Meet Ricky Bartlett | SAG-AFTRA Actor & VO Talent

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ricky Bartlett and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ricky, why did you pursue a creative career?
I was always attracted to the arts. As a kid, I would try out for the band, orchestra, theater, ANYTHING that would offer a release from the hardships of growing up in the projects. The arts were an escape to a fun, colorful world; away from the crime and poverty that was my norm. I even performed at the Springer Opera House in my hometown of Columbus, Georgia in many summer stock roles, such as, the Emperor in ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’, a Lost Boy in ‘Peter Pan,’ and more.

As I grew older, I decided I wanted to work somewhere in the artistic field, so I applied for a job with a local television station, WXTXT-TV54 (Fox), as a master control operator on the night shift. From there, I fell in love with anything broadcasting-related. I worked for other stations in the area as well, such as WTVM-TV9 (ABC), WLTZ-TV38 (NBC) and WRBL-TV3 (CBS). All of these positions were behind-the-scenes in a technical field. However, across the street was McClure Broadcasting that was hiring for a radio sales person. Since I always had at least 2-3 jobs at a time, why not another, and I applied. Then BAM… I got the gig. I was there about 2-weeks and was fired from my job. Not because I was bad; in fact, I made money! They decided my personality was too big for sales and wanted me to be the ‘Late Night Host’ for their country station, WKCN Kissin’ 99.3FM, from midnight to 6am. While I was scared to death, that began my radio career.

Moving forward, over the years and working at different radio stations, I ended up in Iowa with my most recent station, KMRY 93.1FM, a CBS Radio affiliate, as the ‘Morning Host’. While on the air in 2019, I thought how great it would be to put all these years of broadcasting into voice-over acting. So, being only 3.5-hours from Chicago, I contacted every agency I could find with the same results; no one was hiring VO artists, but one asked that I come in to talk. I went in and spoke with a representative. Upon first glance of my prosthetic leg, he told me that because I am disabled I would not be marketable and the entertainment industry was not a good fit. He then dismissed me. I was devastated. On the drive back home, I talked to a friend, a fellow disabled actor, and told him about my experience. It turned out, his mother, Gina Stoj of ‘Gina Stoj Talent Management’, is a big agent in Australia, NY, & LA. having cast talent in ‘The Lord of the Rings,’ ‘Law & Order,’ ‘General Hospital,’ and more! When she heard about my experience she was furious and told me she would represent me… no questions asked! I have so much respect for her management-style, abruptness, & kindness.

Because of Gina, I gained the courage to try again in the Chicago area which led to being signed with ‘BnB Talent Chicago’, a SAG-AFTRA affiliate agency. While they also did not receive many VO auditions, they still wanted me to come in for an on-camera film audition. I prepared a monologue (the end scene from ‘Bubba Gump’) and performed it for them in their office. As I finished, I looked up and saw both agents in the room…. crying. Then one of the agents stood up, went around a wall, and came back with a contract for me to look over. They wanted to sign me! WOW! I signed on September 9, 2019. The next day, I had an audition for a security guard role on ‘Chicago P.D.’, an NBCUniversal/Wolf Entertainment series. A few days later, I found out I got the role… and it was a speaking part, which qualified me for SAG-AFTRA. On September 19, 2019, I was on-set filming. So, within a 10-day span, I went from signing with my agency to being on a hit TV series! Simply AMAZING!

Since then, I have been on other projects and continue to love the arts!

Recently, I performed on Broadway and won a ‘Danny Award’ for Disabled Musicians by the ‘Daniel’s Music Foundation’ in cooperation with Sony Music, the Grammys, and The Orchard!

In March 2025, I filmed in Atlanta for a role on the upcoming Hulu/NBCUniversal TV series, ‘Murdaugh Murders’.
So, exciting times for disabled actors and the industry as a whole.

Never give up your DREAMS!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Interesting question!
First, I have to say being a disabled actor, or a double-leg amputee actor in my case, is rare in an industry of perfection
Since losing my left-leg to flesh-eating disease in 2014, and my right-leg to bone-disease in 2022, I have found that I am…. FEARLESS! I don’t even consider a “NO” in the audition process. I simply GO FOR IT! And if I do get passed on a role, I don’t dwell on it. In essence, I have freed myself in my thinking process and happier than before the amputations. Crazy huh?

