays Burt Large, a local handyman in the town of Port Wenn. According to the character description, Burt is enthusiastic but not always the most competent worker, and he often finds himself in over his head . His son, Al Large, played by Carter Shimp, is also a series regular, setting up a fun father-son dynamic in the town .
The role is a perfect fit for DiMaggio. He gets to use his natural, gruff-but-charming persona that fans have loved for years in his animated work. It is a chance for audiences to finally put a face to one of the most famous voices in entertainment.
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Meet the Rest of the Town
Best Medicine has assembled a strong cast to bring the American adaptation of the British hit Doc Martin to life. The show centers on Dr. Martin Best, played by Josh Charles (The Good Wife, Dead Poets Society), a brilliant surgeon who moves from Boston to a small fishing village and struggles to connect with the friendly but nosy locals .
He is joined by:
- Abigail Spencer (Timeless, Grey‘s Anatomy) as Louisa Glasson, a schoolteacher who clashes with Dr. Best .
- Annie Potts (Young Sheldon, Designing Women) as Aunt Joan, Martin’s strong-willed aunt who is a local lobster fisher .
- Josh Segarra (Scream, The Other Two) as Sheriff Mark Mylow, the town’s charming lawman .
- Didi Conn (the original Grease) as councilwoman Geneva Potter .
- A dog named Wattson plays Copernicus .
The series premiered on January 6, 2026, on Fox and is available for streaming the next day on Hulu . New episodes air on Tuesday nights .
So, the next time you watch Best Medicine and see Burt Large causing friendly chaos around Port Wenn, you can impress your friends by telling them exactly why he looks so familiar. He is the voice of a robot, a dog, a soldier, and now, a small-town handyman.
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