Aqua Teen Hunger Force, one of the mainstays of Adult Swim’s early 2000s lineup, is back for a new season of mayhem. The surreal trio of Master Shake, Frylock, and Meatwad will be returning for a 12th season, the first sense the network pulled the plug on the show in 2015.
Aqua Teen Hunger Force will continue to follow the adventures (and often the misbehavior) of the three members of the “Force”: The well-meaning and sensible Frylock (a giant anthropomorphic carton of French fries); the ineffective, pathological, and often megalomaniacal Master Shake (a giant anthropomorphic milkshake); and the childlike, sweet, and shapeshifting Meatwad (a giant ball of meat.)
While Aqua Teen Hunger Force has had many famous guest stars on the program over the past 11 seasons, the main voice cast got their first big break doing the show and have remained the principle VO stars ever since. Here are the five actors who have made Aqua Teen Hunger Force number one in the hood for 11 seasons (and a couple of movies) running.
Frylock (Carey Means)
Frylock is easily the show’s smartest character, but he rarely comes out on top in an episode and often unfairly suffers due to Master Shakes plots or to Meatwad’s sheer lack of brains. Frylock is voiced by Carey Means, a graduate of Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, who holds a B.S. in Fine Arts/Vocal Music. ATHF was Means’ big break and his primary role since 2000. Means lives in Atlanta where Aqua Teen Hunger Force is produced.
Master Shake (Dana Snyder)
The egomaniacal Master Shake, who claims to be the team’s leader (although he steadfastly refuses to shoulder any responsibilities the job would entail) is often the cause of whatever disaster looms in any given episode. Voicing Shake is Dana Snyder, who secured the part through auditioning for series creator Dave Willis over the phone.
Snyder has gone on to voice many different roles on assorted Cartoon Network and Adult Swim projects including: Gazpacho on Chowder; Dr. Wang on Minoriteam; The Alchemist and The President on The Venture Bros.; Baby Ball on Ballmastrz: 9009; and Granny Cuyler on Squidbillies. Snyder co-hosts the podcast Dino and Dana’s Safe Space Starring Spencer and Tish since 2018 alongside Dino Stamatopoulos, Spencer Crittenden and Tish Burns.
Meatwad (Dave Willis)
Meatwad, easily the heartthrob of Aqua Teen Hunger Force is portrayed by David Willis, the show’s co-creator. Willis got his first job at Ghost Planet Industries, the company that created Space Ghost Coast to Coast on the strength of his formal letter of recommendation, which was completely written in crayon in the style of a young child. Willis would go on to create Aqua Teen Hunger Force as well as Adult Swim’s Squidbillies.
Carl (Dave Willis)
Though not an official team member, Aqua Teen Hunger Force wouldn’t be the same without next-door neighbor Carl Brutananadilewski. Vulgar, sarcastic, obese, and incredibly unlucky, Carl enjoys what can only be described as a “hate-hate” relationship with his neighbors, which doesn’t stop him or the team from regularly taking advantage of the other, often in a scheme that ends up with Carl brutalized and/or maimed. Carl is voiced by Dave Willis as well.
Dr. Weird and Steve (C. Martin Croker)
No Aqua Teen Hunger Force episode would be complete without the traditional intro sequence/non-sequitur featuring New Jersey mad scientist Dr. Weird and his hapless and oft-victimized assistant Steve. Both Weird and Steve were voiced by animator and voice actor C. Martin Croker, who had also provided the voice of Zorak and Moltar on the animated series Space Ghost Coast to Coast. Croker tragically passed away in 2016 after complaining of food poisoning-like symptoms.