I will say it isn’t easy. Many times while filming I have completely forgotten the lines. As an amputee, I get severe phantom pains that, while I may not show it at the time, is debilitating. I try to hide it as much as possible. So, I take a few moments to let the pain pass and move on. This has happened when filming ‘Closing Shop,’ a film by Tyler Ritchey & Michael J. Minard (Red Arc Productions) and while filming ‘Intent Unknown,’ a film by Terence Gordon (TNG Films}. Both were very understanding of the situation. Because of this happening uncontrollably, I learned to stop apologizing. I was asked by one of the producers what phantom pain feels like. My only comparison if to stick your finger in.a light socket. The electricity surges through your body and you are unable to release it on your own. Someone has to pull you out of the light socket. Phantom pain is the same, yet there is no one there to pull you out. It has to stop on it’s own.

I have learned that the entertainment industry is seeing disabled actors and professionals more than it has in the past. However, there is still that view of ‘PERFECTION’ that clouds the view of many gatekeepers. I have learned there is no one walking around seeking me out. I have to MAKE THINGS HAPPEN. I have to create my own destiny, which is why I formed my own voice-over studio, ‘Studio bVox’, to provide voice-over solutions to the animation, audiobook, broadcasting, film & video-game industries. I am very proud of this, as it comes full-circle from that very first meeting with an agent telling me I would not make it in actor due to my disability.

Of course, I have found that owning your own business, while working as an actor, is not easy. I work longer hours and fight for every contract I land. In fact, as we speak, I am working on an ‘Audible’ audiobook and about to begin voicing a character in a video-game; among other contracts. I am beyond excited! The video-game is called ‘Get Prepped’, an apocalyptic game by ‘Press X 2 Play’ (Sarita Callender and Denise Barbuto) distributed by EPIC Games. I will voice ‘Scott Clark’, a Warden of the prison system. It is an extremely social-conscious platform that includes licensed-Therapists a gamer can visit while playing.. Studies show kids immerse themselves in video-games, especially when going through trauma, to escape the issues going on around them and to them. If a gamer feels the need to talk about problems they are experiencing, that gamer can simply go into a virtual Therapist’s office and speak with someone who can listen and help. This is simply an amazing concept and one I am incredibly proud to be a part of.

*If you are reading this and are in an abusive situation, you can call: 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or go to: https://www.thehotline.org/
HELP is there for YOU!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
It takes a team of hard-working professionals to help with an acting career. But first and foremost, I have to give my wife, my #1 fan, most of the credit. She pushes me to better myself and to not let my disability change my view of the world. When I tell her I have an audition that I question myself about, she immediately quotes ‘Gabriel Iglesias’ (FLUFFY) by telling me to “Never say NO to opportunities”. This kind of faith is what’s needed in any relationship, especially in a career that is ever evolving.

I have to GREATLY thank my representatives and manager for simply….SEEING ME!

First, my manager, Gina Stoj with ‘Gina Stoj Talent Management’. She has been there the entire time since I started my acting career. Gina signed me when no one else would see beyond my disability. She believes in advocating for disabled actors in Hollywood and the industry as a whole. She is straight forward and tells you like it is. I respect that immensely

I have to thank Bob & Joanna Underwood, my agents with ‘BnB Talent Chicago’, for allowing me to be the Southern man I am without asking me to change myself. They continue to send me to great auditions and are always there to talk about roles in Chicago and beyond.

I would like to also recognize Steve Myers of the ‘Peak Agency’ in Iowa. Steve is a person who will contact me at 2am to tell me about a commercial audition in the middle of the Midwest. He truly seems to want the best for his talent. He’s also available to talk and answer questions when I need him.

I also have to recognize my crazy family! From aunts and uncles to cousins and friend I consider family… they all support my decision to walk this path.

Website: http://imdb.me/ricky

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickytbartlett/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickybartlett/

Twitter: https://x.com/Ricky_Bartlett_

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ricky_bartlett

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rickybartlettofficial

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rickybartlet

Other: http://studiobvox.com [ Studio b.Vox ]

Image Credits
TNG Films
Red Arc Productions
NBCUniversal
Studio U