Cheryl Chase [Interview]

Hello Folks! Today we have another wonderful interview to share with you all. We have the absolutely legendary voice over & on screen actress Cheryl Chase with us! Chase has famously provided the voice of a young woman who may have very well defined a generation. Yes, for a lot of us 90’s kids (and beyond) Cheryl’s voice over work as Angelica Pickles in Rugrats has been as haunting and respectable to our ears as they come. She’s been mean, compassionate, adorable, and frankly misunderstood over the years. You knew she was good at heart, but you could always rely on her to do some very messed up things as the overboss type character in the series. At times you loved to hate her, others you learned to love her so much. Of course all of this is reflective on the character of Angelica themself, and not of Chase personally. But, when you are one of the most obvious voices of a generation, it has to become a part of you in some way, right?

Cheryl has had an incredible career in the world of film and television that extends far beyond the world of Rugrats, which will be discussed in her wonderful answers below. She is a damn fine human being and has some incredible insight to share with the world. She is also a children’s book author which is not only fitting but exciting! We are so excited to follow along with her career as it continues to flourish and impress the world, and we hope that you will do the same.

So Folks, please enjoy some incredible words from the wildly talented and incredibly cool Cheryl Chase! Enjoy!

******

What inspired you to get into the world of entertainment? Was it something you had wanted to do since your youth? Or did you happen to find yourself in this world one day?

My grandmother, Julia was an actress on the stage and she and my grandfather used to run a small hotel that housed Vaudevillians when they’d come to perform in their town of Hazleton, PA. My father was a musician in a traveling orchestra where he played the trombone. I guess its in my blood to perform. As a child I always tried to make people laugh and mimic funny voices and perform and put on little plays with my friends so yes, I guess it’s in my blood.

What was your first paid gig in the world of entertainment? And were there any lessons learned from the experience that still affects your work to date?

I don’t remember off hand what my first gig was, but I remember in the early days one gig was where I was the voice for the baby in Baby Boom with Diane Keaton. Also, I played a Martian girl opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in Total Recall. Lessons learned…just do the best you can and be ready for anything that comes your way.

You have famously voiced the wonderful Angelica Pickles, and more, in the legendary animated series Rugrats, and you, are incredible at it. I am curious to know what it is like to be a part of something so notoriously popular and has so much longevity? What have fan interactions been over the years?

It has been a major blessing to be a part of such a global phenomenon. To make such an imprint on so many people. It is such a privilege to meet the now grown up fans who say that I was “their childhood.”

Another series that you worked on is one that is near and dear to my heart. And that series was Ren and Stimpy. I still hold this amazing series in high regard. With that, how was your experience in working on this delightfully silly series? And what are your thoughts on the legacy that it has left behind?

I was part of the production team besides doing voice work. I was a receptionist then later promoted to casting coordinator. I remember auditioning Tom Kenny (Sponge Bob) for Ren. During the production, before it premiered I also remember that we were sitting on something special. I knew this before the general public knew and it was kinda cool.

If you were handed the opportunity to star in the biopic of any legendary figure in American history, who would it be?

Helen Kane, the original Boop Boop A Doop Girl. In the 20’s, she was successful in Vaudeville that led her to be a promising musical comedy star at Paramount Studios. Her career was cut short by the success of Fleischer’s Betty Boop animated series. I used to perform as Helen Kane in a 20’s orchestra back in the 90’s. It would be fun to do it in film.

What does the future hold for you? Anything you would like to plug to our readers?

I love doing my voice over work, but, also I am a children’s picture book author. I have my first book being published and coming out next year.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

My little bunny rabbit, Sophie…when she yawns, it always make me smile.