# Josh Keaton
**Josh Keaton** is the stage name of Joshua Luis Wiener (born 1979), an American voice actor, actor, singer, and music producer best known as the voice of Peter Parker and [Spider-Man](https://www.edgepedia.org/spider-man) in the animated series *The Spectacular Spider-Man* (2008–2009) and for roles including young Hercules in Disney's *Hercules* (1997), [Hal Jordan](https://www.edgepedia.org/hal-jordan) in *Green Lantern: The Animated Series*, Jack Darby in *[Transformers: Prime](https://www.edgepedia.org/transformers-prime)*, and Shiro in *Voltron: Legendary Defender*[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005079/) • [2](https://dpntalent.com/talent/josh-keaton/). He is sometimes credited as Joshua Keaton, Josh Wiener, or Joshua Wiener[3](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/keaton-josh-1979).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birth name and origin | Joshua Luis Wiener, born 1979 in Pasadena, California; some sources give Hacienda Heights, California[3](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/keaton-josh-1979) • [4](https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Josh_Keaton) |
| Signature role | Peter Parker and Spider-Man in *The Spectacular Spider-Man*, 2008–2009, 26 episodes[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005079/) |
| Breakthrough voice role | Young Hercules in Disney's 1997 animated film *Hercules*, which brought him a dedicated voice-over agent[5](https://www.starburstmagazine.com/features/josh-keatongreen-lantern-interview/) |
| Other major roles | Hal Jordan (*Green Lantern: The Animated Series*), Jack Darby (*Transformers: Prime*), Shiro (*Voltron: Legendary Defender*, 69 episodes), Revolver Ocelot (*Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater*)[2](https://dpntalent.com/talent/josh-keaton/) • [1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005079/) |
| Marvel animation | Steve Rogers/Captain America in *What If...?* (2021–) and Captain America in *X-Men '97* (3 episodes)[6](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/36801/josh-keaton) |
| Music career | Member of the boy band No Authority, 1997–98; solo music career pursued from 1999[3](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/keaton-josh-1979) |
| Early honors | Young Artist Award for outstanding voice-over in an animation series (1992, for *Back to the Future*); Young Artist Award for best young adult performer in a teenage role (2004, for *The Even Stevens Movie*)[3](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/keaton-josh-1979) |
## Early life and start as a child actor
Keaton entered the entertainment industry as a child. His older sister got into the business first, and he tagged along on one of her commercial auditions when he was very young; he was not there to audition, but the casting director saw him in the waiting room, brought him in, and he booked the part[7](https://dcanimated.com/WF/sections/specials/specspidey/interviews/keaton/). A children's apparel commercial at age 3 is cited as an early appearance, and he later performed in a gospel group produced by a former [Capitol Records](https://www.edgepedia.org/capitol-records) president[8](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/josh-keaton/bio/3000284678/). His first voice gig came at 11 years old in *Captain Planet and the Planeteers*[9](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/josh-keaton/).
His early voice roles were limited because, as he has described it, he auditioned mostly for on-camera work as a child actor. The parts he did land included Linus on *Peanuts*, Doc Brown's son Jules in *Back to the Future: The Animated Series* (CBS, 1991), and one of the lost boys in *Peter Pan and the Pirates*[10](https://comicbookmovie.com/comics/marvel-comics/exclusive-interview-with-josh-keaton-a80444) • [3](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/keaton-josh-1979).
## Transition to voice acting
Voice-over work grew out of his on-camera career. After landing a fairly large voice role, he signed with an agent who specialized in voice-over[11](https://www.seibertron.com/transmissions/transformers-prime-qa-voice-actor-josh-keaton/23434/). The turning point he identifies is the role of young Hercules in Disney's 1997 film *Hercules*: after that performance he was sought out by a dedicated voice-over agent, which opened up the wider voice-over world of promos, commercials, and theatrical trailers[5](https://www.starburstmagazine.com/features/josh-keatongreen-lantern-interview/).
He has described the auditioning difference between the two careers: on-camera work usually allows more time to review material, while voice-over is usually a cold read followed by the session, though scripts sometimes arrive in advance[12](https://hollywoodthewriteway.com/2009/06/josh-keaton.html).
