# Colleen Clinkenbeard

**Colleen Clinkenbeard** (full name Colleen Smith Clinkenbeard; born 1980) is an American voice actress, ADR director, line producer, and script writer based in Dallas, Texas, best known as the English voice of [Monkey D. Luffy](https://www.edgepedia.org/monkey-d-luffy) in *One Piece* and as the ADR director of the *My Hero Academia* dub. She has worked at [Funimation](https://www.edgepedia.org/funimation) and OkraTron 5000, where she has directed, produced, and written for English dubs of Japanese animation.<sup>[1](https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=20342)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[2](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/colleen-clinkenbeard/bio/3030180294/)</sup>

| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1980; hometown Colleyville, Texas; residence Dallas, Texas<sup>[1](https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=20342)</sup> |
| Training | BFA in Acting from Florida State University; originally aimed at a New York soap opera career before joining the Dallas voice acting scene<sup>[3](https://marycollins.com/talent/colleen-clinkenbeard/)</sup> |
| Acting debut | Éclair in *Kiddy Grade*<sup>[2](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/colleen-clinkenbeard/bio/3030180294/)</sup> |
| Signature roles | Monkey D. Luffy (*One Piece*), Erza Scarlet (*Fairy Tail*), Riza Hawkeye (*Fullmetal Alchemist*), Momo Yaoyorozu (*My Hero Academia*), Kid Gohan, Android 18, and Mai (*Dragon Ball Z Kai*), Hana (*Wolf Children*), Akito (*Fruits Basket*, 2019)<sup>[4](https://sacanime.com/colleen-clinkenbeard/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[5](https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Colleen-Clinkenbeard/)</sup> |
| Output | More than 300 roles in anime and video games; 39 titles as voice director<sup>[6](https://www.slashfilm.com/1082875/voice-actor-colleen-clinkenbeard-on-voicing-one-pieces-monkey-d-luffy-for-15-years-exclusive-interview/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[7](https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/voice-directors/Colleen-Clinkenbeard/)</sup> |
| Studio roles | Has worked as a line producer, script writer, and ADR director at Funimation/OkraTron 5000<sup>[2](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/colleen-clinkenbeard/bio/3030180294/)</sup> |
| Recognition | Behind the Voice Actors People's Choice award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in Anime as Luffy, dated 2012 by ANN and 2011 by TV Guide<sup>[1](https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=20342)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[2](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/colleen-clinkenbeard/bio/3030180294/)</sup> |

## Early life and education

Clinkenbeard was born in 1980. [Anime News Network](https://www.edgepedia.org/anime-news-network) lists her hometown as Colleyville, Texas, her residence as Dallas, and ties to [Shreveport, Louisiana](https://www.edgepedia.org/shreveport-louisiana).<sup>[1](https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=20342)</sup> She trained as an actor, earning a BFA in Acting from [Florida State University](https://www.edgepedia.org/florida-state-university). The plan, according to her talent agency's biography, was to move to New York and pursue soap opera acting; instead she fell in love with the Dallas voice acting scene and stayed.<sup>[3](https://marycollins.com/talent/colleen-clinkenbeard/)</sup>

She came to anime without being a fan. In an interview with [The Mary Sue](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-mary-sue) she said she did not know what anime was until she met the voice actress [Laura Bailey](https://www.edgepedia.org/laura-bailey), her roommate and friend; the two watched *Fruits Basket*, which became Clinkenbeard's first anime, and then *[Kodocha](https://www.edgepedia.org/kodocha)*, which she would go on to direct.<sup>[8](https://www.themarysue.com/colleen-clinkenbeard-anime-voice-acting-interview/)</sup>

## Voice acting career

Her acting debut was voicing Éclair, a main character, in *Kiddy Grade*.<sup>[2](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/colleen-clinkenbeard/bio/3030180294/)</sup> From there she built a catalog of more than 300 roles in anime and video games.<sup>[6](https://www.slashfilm.com/1082875/voice-actor-colleen-clinkenbeard-on-voicing-one-pieces-monkey-d-luffy-for-15-years-exclusive-interview/)</sup> [TV Guide](https://www.edgepedia.org/tv-guide) describes her type as young boys or strong-willed women, a range that covers both ends of her best-known casting.<sup>[2](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/colleen-clinkenbeard/bio/3030180294/)</sup>

