Voice Actor and Actor Maria Pendolino
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
By Maria Panagiotidis
Tell us about yourself.
Hi! I’m Maria Pendolino, an award-winning, full-time voice actor based just outside of Buffalo, New York. My voice has been featured across commercials, animation, video games, narration, promos, e-learning and more. I’ve been performing since I was a kid. I caught the acting bug at age 11 when I auditioned for The Sound of Music at my local community theatre. My career took me from the New York City stage to film and TV and eventually into the world of voiceover, where I’ve really found my creative home.
What do you love about voiceover work?
I love that days are never the same. One day, I might be voicing a playful animated character and the next, I'm recording narration for a corporate video or documentary, or the safety instructions for a medication. Or I might be that voice on the telephone line saying, "I'm sorry, I didn't get that," when you are screaming, "Representative!" There’s so much versatility and creativity in this line of work, and I love that through my voice I can help brands, educators and storytellers connect with their audiences.
What are the challenges of doing voiceover work?
I think it can be tricky to juggle client communication, negotiation and marketing - but voiceover is definitely a balance of artistry and entrepreneurship. You’re not only an actor, but you’re also a small business owner, audio engineer and marketer. The challenge is staying creative while managing all the practical sides of running a business. That’s one of the reasons I do voiceover coaching, I enjoy helping others navigate those challenges successfully who maybe never thought about the "business" side of an acting career.
How did you get started in voiceover acting?
I started back in 2010 with a local university commercial in Buffalo. Before that, I was performing in musical theatre and on-camera projects, including Army Wives on Lifetime and Locked Up Abroad for National Geographic. Once I discovered the world of voiceover, I fell in love with how much storytelling could come through in just the voice alone. From that first booking, I was hooked!
What has been your favorite role so far?
That’s a tough one, but if I had to mention one, I’d say playing the lead character, Prim, in the video game Prim Adventure Game was definitely a highlight. There’s something so exciting about developing a character from the ground up. And on my bucket list? Voicing a singing animated villain, Ursula-style, big voice, big personality, big fun.
What are your social media handles and your website address?
You can find me on Instagram, Threads and TikTok at @mariapendo, and my website is www.voicebymaria.com. You can also reach me at maria@voicebymaria.com if you’d like to work together.
What are the differences between voiceover work and acting in a film or television series?
On-camera acting gives you all the tools, facial expressions, movement, costume and environment to tell the story. In voiceover, you have only your voice, so every emotion and intention has to live in your delivery. It’s about painting a picture purely through sound. I think that’s why I love it so much, it's incredibly creative.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love spending time with my husband, Eric and our five rescue cats: Two Scoops, Mozzarella, Panini, Rigatoni, and Ravioli. Outside the booth, I enjoy writing, performing stand-up comedy and working on my adult animated comedy pilot. I also bought an RV during the pandemic, and now my husband and I are full-blown campers! We enjoy exploring the Great Lakes.
How do you prepare for a voiceover role?
I start by researching the project and audience, understanding the tone, pace and message is key. For characters, I spend time exploring their backstory and emotional core, and I experiment with different placements and vocal textures until the performance feels alive. For commercial or corporate work, it’s about clarity, connection and authenticity. I use those same coaching principles with my students when I help them prep for auditions or refine their delivery for demos.
What do you love about living in New York?
Buffalo has this great mix of small-town friendliness and big creative energy. The arts scene is thriving, the people are genuine, and there’s a strong sense of community. Plus, we get all four seasons, which I kind of love, especially the cozy snow days! But, yes, sometimes it is just too cold!
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