Andy Merrill facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Andy Merrill
Merrill at GalaxyCon Columbus in 2022
Occupation	Writer, producer, voice actor
Years active	1990–present
Children	1

Andy Merrill is an American voice actor. He is famous for giving voices to characters like Brak. You might know Brak from shows like Space Ghost Coast to Coast, The Brak Show, and Cartoon Planet. Andy Merrill also voiced Oglethorpe on Aqua Teen Hunger Force.

Starting at Cartoon Network

Andy Merrill joined Cartoon Network in 1992. This was just a few months after the channel began. He used to work at CNN, which is another TV company. Andy started in the programming department. This is where they decide what shows to put on TV.

In 1993, he helped create a new kind of animated show. It was a late-night talk show called Space Ghost Coast to Coast. He even voiced Space Ghost in one of the very first test episodes.

Space Ghost Coast to Coast

Space Ghost Coast to Coast first aired in April 1994. The idea was that Space Ghost, a superhero from the 1960s, had stopped fighting crime. Instead, he was hosting his own talk show. He would interview real-life celebrity guests. His old enemies, Zorak and Moltar, were the band leader and director.

Andy Merrill helped write and produce this show for many years. He also voiced two characters from the "Council of Doom": Brak and Lokar. Brak appeared on the show most often. Space Ghost Coast to Coast was very popular. It helped lead to the creation of the Adult Swim block of shows in 2001.

Andy Merrill and his friend George Lowe shared some sad news in 2016. Their friend and co-star C. Martin Croker passed away. Adult Swim honored Croker by re-airing the first episode of Space Ghost Coast to Coast. Croker had contributed a lot to many Adult Swim shows. Andy, George, C. Martin Croker, Dave Willis, Dana Snyder, and Carey Means were all friends. They had known each other since their early days at Cartoon Network.

The Fun of Cartoon Planet

In 1995, a show called Cartoon Planet started on TBS. Later, it moved to Cartoon Network in 1996. Andy Merrill wrote and produced this show too. He also voiced the character Brak on Cartoon Planet.

The main characters on Cartoon Planet were Space Ghost, Zorak, and Brak. The show was made up of funny skits and songs. It used the same simple animation style as Space Ghost Coast to Coast. At first, the skits and songs were just short parts between old cartoons. These cartoons were owned by Turner Entertainment, like Hanna-Barbera shows and Looney Tunes. But the skits and songs became very popular. Brak's personality grew, and fans loved him. Eventually, Cartoon Planet became a show entirely made of skits and songs.

Brak Gets His Own Shows

Brak became so popular that he got his own specials. In 2000, two variety show specials aired on Cartoon Network. They were called Brak Presents the Brak Show Starring Brak. These specials had new animation and new songs. They also featured celebrity guests and Brak's friend, Zorak.

Later, in December 2000, a new cartoon pilot aired. It was a funny show called "Leave It to Brak." This was actually the first episode of The Brak Show. The Brak Show officially started on Adult Swim in 2001. It ran for three seasons. Andy Merrill voiced Brak and another character named Clarence in this show.

Andy Merrill has continued to voice Brak. He appeared as Brak in an episode of Jellystone! on Max. This show is also based on classic Hanna-Banna characters.

Other Voice Acting Roles

Besides Brak, Andy Merrill has voiced many other characters. He played Oglethorpe in Aqua Teen Hunger Force for many years. He also voiced Oglethorpe in Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters. This was a movie based on the show.

Andy Merrill has also lent his voice to other animated series. These include:

• Adventure Time (as James and other voices)
• Gravity Falls (as 8-Ball and Teeth)
• Secret Mountain Fort Awesome (additional voices)
• Harvey Beaks (as Bag)
• Welcome to the Wayne (as Muhlstrommer)
• Kiff (as Pat Chatterley)

Andy Merrill has brought many fun characters to life with his voice.