**Signature roles.** She has voiced Monkey D. Luffy in *One Piece* for 15 years as of her 2023 SlashFilm interview, Kid Gohan, Android 18, and Mai in *Dragon Ball Z Kai*, Momo Yaoyorozu in *My Hero Academia*, Erza in *Fairy Tail*, Riza Hawkeye in *Fullmetal Alchemist*, Hana in *Wolf Children*, and Akito in the 2019 *Fruits Basket*.<sup>[4](https://sacanime.com/colleen-clinkenbeard/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[6](https://www.slashfilm.com/1082875/voice-actor-colleen-clinkenbeard-on-voicing-one-pieces-monkey-d-luffy-for-15-years-exclusive-interview/)</sup> Behind the Voice Actors singles out Erza Scarlet, Luffy, and Riza Hawkeye as the roles she is known for, and hosts 412 character images and 27 performance clips for her.<sup>[5](https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Colleen-Clinkenbeard/)</sup> In her own account, Hana, Akito, and Hawkeye are the roles that carried the deepest emotional weight.<sup>[8](https://www.themarysue.com/colleen-clinkenbeard-anime-voice-acting-interview/)</sup> She was also cast as Nanako Hasegawa in *[SK8 the Infinity](https://www.edgepedia.org/sk8-the-infinity)*.<sup>[8](https://www.themarysue.com/colleen-clinkenbeard-anime-voice-acting-interview/)</sup>

## Voice directing and studio roles

Anime News Network credits her as ADR director and line producer on *Kiddy Grade* episodes 16 to 24, and as ADR director on *Kodocha* and *MoonPhase*, with ADR direction and line producing on *[The Legend of the Legendary Heroes](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-legend-of-the-legendary-heroes)* episodes 1 to 4. She was line producer on *Negima!*, *Negima!?*, *Murder Princess*, *Nabari no Ou*, and *Ōkami-san & Her Seven Companions*.<sup>[1](https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=20342)</sup> She directed the 2004 English dub of *Fullmetal Alchemist*, and her other directing credits include *Steins;Gate*, *Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt*, *Black Butler*, *Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle*, and *xxxHolic*.<sup>[6](https://www.slashfilm.com/1082875/voice-actor-colleen-clinkenbeard-on-voicing-one-pieces-monkey-d-luffy-for-15-years-exclusive-interview/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[4](https://sacanime.com/colleen-clinkenbeard/)</sup>

**My Hero Academia.** ANN credits her as ADR director across TV seasons 2 through 6 (with partial coverage of season 2, episodes 14 to 29 and 32 to 38, and an assistant ADR director credit on episode 31) and on the ONA, plus the films *Two Heroes*, *Heroes: Rising*, and *World Heroes' Mission*.<sup>[1](https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=20342)</sup> As of 2020 she held both jobs on the franchise at once, voicing Momo Yaoyorozu while directing the dub of the series and the *Heroes Rising* film, a combination Variety profiled in its coverage of the film's English release.<sup>[9](https://variety.com/2020/film/features/my-hero-academia-heroes-rising-english-dub-colleen-clickenbeard-1203519339/)</sup>

**Shift toward producing.** In recent years producing has taken over her schedule. She told SlashFilm that *My Hero Academia* is the only show she directs and that she expects it to be her last directing project, because producing occupies most of her time.<sup>[6](https://www.slashfilm.com/1082875/voice-actor-colleen-clinkenbeard-on-voicing-one-pieces-monkey-d-luffy-for-15-years-exclusive-interview/)</sup> ANN credits her as producer on *Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation II* and its *Guardian Fitz* special (ADR producer), and as assistant producer on *Love Live! Superstar!!* and *number24*.<sup>[1](https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=20342)</sup> She described the change to The Mary Sue: "Nowadays most of my time is spent producing, so it's a luxury when I get to direct or act and flex the creative muscle a bit."<sup>[8](https://www.themarysue.com/colleen-clinkenbeard-anime-voice-acting-interview/)</sup>

