Longtime Beast Boy voice actor Greg Cipes has publicly accused Warner Bros. Animation of firing him from Teen Titans Go! just one day after he revealed his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis. The actor, who voiced the character for over two decades across multiple DC animated projects, described the termination as a “death” and called on fans to help him reclaim the role. Warner Bros. sources counter that the decision was based on creative and performance issues, not discrimination, and that the studio offered him a new role and development deal.
“Warner Brothers literally fired me on Valentine’s Day right after I publicly shared my Parkinson’s diagnosis,” Cipes wrote on Instagram. “It’s like a death to me that only the fans can bring back to life.”
What Happened: Timeline of a Controversy
Greg Cipes first voiced Beast Boy in the original Teen Titans series in 2003 and continued in the role through all nine seasons of Teen Titans Go!, as well as projects like Young Justice and Beast Boy: Lone Wolf. In early 2025, Cipes publicly shared his diagnosis of early-onset Parkinson’s disease.
According to Cipes, he was fired on February 14, 2025—the day after his diagnosis went public. He claims he was required to audition three times to continue as Beast Boy while the other original cast members were automatically renewed. The rest of the Titans cast—Scott Menville (Robin), Khary Payton (Cyborg), Hynden Walch (Starfire), and Tara Strong (Raven)—reportedly advocated for him, arguing the show would not be the same without him.
However, sources close to Warner Bros. Animation tell a different story. They claim producers approached Cipes about stepping down from the role due to performance issues unrelated to his health. The studio allegedly offered to create a new character for him to voice and began negotiations with his agent for a development deal to keep him involved in the franchise. Insiders state Cipes has already recorded dialogue for this new role in Teen Titans Go! Season 10.
Fan Reaction and Industry Backlash
The allegations triggered immediate backlash online. DC superfan Emmanuel Newsome, who first shared the news on Instagram, announced plans to create a petition for Cipes’ reinstatement. Fans rallied under hashtags like #SaveBeastBoy, accusing Warner Bros. of discrimination and urging DC Studios head James Gunn to intervene.
“Hey @jamesgunn since teen titans go falls under elseworlds the fans need your help,” Newsome wrote. “Greg told me he has been discriminated against because of his Parkinson’s and they are trying to steal his voice and replace him with a mimic.”
The controversy arrives at a sensitive time for Warner Bros. Discovery, as its DC Studios division under Gunn and Peter Safran works to rebuild trust with fans following recent franchise reboots. The situation also highlights broader concerns about workplace protections for actors with health conditions in the animation industry.
Inconsistent Narratives and Legal Implications
The timeline of events remains unclear. Despite claiming he was fired in February, Cipes posted a video on Instagram on April 11, 2025, thanking Warner Bros. for their support:
“I wanted to take a moment to thank Warner Bros. The studio’s totally got my back. The cast got my back. You all got my back. And I got your back. Whether you have Parkinson’s or any other disease, just know that you’re never, ever alone.”
In the caption, he added, “Huge thanks to Warner Brothers for keeping me working as the Beast boy I created for 25 years and throughout all this challenging Parkinson’s health stuff.”
This contradiction has led some industry observers to question the accuracy of Cipes’ claims. However, advocates emphasize that U.S. employment law prohibits firing someone solely due to a medical condition, and Parkinson’s qualifies as a protected disability. If Cipes pursues legal action, the case could set a precedent for how studios handle talent with health issues.
The Future of Beast Boy and Teen Titans Go!
Teen Titans Go! has been a major success for Cartoon Network, with 426 episodes produced since 2013, along with TV specials and a feature film. The show has earned three Emmy nominations and remains a staple of the network’s programming.
With Cipes reportedly out as Beast Boy, Warner Bros. will need to recast the role for Season 10. No successor has been announced yet, but sources suggest the studio seeks a voice actor who can closely match Cipes’ distinctive performance. The recast risks alienating longtime fans who associate Cipes’ portrayal with the character.
As of now, Warner Bros. has not issued an official statement on the matter. The studio’s silence has only fueled further speculation and debate. Whether this situation results in a legal battle, a fan-driven reinstatement, or a quiet transition to a new voice actor, it underscores ongoing tensions between creative business decisions and ethical treatment of talent in the entertainment industry.
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Credits: Variety, SuperheroHype, The Wrap
