List of Adventures in Odyssey characters

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The following is a partial list of characters from the radio program Adventures in Odyssey. It is divided into four sections, concerning:

Active major characters: characters present in the latest season, with more than 30 appearances apiece
Inactive major characters: characters absent from the latest season, with more than 30 appearances apiece
Recurring minor characters: characters with more than 10 but fewer than 30 appearances
Major child characters: the most prominent of the myriad children characters in AIO

[edit] Major characters (currently active)

John Avery Whittaker, voiced by Hal Smith (1987 - 1994) and Paul Herlinger (1996 - present): the main character, commonly known as "Whit."
Connie Kendall, voiced by Katie Leigh (1987 - present): the longest-serving current "Whit's End" employee.
Eugene Meltsner, voiced by Will Ryan (1988 - 2000, 2005 - present).
Katrina (Shanks) Meltsner, currently the wife of Eugene Meltsner, voiced by Pamela Hayden (1994 - 1998) and Audrey Wasilewski (2005 - present).
Bernard Walton, voiced by Dave Madden (1990 - present): the town's window-washer.
Jason Whittaker, voiced by Townsend Coleman (1994 - present): Whit's son and former NSA agent. Ran Whit's End while Whit was in the Middle East.
Chris, voiced by Chris Anthony (1987 - present), the show's announcer.
Jack Allen, voiced by Alan Young (1994 – 2004, 2008 - present): childhood friend of Whit, former manager of "Whit's End" when Whit was in the Middle East, and current owner of the J & J Antique Gallery, along with his wife Joanne. He is not considered inactive, but simply not in any shows for a while.
Bart Rathbone, voiced by Walker Edmiston (1987 - 2007)^[1], unknown voice (2008 - present): the schemish manager of the Electric Palace.
Rodney Rathbone, voiced by Steve Burns (1990 – 2006): Bart's son, local bully, and head of the "Bones of Rath."
Tom Riley, voiced by Walker Edmiston (1987 - 2008, respectively): a local farmer and good friend of Whit. (NOTE: The producers have done the same thing they temporarily did to Whit when Hal Smith passed away, they are taking Tom's lines from other episodes and putting them together for new shows.)

[edit] Major characters (currently inactive)

