The voice behind the charismatic and often chaotic President in Rick and Morty belongs to a legendary actor you have definitely heard before. Keith David is the talent giving life to President Andre Curtis, a role he has played since 2015. Fans received major news about the character in July 2025, when Adult Swim announced at San Diego Comic-Con that David’s President is getting his own self-titled spinoff series.
The actor, celebrated for his deep, commanding voice, brings a unique presence to the show, often serving as a frustrated yet determined counterpart to Rick Sanchez’s anarchic genius.
The Man Behind the Voice: Who Is Keith David?
Keith David is an American actor with a career spanning over four decades in film, television, and voice acting. Born on June 4, 1956, he is a classically trained graduate of the prestigious Juilliard School. His rich bass voice has become one of his most recognizable assets, leading to iconic roles across animation and narration.
Beyond Rick and Morty, David’s voice is instantly familiar for many other beloved characters. He is the voice of Dr. Facilier, the smooth-talking villain from Disney’s The Princess and the Frog. He also portrayed Goliath in the 1990s series Gargoyles and the demon Spawn in the HBO animated series. For documentary fans, his voice is prominent in multiple Ken Burns films, including The War and Muhammad Ali, work for which he has won multiple Emmy Awards.
His live-action work is equally impressive, with roles in films like **John Carpenter’s *The Thing, **Oliver Stone’s *Platoon, and Jordan Peele’s Nope. On television, he starred as Bishop James Greenleaf in the Oprah Winfrey Network drama Greenleaf. This vast and varied career explains why the President’s voice carries such natural authority and gravitas, even when the character is at his most comically inept.
President Curtis: From Guest Star to Spinoff Lead
President Andre Curtis first appeared in the Rick and Morty Season 2 episode “Get Schwifty” in 2015. Initially a generic stand-in for the sitting U.S. President, the character evolved over time. He was later written to reflect a more “cartoonishly bad” leader, influenced by the political climate during Donald Trump’s campaign and presidency.
The character’s full name, Andre Curtis, was not revealed until the show’s seventh season. He shares a complex, love-hate relationship with Rick Sanchez. The President frequently calls on Rick and Morty to handle intergalactic threats to national security, only to later try to have them arrested or declare war on them when they refuse to obey his orders. This dynamic has made him a memorable and fan-favorite recurring character.
“He’s the only person in the multiverse who can go toe-to-toe with Rick and still hold office,” said Rick and Morty co-creator Dan Harmon and executive producer James Siciliano in a joint statement about the new series.
The announcement for President Curtis, the spinoff series, was made at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2025. The show will be co-created by Dan Harmon and James Siciliano and will follow the President and his staff as they deal with various crises, including interdimensional diplomacy and paranormal investigations. Keith David will, of course, reprise his role.
Where Else You’ve Heard Keith David’s Iconic Voice
Keith David’s filmography includes hundreds of roles. His voice work extends far beyond a single character. Here are some other places you’ve almost certainly heard him:
- Video Games: He is the voice of Captain David Anderson in the Mass Effect trilogy and the Arbiter in the Halo series. He also voices Commander Zavala in Destiny 2, a role he took over in 2024.
- Animation: He voiced the Flame King in Adventure Time and King Andrias in Amphibia. More recently, he joined the cast of Hazbin Hotel as the character Husk.
- Commercials and Narration: For years, David was the voice for UPS television commercials with the slogan “What Can Brown Do for You?”. His documentary narration for filmmakers like Ken Burns has earned him three Emmy Awards.
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The upcoming President Curtis spinoff will also feature a supporting voice cast including Stephanie Beatriz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) and Jim Rash (Community). A specific premiere date for the new series has not yet been announced.
Also Read: Degrassi Cast Guide: Who Played Who on The Next Generation