## The Spectacular Spider-Man
Keaton's best-known role is Peter Parker and his alter ego in *The Spectacular Spider-Man*, which ran from 2008 to 2009 for 26 episodes[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005079/). He came to the series already having voiced Spider-Man characters in video games, including [Harry Osborn](https://www.edgepedia.org/harry-osborn) in the 2002 game *Spider-Man* and its 2004 follow-up *Spider-Man 2*, and said he was not going to let the part get away[13](https://www.scifinow.co.uk/interviews/the-voice-of-spider-man-speaks/) • [7](https://dcanimated.com/WF/sections/specials/specspidey/interviews/keaton/).
Keeping Peter Parker and Spider-Man distinct was a deliberate choice. Keaton has explained that, much like Clark Kent and Superman, he had Peter play up his awkwardness around people who did not know he was Spider-Man, while as Spider-Man he was confident and could say the things Peter wished he could say. He treats the character as three people: Spidey, the Peter Parker everyone else sees, and the Peter Parker in his own head, with the private moments closest to the real Peter[7](https://dcanimated.com/WF/sections/specials/specspidey/interviews/keaton/). He has said he related to the character personally, calling himself a complete dork in high school and describing his portrayal as the voice he hears in his head when he reads the comics[12](https://hollywoodthewriteway.com/2009/06/josh-keaton.html) • [13](https://www.scifinow.co.uk/interviews/the-voice-of-spider-man-speaks/).
## Superhero and animation roles
Keaton has voiced a wide range of superheroes across DC and Marvel projects. For DC, his earliest credit was young Michael Stromwell in the *Batman: The Animated Series* episode "It's Never too Late" (1992), credited under his birth name Josh Wiener; later work includes Flash and Aquaman in the animated film *Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths* (2010), Hal Jordan in *Green Lantern: The Animated Series*, Black Spider in *Young Justice*, and Robin in the video game *Batman: Arkham Origins*[4](https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Josh_Keaton). He has described how the Aquaman part was cast on the spot when a director handed him the dialogue, and that he gave the King of Atlantis a regal voice[5](https://www.starburstmagazine.com/features/josh-keatongreen-lantern-interview/).
For Marvel, he voiced Steve Rogers, including a skinny Steve Rogers, in *[What If](https://www.edgepedia.org/what-if-comics)...?* (2021), matching Chris Evans's performance in the Disney+ series[6](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/36801/josh-keaton) • [14](https://music.amazon.com.au/podcasts/de6fa8e3-9478-44f6-b823-2651bcdf4350/episodes/b3abea92-b94f-4ca8-92d4-b97159d0b738/geek-to-me-radio-277-josh-keaton-on-voice-acting-spider-man-green-lantern-captain-america), and [Captain America](https://www.edgepedia.org/captain-america) in three episodes of *X-Men '97* (2024)[6](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/36801/josh-keaton). In *Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man* (2025) he guest starred as Richard Parker, and he has been announced as the voice of [Eddie Brock](https://www.edgepedia.org/eddie-brock) for the show's second season[6](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/36801/josh-keaton) • [15](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/marvel-tv-shows/your-friendly-neighborhood-spider-man-season-2-release-date-trailer-cast-news/).
His non-superhero animation work includes Jack Darby, the 16-year-old friend of the Autobots, in the Emmy-winning *Transformers: Prime*[2](https://dpntalent.com/talent/josh-keaton/) • [9](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/josh-keaton/), and Shiro in *Voltron: Legendary Defender* (2016–2018, 69 episodes)[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005079/). He has also appeared in recent series such as *Arcane: League of Legends*, *[Pokémon Concierge](https://www.edgepedia.org/pokemon-concierge)* (Tyler), *DOTA: Dragon's Blood* (Bram), and *Dragon Age: Absolution* (Rezaren)[6](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/36801/josh-keaton) • [9](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/josh-keaton/).
## Video games
Keaton's game credits are extensive: MobyGames lists 250 credits on 160 games[16](https://www.mobygames.com/person/60112/josh-keaton/). Notable roles include [Revolver Ocelot](https://www.edgepedia.org/revolver-ocelot) in *Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater* (2004), a part he reprised in *Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater* (2025)[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005079/) • [16](https://www.mobygames.com/person/60112/josh-keaton/); Ryu Hayabusa in the *Ninja Gaiden* console games, including *Ninja Gaiden II Black* (2025)[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005079/) • [16](https://www.mobygames.com/person/60112/josh-keaton/); Prince Anduin Wrynn in *World of Warcraft* and Prince Valerian Mengsk in *StarCraft II*[2](https://dpntalent.com/talent/josh-keaton/); and Electro and Harry Osborn in several Spider-Man games[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005079/). More recent credits include [Iron Man](https://www.edgepedia.org/iron-man) and Spider-Man in *Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls* (2026) and Iron-Man, Spider-Man, and Beetle in *Marvel Cosmic Invasion* (2025)[16](https://www.mobygames.com/person/60112/josh-keaton/).
