Lance Reddick, the Voice of Zavala, Embraced and Cherished Destiny 2 Both on and off Screen
It has been almost two years since Lance Reddick, our beloved Destiny 2 space daddy, passed away. Reddick was arguably one of the most versatile and skilled actors in Hollywood, and he tragically passed away in March of 2023. Most people know him as Charon in the John Wick franchise or Cedric from The Wire series.
It would be surprising for most people to know that Lance Reddick, also was a video game voice actor and an avid gamer. Throughout his career, he had lent his voice to several video games like the Horizon series and Quantum Break. But his most notable work in the video game industry is as Commander Zavala from the Destiny franchise.
Lance Reddick’s Legacy as Commander Zavala
In Destiny 2, Lance Reddick lent his iconic voice to Commander Zavala. He is a pivotal character in the game and the stalwart Vanguard Commander of the Titans. Zavala embodies strength, charisma, and resoluteness, serving as a beacon of hope and leadership for humanity.
Zavala’s primary mission is to protect the Last City, the final stronghold of humanity, and to lead the Guardians in the fight to reclaim the Solar System. Reddick’s performance added a gravitas to Zavala, capturing the character’s inner strength, vulnerability, and unyielding belief in the Guardians’ mission.
Reddick became a part of almost every gamer’s life through his character, Zavala. He is one of the most significant characters in the Destiny franchise and has a huge impact on the game, acting as a mentor and guide to players for their quests and missions. He is also one of the catalysts in the story and his role often drives the narrative.
Unlike many other video game voice actors, Lance Reddick actively indulged in the game as well. Even on the day before his passing, he was playing Destiny 2 at his home.
Bungie Studios, the company that made Destiny 2, made a homage to Reddick in the game. When a player enters the game, a dialog box will appear commemorating the voice actor. On Bungie’s blog page, the game’s developer shared a tribute to Reddick.
For now, we will honor his presence through his performances yet to come in the game, and in the memories that will last us a lifetime. We are deeply saddened by his passing but so thankful for the time we spent together, and our thoughts are with his friends and loved ones.
Bungie even made a post on X honoring Reddick’s time in the company.
— Bungie (@Bungie) March 17, 2023
Reddick was deeply connected with the game’s community as well, often rewarding his fans and gamers with memes and special announcements. His most famous meme is comically nicknamed “excuse me?”, and features him reading and acting out the line in Zavala’s voice, delighting fans with his performance.
Influence in the Destiny 2 community
Lance Reddick was truly a gem of a person and his contribution to both the game and the film industry stand as a testament to his immense talent. His passing left an unfillable void in the hearts of fans and gamers alike, uniting them in mourning a great loss.
Since his passing, players in the game have been holding vigils next to his character, Zavala as a way to say goodbye and show tribute. These gatherings and moments of silence in the game show just how deep of an impact Reddick had on his community.
Lance Reddick’s legacy will forever live within the characters he brought to life. His warmth and generosity towards his fans will never be forgotten and will forever be a comforting memory in hard times.
Rest in peace, Lance Reddick, you will forever be missed.
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