**Approach to dubbing.** In the Variety interview she discussed staying authentic to the Japanese script while balancing cultural differences for English-speaking audiences.<sup>[9](https://variety.com/2020/film/features/my-hero-academia-heroes-rising-english-dub-colleen-clickenbeard-1203519339/)</sup> She has also described how the work has changed: directing the 2004 *Fullmetal Alchemist* dub was a different experience because there were no simul-dubs then, and directors did not have the same relationship with fans that they do now.<sup>[6](https://www.slashfilm.com/1082875/voice-actor-colleen-clinkenbeard-on-voicing-one-pieces-monkey-d-luffy-for-15-years-exclusive-interview/)</sup> Early on, she said, it took time to get used to directing herself and to trust other actors, so that a project would encompass many different voices rather than sounding homogenous.<sup>[8](https://www.themarysue.com/colleen-clinkenbeard-anime-voice-acting-interview/)</sup>

## By the numbers

The quantifiable shape of her career, drawn from databases and interviews:

- More than 300 acting roles in anime and video games.<sup>[6](https://www.slashfilm.com/1082875/voice-actor-colleen-clinkenbeard-on-voicing-one-pieces-monkey-d-luffy-for-15-years-exclusive-interview/)</sup>
- 39 titles as voice director across TV shows, movies, shorts, and video games, per Behind the Voice Actors.<sup>[7](https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/voice-directors/Colleen-Clinkenbeard/)</sup>
- 15 years voicing Monkey D. Luffy as of 2023.<sup>[6](https://www.slashfilm.com/1082875/voice-actor-colleen-clinkenbeard-on-voicing-one-pieces-monkey-d-luffy-for-15-years-exclusive-interview/)</sup>
- *My Hero Academia* directing tenure spanning five TV seasons (season 2 partially) and three theatrical films.<sup>[1](https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=20342)</sup>
- 412 cataloged character images on Behind the Voice Actors.<sup>[5](https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Colleen-Clinkenbeard/)</sup>

## How it compares with her peers

Clinkenbeard's profile within the Texas dubbing scene combines three functions, acting, directing, and producing. On *My Hero Academia* she has done all three at once.<sup>[4](https://sacanime.com/colleen-clinkenbeard/)</sup> By contrast, she described Anthony Bowling, the ADR director of the *One Piece* dub and *One Piece Film: Red*, as running a different kind of job: "He stepped into a show hundreds of episodes long and went back to research what all had happened before," work she said she was not sure she could do and respects completely.<sup>[6](https://www.slashfilm.com/1082875/voice-actor-colleen-clinkenbeard-on-voicing-one-pieces-monkey-d-luffy-for-15-years-exclusive-interview/)</sup>

## Recognition and public presence

For voicing Monkey D. Luffy in *One Piece*, she earned the Behind the Voice Actors People's Choice award as Best Actress in a Leading Role in Anime. Sources disagree on the year: Anime News Network dates it to 2012, TV Guide to 2011.<sup>[1](https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=20342)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[2](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/colleen-clinkenbeard/bio/3030180294/)</sup>

She appeared on the convention circuit as a listed guest at SacAnime Winter 2024, where her bio noted she was producing, directing, and acting in *My Hero Academia*.<sup>[4](https://sacanime.com/colleen-clinkenbeard/)</sup> Outside anime, her agency lists commercial voiceover work for Ford, T-Mobile, and J.C. Penney across radio, TV, and industrial VO, plus [Cartoon Network](https://www.edgepedia.org/cartoon-network) series work including a role in *I Love You, Mao Mao*.<sup>[3](https://marycollins.com/talent/colleen-clinkenbeard/)</sup>