## Live-action work and music
Although most of his credits are voice roles, Keaton has maintained a live-action career. It began with a bit part as a dancer in the 1992 film *Newsies*, a musical about the 1899 New York newspaper boys' strike[9](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/josh-keaton/). His television appearances include *Bones*, *ER*, and *Boston Public*[12](https://hollywoodthewriteway.com/2009/06/josh-keaton.html), a recurring role as the bad boy Brendon on the soap *The Young and the Restless* (six episodes, from 2000), and two episodes of *Will & Grace* in 2004 playing Sal[9](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/josh-keaton/). He played Mootai and Jason in *The Even Stevens Movie* (2003)[3](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/keaton-josh-1979).
As a singer he was a member of the 1990s boy band No Authority, with the group from 1997 to 1998, and pursued a solo music career beginning in 1999[9](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/josh-keaton/) • [3](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/keaton-josh-1979).
## Personal life
Keaton married actress Elizabeth Melendez on May 30, 2009, and the couple have two children[17](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005079/bio/). His father is Ashkenazi Jewish and his mother is Peruvian, and he is fluent in Spanish[17](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005079/bio/) • [18](https://manga.fandom.com/wiki/Josh_Keaton).
## References
1. [Josh Keaton, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005079/)
2. [Josh Keaton, DPN Talent](https://dpntalent.com/talent/josh-keaton/)
3. [Keaton, Josh 1979–, Encyclopedia.com (Contemporary Theatre, Film and Television)](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/keaton-josh-1979)
4. [Josh Keaton, DC Database (Fandom)](https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Josh_Keaton)
5. [Interview: Josh Keaton, Star of Green Lantern The Animated Series, Starburst Magazine](https://www.starburstmagazine.com/features/josh-keatongreen-lantern-interview/)
6. [Josh Keaton, TVmaze](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/36801/josh-keaton)
7. [The World's Finest – The Spectacular Spider-Man interview with Josh Keaton, Marvel Animation Age](https://dcanimated.com/WF/sections/specials/specspidey/interviews/keaton/)
8. [Josh Keaton Biography, TV Guide](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/josh-keaton/bio/3000284678/)
9. [Josh Keaton, Voice Actor, TV Insider](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/josh-keaton/)
10. [EXCLUSIVE: Interview With Josh Keaton, ComicBookMovie](https://comicbookmovie.com/comics/marvel-comics/exclusive-interview-with-josh-keaton-a80444)
11. [Transformers Prime Q&A: Voice Actor Josh Keaton, Seibertron](https://www.seibertron.com/transmissions/transformers-prime-qa-voice-actor-josh-keaton/23434/)
12. [Talking to Josh Keaton, Hollywood the Write Way](https://hollywoodthewriteway.com/2009/06/josh-keaton.html)
13. [The voice of Spider-Man speaks, SciFiNow](https://www.scifinow.co.uk/interviews/the-voice-of-spider-man-speaks/)
14. [Geek To Me Radio Episode 277: Josh Keaton, Amazon Music](https://music.amazon.com.au/podcasts/de6fa8e3-9478-44f6-b823-2651bcdf4350/episodes/b3abea92-b94f-4ca8-92d4-b97159d0b738/geek-to-me-radio-277-josh-keaton-on-voice-acting-spider-man-green-lantern-captain-america)
15. [Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man season 2: everything you need to know, GamesRadar](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/marvel-tv-shows/your-friendly-neighborhood-spider-man-season-2-release-date-trailer-cast-news/)
16. [Josh Keaton, MobyGames](https://www.mobygames.com/person/60112/josh-keaton/)
17. [Josh Keaton Biography, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005079/bio/)
18. [Josh Keaton, Manga Wiki (Fandom)](https://manga.fandom.com/wiki/Josh_Keaton)
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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 › Contemporary animation 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