Dana Snyder, a Webster University alumnus from the class of ’96, has lent his voice to a plethora of iconic characters across Adult Swim and Disney. More recently, he showcased his on-screen comedic talents in the live-action workplace comedy Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell. However, for a generation of younger viewers, particularly those in high school and college, Snyder is most recognized as the voice of Dr. Colosso. This hilariously villainous character from Nickelodeon’s live-action hit show, The Thundermans, is so comically evil that his antics include gifting toasters as wedding presents and even booing at funerals. And, adding to his unique persona, Dr. Colosso is, in fact, a bunny.
The Thundermans, which aired from 2013 to 2018, revolved around the Thunderman family – Hank and Barb Thunderman and their children. This seemingly ordinary family was actually a group of superheroes living undercover in witness protection, constantly juggling the challenge of maintaining normalcy while concealing their extraordinary powers. Dr. Colosso’s backstory is intertwined with Hank Thunderman; he was once Hank’s formidable arch-nemesis, only to be transformed into a rabbit by Hank. Now, Dr. Colosso resides in the Thunderman family’s basement alongside Max, the eldest son, who himself aspires to become a supervillain, creating a dynamic of mischievous mentorship.
Snyder, who honed his artistic skills and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater from The Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster’s Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts, found his experience working on The Thundermans to be quite unique. Unlike traditional acting roles, Snyder wasn’t physically present on set with the other actors. Dr. Colosso was brought to life through puppeteers, and Snyder’s voice work was integrated post-filming. “There was a puppeteer who operated the rabbit, and during filming, he would read the lines. Then, every four weeks or so, I’d join the director and record my lines to match the already filmed scenes,” Snyder explained.
I wouldn’t be doing any of it, had it not been for Webster, because of the people I met there…The training we got at Webster was invaluable.
“It’s similar to working on anime, where you add your voice after the animation is complete. It’s more challenging because you have less freedom to improvise or bring your spontaneous ideas to life. You need to ensure your vocal performance aligns with the existing visuals. Sometimes, I’d suggest alternative deliveries to the director, saying, ‘I might have done it this way.’ And they’d respond, ‘Oh, we wish we could have had you there during filming!’”
Despite the constraints of recording his lines after the visuals were set, Snyder genuinely enjoyed his time on The Thundermans. “It’s a much more relaxed environment compared to a high-pressure network show. In those big network productions, the stakes are incredibly high due to the huge budgets involved, creating a stressful atmosphere for everyone. But on shows like The Thundermans, being geared towards a younger audience, things were much more laid-back,” Snyder shared. “Everyone on set was fantastic. They were all wonderful people.”
Among his fondest memories from the show are the episodes where Dr. Colosso was temporarily transformed back into his human form, allowing Snyder to physically appear on set. “My absolute favorite episode was probably the first two-part episode where Dr. Colosso became human again. It’s so memorable for me because watching it brings back vivid memories of meeting the cast for the first time. It was incredibly fun to be on set, and the cast was so welcoming, saying things like, ‘We’re so glad to finally have you here in person because normally we just hear the puppeteer reading your lines!’”
His successful career in voiceover acting wasn’t a planned trajectory from the start. “I owe my entire voiceover career to Webster and the connections I made there. A classmate from Webster was friends with one of the creators of Aqua Teen Hunger Force. He contacted her, searching for someone who ‘sounded like his mouth writes checks his body can’t cash,’ and she immediately recommended me, saying, ‘You should definitely call my friend Dana. That’s exactly what he sounds like.’” This serendipitous connection launched Snyder into the world of voice acting, leading to his iconic role as Master Shake in Aqua Teen Hunger Force and many other memorable characters.
“[Dean] Peter Sargent was instrumental in my journey to Webster and the Conservatory,” Snyder recalled. “He was the one who auditioned me and convinced me that Webster was the right place for me. He said, ‘No, you have to come here. This is the perfect place for you.’ I was apprehensive about joining the Conservatory. I couldn’t read music and lacked certain technical skills, but Dean Sargent reassured me, ‘Dana, this is where you need to be.’ And he was absolutely right. The training I received at Webster was truly invaluable.”
For students aspiring to enter the competitive entertainment industry, especially in voice acting, the seasoned actor offered insightful advice. “For anyone starting out, my advice is to take classes. Improv classes, acting classes, any relevant class you can find. The benefit isn’t solely the training itself; it’s also about networking and meeting people within those classes. Often, these classes are taught by voice directors or casting agents who can offer guidance and potentially become invaluable contacts in your future career. Building relationships is key.”
However, Snyder also cautioned aspiring actors about navigating the industry. “Do your research before committing to classes. Ask around, talk to other people who have taken the class, or if you’re considering signing up, ask for references from past students. Unfortunately, there are individuals in the voiceover world who promise to help you but are really just looking to exploit aspiring talent. They prey on people’s desperation to break into the industry, aiming to take your money without offering genuine value or opportunities.”
“Everyone I know who has found success in voiceover has taken a completely different path to get there. There always seems to be an element of luck involved – being in the right place at the right time, with the right person asking the right question. But, crucially, all the successful voice actors I know were also prepared. They had honed their skills and were ready when opportunity knocked,” Snyder concluded.
Adding to his impressive portfolio, Snyder has recently been collaborating with Disney on “The Ghost and Molly McGee,” where he voices the ghostly character, Scratch. This animated series premiered on October 1st, further showcasing Snyder’s versatility and enduring presence in the world of voice acting.
