Biografia
Lisa Ann Beley is a Canadian actress and voice teacher hailing from Edmonton, Alberta. She has an extensive career in animation, frequently portraying regal characters and authority figures. Among her notable roles are Cammy White in "Street Fighter," Madame Hydra/Ophelia Sarkissian in "X-Men: Evolution," Teela in "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe," Medusa/Medusalith Amaquelin in "Inhumans," Scarlett/Shana M. O'Hara in both "G.I. Joe: Spy Troops" and "G.I. Joe: Valor vs. Venom," and Thena in "Eternals."
Raised in Edmonton, Beley relocated to Vancouver to pursue higher education. She attended the University of British Columbia’s acting program, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1990. Later, she returned to school at York University, obtaining a Master of Fine Arts in 1997, along with a diploma in voice teaching.
Beley provided the voice for Chi-Chi in Ocean Group’s English dubs of the animated films "Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone" (1989) and "Dragon Ball Z: The World’s Strongest" (1990), and continued in the role for the Ocean Group’s dub of the "Dragon Ball Z" series (1989–1996). Chi-Chi, the wife of the protagonist Goku, was often portrayed as tough and feisty, though her superhuman abilities were less advanced than Goku’s, and she lacked his adventurous spirit.
In the sci-fi series "Exosquad" (1993–1994), Beley voiced Lieutenant Nara Burns, the youngest and least experienced member of an elite exoframe pilot unit engaged in a 22nd-century interplanetary war that claimed her parents’ lives. Nara eventually succeeded J.T. Marsh as the unit’s leader.
Beley portrayed Mai Shiranui, the female ninja (Kunoichi), in "Fatal Fury: The Motion Picture" (1994), based on the popular fighting game series "Fatal Fury" (1991–1999). Mai was characterized by her passion for traditional Japanese arts and rituals, alongside a love for heavy metal music.
In the short-lived fantasy series "Darkstalkers" (1995), Beley voiced two main characters: Felicia, an American werecat, and Hsien-Ko, a Chinese jiangshi (hopping vampire). The series adapted the "Darkstalkers" video game franchise (1994–1997), which drew from gothic horror themes and featured an array of sentient monsters including bigfoots, demons, dhampirs, ghosts, golems, revenants, mermen, mummies, succubi, vampires, werecats, werewolves, witches, and zombies.
In "Mobile Suit Gundam Wing" (1995–1996), Beley lent her voice to Relena Darlian / Relena Peacecraft, the female lead. Relena was the adoptive daughter of a senior diplomat and the last surviving heir to the Sanc Kingdom throne. After her adoptive father’s assassination, she was thrust into leadership by the Romefeller Foundation, though she skillfully transformed her role from figurehead to influential political leader.
Within the action series "Street Fighter" (1995–1997), Beley voiced Cammy White, a Delta Red operative, the main love interest of protagonist William F. Guile, and a brainwashed agent of the antagonist M. Bison. Originating from the "Street Fighter" video games, Cammy is depicted as an amnesiac assassin turned MI6 operative, often portrayed as a product of M. Bison’s super-soldier project.
In "X-Men: Evolution" (2000–2003), Beley voiced Madame Hydra/Ophelia Sarkissian, portrayed as the true head of the espionage group HYDRA. In the comics, Ophelia, also known as Viper, is a Hungarian orphan trained as a HYDRA operative before embarking on a villainous solo career. Her history includes leadership of villain teams like Serpent Squad and Serpent Society, membership in the Hellfire Club’s inner circle, rule over Madripoor, and complex relationships with Wolverine, Silver Samurai, Red Skull, and Spider-Woman.
Also in "X-Men: Evolution," Beley voiced Dr. Deborah Risman, an original character depicted as a scientist working for both HYDRA and SHIELD. She was responsible for creating X-23, Wolverine’s female clone. When X-23 was introduced into the mainstream Marvel universe, her creator’s role was adapted to a similar character named Sarah Kinney.
In "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED" (2002–2003), Beley voiced Murrue Ramius, the female captain of the assault ship "Archangel." Murrue was portrayed as competent yet cautious, unwilling to risk her crew unnecessarily or abandon injured members. Beley also voiced Eileen Canaver, initially a councilwoman and diplomatic chairwoman in the PLANT Supreme Council, who later rose to leadership of the PLANT space colonies through a successful coup.
In "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe" (2002–2004), Beley voiced Teela, a 16-year-old warrior woman and Royal Guard captain. This iteration presented a more cocky and aggressive Teela, who briefly exhibited telepathic abilities. She remained the adoptive daughter of Man-At-Arms, with hints suggesting he might be her biological father.
Beley voiced Scarlett/Shana M. O’Hara in the computer-animated films "G.I. Joe: Spy Troops" (2003) and "G.I. Joe: Valor vs. Venom." Scarlett is a key G.I. Joe Team member and skilled martial artist, originating from Atlanta, Georgia. Her code name references her resemblance to Scarlett O’Hara from "Gone with the Wind," who was also from Atlanta.
She reprised the role of Murrue Ramius in "Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny" (2004–2005). In this series, Murrue discovers that her presumed-dead lover Mu La Flaga is alive but brainwashed with a false identity. She aids him in regaining his true memories, allowing their relationship to continue.
In "Transformers: Cybertron" (2005), Beley voiced Override, a female Autobot who became leader of the planet Velocitron, known for her racing skills, quick thinking, and determination. Her flaws included arrogance and a penchant for risk-taking. Override also acted as a surrogate sister to human girl Lori Jiménez.
In "Death Note" (2006–2007), Beley voiced Halle Lidner, a retired CIA agent involved in the investigation of the serial killer Kira. Motivated by personal loss inflicted by a former Kira, Halle cooperated with rival investigators Near and Mello, remaining indifferent to their power struggles.
In "Mobile Suit Gundam 00" (2007–2009), Beley portrayed Sumeragi Lee Noriega, the chief strategist aboard the mothership "Ptolemaios," renowned for her predictive skills. Haunted by a past mistake that led to a loved one’s death, Sumeragi wrestled with expectations of perfection, learning to accept doing her best rather than being infallible.
In the film "Planet Hulk" (2010), Beley voiced Caiera the Oldstrong, a shadow warrior and Hulk’s love interest and brief wife, based on Greg Pak’s 2006–2007 comic storyline. While Caiera dies in the comics, she leaves behind twin sons, Skaar and Hiro-Kala.
In the mini-series "Inhumans" (2013), Beley voiced Medusa/Medusalith Amaquelin, the Marvel superheroine with prehensile hair used as a weapon. Medusa serves as Queen of the Inhumans, a genetically modified human subspecies, and has been affiliated with both the villainous Frightful Four and the heroic Fantastic Four. She is the older sister of Crystal Amaquelin, original wife of Black Bolt, and sister-in-law and love interest of Maximus the Mad.
In "Marvel Knights: Eternals" (2014), Beley voiced Thena, a member of the Eternals—immortal beings with advanced powers. Named after the goddess Athena, whom she met, Thena is favored daughter of leader Zuras, modeled after Zeus. She is a former lover of the villain Kro and mother to their twins, Donald and Deborah Ritter.
In a 2018 episode of "Superbook," Beley voiced Queen Bathsheba of Israel, the favored wife of King David who orchestrated her first husband’s death to marry her. Bathsheba secured her son Solomon’s succession over his older half-brothers. All later kings of Judah are said to descend from her.
Beley’s activity has diminished in the 2020s, with her retirement status unclear. She has earned a cult following among animation enthusiasts for her numerous roles across decades.
