For decades, Nolan North has been one of the most celebrated and versatile performers in entertainment. His voice has shaped characters across more than 350 titles in games and animation, including Raphael in TMNT and Nathan Drake in the Uncharted series, which made him a household name. Yet in A Chuck E. Cheese Christmas, North steps into an entirely different kind of role as Jasper Jowls, and the result is something warm, funny and genuinely heartfelt.

Speaking with him was a joy. Not only does he truly understand the legacy of Chuck E. Cheese, but as someone who grew up loving the brand, it was special to talk with a performer who respects it just as much. And as a lifelong Ninja Turtles fan, getting to chat with the man who played Raphael felt like a personal victory. I never played Uncharted myself, but my dad did, so even that connection added a little extra charm to the conversation.

Reimagining Jasper Jowls for a New Generation

In this new holiday special, Jasper sheds some of his earlier, more exaggerated traits in favor of a grounded and clever take on the character. North explained that the creative team had a clear vision for what Jasper needed to be today. Instead of recreating the heavily accented version many remember from the old animatronics, the team opted for something fresh and more universally approachable.

“It is a different Jasper Jowls than I remember. The producers and directors had a real clear vision of what they wanted. He has kept that cynical, no nonsense attitude and I think a lot of me is in that,” North said.

Rather than leaning into a traditional cartoon voice, he played Jasper as the calm, observant member of the group who reacts to the chaos around him with dry humor. He described Jasper as “the straight shooter” and “the funny straight man” who picks his moments wisely.

Creating Ensemble Magic, Even at a Distance

Although the holiday special features a stacked cast including Grey DeLisle, Fred Tatasciore, Kari Wahlgren and Nathan Kress as Chuck E. Cheese, the actors recorded separately due to modern production practices. Even so, North said their long history of working together made the chemistry feel effortless.

“There is a shorthand you get when you work with people for this amount of time,” he said. He admitted he would have loved to record as a full ensemble, but praised director Steve Trenbirth for pulling everything together into a seamless final product.

He also compared the Chuck E. Cheese crew to another iconic ensemble he once joined.

“The four turtles in the TMNT movie were this main group. Chuck E. Cheese's gang are just as iconic,” he said.

As someone who grew up on the Turtles and still considers Raphael the best of the bunch, hearing North put Chuck E. Cheese in that same iconic space was surreal in the best way.

Finding the Heart of a Holiday Story

One of the reasons North enjoyed this project so much was the opportunity to approach Jasper without decades of baggage or expectations. With little preconceived notion of the character beyond visits to Chuck E. Cheese with his own kids, he felt free to explore.

“It was kind of a dream come true. I had a bit of a blank slate. It was just really falling into the character and trying to bring that to life,” he shared.

North is also a genuine fan of Christmas specials, which made his involvement in the project even more meaningful.

“I love Christmas. I love Christmas specials. I still watch the Rankin Bass stuff. It is nice to be part of something that hopefully will last for generations,” he said.

One of his favorite scenes showcases Jasper’s comedic charm. When the group panics about what to do, Jasper casually offers, “I’ll call Santa,” as if he has him in his phone already. North loved the idea of Jasper being the guy who always knows a guy, the one with a quiet but impressive Rolodex that he never brags about.

A Film That Respects Its Audience

Throughout our conversation, North emphasized how smart the writing is and how much he appreciates projects that do not talk down to kids. He pointed out that the best family entertainment works on multiple levels, giving children humor they understand while offering adults sly moments they can appreciate too.

“It is smart and funny. You have slapstick, you have craziness, but you have things that adults will enjoy too. It is nostalgic and humorous and heartfelt,” he said.

As a parent myself, this resonates deeply. The films and shows that treat kids with respect are the ones that stand the test of time. And North clearly believes this special belongs in that category.

A Special Release for a Special Season

When North learned that A Chuck E. Cheese Christmas would premiere on Thanksgiving, he immediately saw the appeal. He described Thanksgiving as the unofficial start of the holiday season and loved the idea of families gathering after dinner to watch something festive together.

“What a great idea. Something for the family to watch and start that holiday season,” he said.

For someone who is used to putting the Christmas tree up the weekend after Thanksgiving, even he felt this release timing was perfect.

A Personal Connection to a Cultural Landmark

More than anything, North’s affection for the project shines through when he talks about taking his own kids to Chuck E. Cheese years ago and creating family memories in the process.

“To bring these characters into this new generation, especially at this time of year, is really special for me,” he said.

And that is the heart of this holiday special. It bridges generations, celebrates nostalgia and introduces a classic cast of characters to families in a fresh way.

A Holiday Treat Worth Watching

Nolan North has built an extraordinary career by bringing depth and personality to every character he plays. Whether it is Raphael, Nathan Drake or now Jasper Jowls, he has a gift for finding truth and humor in any role. His work in A Chuck E. Cheese Christmas continues that legacy and brings something warm and genuine to the holiday season.