George Barclay, voiced by Chuck Bolte. (1988 - 1996) Left for Pokenberry Falls to become pastor at local church. (Interestingly, Barclay's name shares a pronunciation with that of Bishop George Berkeley, the 18th century philosopher after whom the University of California, Berkeley is named.)
Mary Barclay, voiced by Carol Bilger (1993 - 1996).
Donna Barclay, voiced by Azure Janosky (1988 - 1996).
James (Jimmy) Barclay, voiced by David Griffin (1988 - 1996). He was featured in the two-part 2008 episode "The Triangled Web".
Dr. Regis Blackgaard, Whit's nemesis, voiced by Earl Boen (appeared on and off from 1988 - 1995). Dr. Blackgaard was supposedly killed in an explosion of his own making in 1995. However, he left behind a virus in the Imagination Station that was destroyed a few years later after attempting to gain a corporeal form from Aubrey Shepard. Some of Dr. Blackgaard's biggest fans refuse to admit he was killed in the explosion, saying he's still alive but biding his time before returning to Odyssey again, if he ever does.
Robert Mitchell—nickname Mitch—Connie's boyfriend and an FBI agent also known as AREM (phonetical spelling of RM, his initials), voiced by Steve Burns (2001 - 2003). Left for FBI training in Budapest. Mitch's relationship with Connie was a turbulent one, plagued by misunderstandings and Connie's reluctance to trust him because of the secrecy of his work. Mitch was placed in witness protection during the Novacom Saga and was presumed dead until Connie discovered the truth. After the Novacom Saga, he proposed to Connie, but the two decided to call off the wedding at the last minute and temporarily separate.
Lawrence Hodges, a hyper-active kid with a run-away imagination to the point where he was having trouble separating his make-believe world and the real world, voiced by Gabriel Encarnacion (1992 - 1995). He was briefly heard over a phone-interview in the two part 2008 episode "The Triangled Web".
Lucy Cunningham-Schultz, a pre-teen reporter for both her middle school's newspaper (The Owl) and the Odyssey Times, voiced by Genni Long (1988 - 1996). A hard-working, intelligent and conscientious girl with a somewhat sardonic sense of humor. Got engaged to Jack in "The Triangled Web".
The Jacobs family, including father Dale (an editor/writer for the Odyssey Times, voiced by Phil Lollar, 1989 - 1998.) and his daughters Robyn (voiced by Sage Bolte 1989 - 1992) and Melanie (voiced by Erin Bolte 1991 - 1992). Robyn and Melanie's voice actors, Sage and Erin Bolte, are also sisters in real life. Robyn was often featured on the show during the late 1980s and early 1990s and was portrayed as a somewhat naive girl who was passionate about her Christian faith but not always sure of the right way to live it out.
Sam Johnson, voiced by Kyle Ellison (1991 - 1996.) He, Isaac Morton, and Lucy were best friends until he and Isaac disappeared from the show (their voice actors got too old to do their voices anymore; it happens to most of the Odyssey kids). Sam was a good-hearted boy who also tended to be somewhat naive.
Richard Maxwell: Richard, voiced by Nathan Carlson (1989-2000), debuted in the episode "Eugene's Dilemma" as a manipulative bully who worked as a counselor at Campbell County Community College and victimized his young charge, Nicholas Adamsworth. After the truth about Richard's actions was revealed and he was dismissed from the college, Richard entered the employment of Dr. Regis Blackgaard, but had a change of heart after one of Blackgaard's schemes landed Lucy Cunningham-Schultz in the hospital. Having burned down Tom Riley's barn (for which Tom refused to forgive him for years afterward) and hacked into John Avery Whittaker's computer on Blackgaard's orders, Richard served two years in the Campbell County Detention Center before being released on parole. He foiled a number of Blackgaard's plans as part of his quest for personal redemption.
Officer David Harley: A bumbling, affable police officer who appeared in several early episodes. Voiced by Will Ryan (1987-1989). His character was replaced by Private Eye Harlow Doyle after parents complained that the character of Officer Harley gave kids the wrong impression about the intelligence of most police officers.
Agent Peter Borland: FBI Agent who helped investigate the Novacom case.
Aubrey Shepard: A creative and introspective girl who loves books and poetry, voiced by Camilla Belle (1998-1999) and Danielle Judovitz (1999-2005). She has a tendency to act impetuously, which often gets her into trouble. Aubrey lived in Tom Riley's Timothy Center with her father Ben, mother Ellen, and younger sister Bethany. She was initially unhappy about her parents' newfound Christianity and often made a point to rebel against it, but became a Christian herself during the Novacom Saga. She later left for college.
Arthur Dent: An employee of Andromeda, Arthur Dent was driven to temporary paranoia by the realization of the corporation’s goals and apparent power. He later destroyed a radio tower with fertilizer explosives, thinking that it was the tower from which Andromeda would be broadcasting its mind-control signals. After a court trial, he did not make any further appearances in Odyssey. Voiced by Christopher Snell (2000-2002).
Armitage Shanks: father of Katrina Shanks; now deceased (allegedly murdered by poisoning during the Novacom Saga). He was a bit overprotective of his daughter, and was frequently at odds with Eugene during the early stages of Eugene and Katrina's relationship; however, he was motivated more by love of his daughter than by malice toward Eugene. Voiced by Bernard Erhard (1995-2002).