## Selected filmography

**Acting**

- Éclair, *Kiddy Grade* (acting debut)<sup>[2](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/colleen-clinkenbeard/bio/3030180294/)</sup>
- Monkey D. Luffy, *One Piece*<sup>[4](https://sacanime.com/colleen-clinkenbeard/)</sup>
- Kid Gohan, Android 18, and Mai, *Dragon Ball Z Kai*<sup>[4](https://sacanime.com/colleen-clinkenbeard/)</sup>
- Riza Hawkeye, *Fullmetal Alchemist*<sup>[4](https://sacanime.com/colleen-clinkenbeard/)</sup>
- Erza, *Fairy Tail*<sup>[4](https://sacanime.com/colleen-clinkenbeard/)</sup>
- Momo Yaoyorozu, *My Hero Academia*<sup>[9](https://variety.com/2020/film/features/my-hero-academia-heroes-rising-english-dub-colleen-clickenbeard-1203519339/)</sup>
- Hana, *Wolf Children*; Akito, *Fruits Basket* (2019)<sup>[4](https://sacanime.com/colleen-clinkenbeard/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[8](https://www.themarysue.com/colleen-clinkenbeard-anime-voice-acting-interview/)</sup>
- Nanako Hasegawa, *SK8 the Infinity*<sup>[8](https://www.themarysue.com/colleen-clinkenbeard-anime-voice-acting-interview/)</sup>

**Directing and producing**

- ADR director/line producer, *Kiddy Grade* (eps 16-24); ADR director, *Kodocha*, *MoonPhase*<sup>[1](https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=20342)</sup>
- ADR director, *Fullmetal Alchemist* (2004), *Steins;Gate*, *Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt*, *Black Butler*, *Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle*, *xxxHolic*<sup>[6](https://www.slashfilm.com/1082875/voice-actor-colleen-clinkenbeard-on-voicing-one-pieces-monkey-d-luffy-for-15-years-exclusive-interview/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[4](https://sacanime.com/colleen-clinkenbeard/)</sup>
- ADR director, *My Hero Academia* TV 2-6 and ONA; films *Two Heroes*, *Heroes: Rising*, *World Heroes' Mission*<sup>[1](https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=20342)</sup>
- Line producer, *Negima!*, *Negima!?*, *Murder Princess*, *Nabari no Ou*, *Ōkami-san & Her Seven Companions*<sup>[1](https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=20342)</sup>
- Producer, *Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation II*; ADR producer, *Guardian Fitz* special; assistant producer, *Love Live! Superstar!!*, *number24*<sup>[1](https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=20342)</sup>

## References

1. [Colleen CLINKENBEARD, Anime News Network Encyclopedia](https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=20342)
2. [Colleen Clinkenbeard Biography, TV Guide](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/colleen-clinkenbeard/bio/3030180294/)
3. [Colleen Clinkenbeard, Mary Collins Agency](https://marycollins.com/talent/colleen-clinkenbeard/)
4. [Colleen Clinkenbeard, SacAnime Winter 2024 guest bio](https://sacanime.com/colleen-clinkenbeard/)
5. [Colleen Clinkenbeard, Behind The Voice Actors](https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Colleen-Clinkenbeard/)
6. [Voice Actor Colleen Clinkenbeard On Voicing One Piece's Monkey D. Luffy For 15 Years, SlashFilm (2023)](https://www.slashfilm.com/1082875/voice-actor-colleen-clinkenbeard-on-voicing-one-pieces-monkey-d-luffy-for-15-years-exclusive-interview/)
7. [Colleen Clinkenbeard (Voice Director), Behind The Voice Actors](https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/voice-directors/Colleen-Clinkenbeard/)
8. [Interview With Anime Voice Actress Colleen Clinkenbeard, The Mary Sue](https://www.themarysue.com/colleen-clinkenbeard-anime-voice-acting-interview/)
9. ['My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising': English Dub ADR Director Interview, Variety (2020)](https://variety.com/2020/film/features/my-hero-academia-heroes-rising-english-dub-colleen-clickenbeard-1203519339/)

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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Voice performers › American voice performers › Animation and cartoon voice actors*

*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*

*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*

License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license