[edit] Recurring minor characters

Edwin Blackgaard, (1992 - present) twin brother of Dr. Regis Blackgaard and owner of the Harlequin Dinner Theatre, voiced by Earl Boen.
Walter Shakespeare, (1992 - present) assistant to Edwin at the Harlequin Dinner Theatre, voiced by Corey Burton.
Wooton Bassett, Voiced by Jess Harnell (2001-present) An Odyssey mailman who is also the author of Power Boy comics. In some ways, he seems to have not grown up yet (example: he collects Smiley Meal toys and has a slide going out of his house), although he occasionally shows his mature/serious side. He currently has a strained relationship with his father because Wooton is a Christian.
Tamika Washington, (2003 - present) daughter of Ed and Elaine voiced by Courtney Brown.
Doris Rathbone, mother of Rodney, voiced by Pamela Hayden (1993 - 1998), Diane Hsu (2007 - present).
Nick Mulligan, (1997 - 2005) current employee at Whit's End, voiced by Chris Castile. Nick (the nephew and adopted son of Mike and Tracy Mulligan) was portrayed early on as a brash, tough-talking street kid from New York City who smoked and frequently clashed with his cousin/adopted sister Lisa, but eventually he quit smoking and became an employee at Whit's End, and his character mellowed slightly.
The Mulligan family - Husband Mike (1997 - 1998, 2001 - 2002), wife Tracy (1997 - 1998) (a veterinarian), their birth daughter Lisa (1997 - 1998) (who is blind), and their adopted children Nick (see above), Jessica and Janelle (1997 - 1998) (African-American twin sisters who came from an abusive home), and Hector (1998) (a Colombian immigrant). After the closing of the Connellsville Zoo, the Mulligans took in many of the zoo animals who otherwise might have had no place to go.
Mandy Straussberg, (1998 - present)Odyssey Middle School's straight-A student. She is very gifted in writing stories and plays, and in the episode "The Present Long Ago", it is revealed that she will one day marry the middle school's other top student, Trent DeWhite. Mandy is voiced by Aria Curzon.
Rusty Gordon, (1993 - 1995) a member of Rodney's gang, the Bones of Rath. He later wrote a book that painted a very negative portrait of Odyssey, which inspired Connie to write her own book.
Jared DeWhite, (1997 - 1999, 2001 - 2004) voiced by Brandon Gilberstadt, a boy with unusual interests including espionage and conspiracy theories. He and his family were placed in Witness Protection during the Novacom Saga. Jared made a cameo appearance in the 2008 episode "The Triangled Web" as a featured guest on "Candid Converstaions with Connie."
Trent DeWhite - (2003 - present) Jared's little brother. Possessing a toned-down version of his brother's vivid immagination, Trent has been known to overreact and daydream at times. He is a top student at Odyssey Middle School, and at one point developed a crush on Mandy Straussberg, who he will one day marry as revealed in "The Present Long Ago". He is voiced by Corey Padnos.
Harlow Doyle, (1992 - 2000, 2005 - present) voiced by Will Ryan.
Shannon Everett - (1992 - 1994) a rich and popular cheerleader who often resorted to bullying tactics and/or deception to get her way
Ralph Reams - (1991 - 1992) Former roommate of Eugene's late grandfather Hiram Meltsner.
Tasha Forbes, (1994 - 1996) Jason Whittaker's on-again, off-again beau
The Washingtons - Tamika's family, the show's first major African-American characters. The Washingtons have helped to fill the void on the show left by the departure of the Barclays. The family includes husband Ed (2003 - present), wife Elaine (2003 - present), their nephew Xavier (2003 - 2004), and their children Marvin (2003 - present), and Tamika.
Joe Finneman - (1991 - 1994)Connie's great uncle, owner of "Finneman's Market", voiced by Parley Baer
June Kendall - (1988 - 1996, 2002 - 2003) Mother of Connie.
Agnes Riley - (1988, 1996 - 2003, 2005) Tom Riley's wife, also known to her close friends as "Rose" (her middle name). Agnes, an artistic woman who enjoys painting and music, suffers from dementia and resides in an assisted-living facility. She was so infrequently seen by Odyssey residents that the first time Rodney Rathbone saw Tom talking to her (and being unaware that they were married), he assumed Tom was having an illicit affair with her.
Margaret Fay - (1997 - 1998, 2006 - present) Ran for Odyssey Mayor against Bart Rathbone and won. She had feelings for Mr. Whittaker and asked him to marry her as well as manage her campaign, but Whit, not agreeing with many of the issues she supported, declined, which infuriated her. Connie later worked on her campaign.
Phillip Glossman - (1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1994 - 1995, 2008 - present) A state Congressman who harbors a personal vendetta against John Avery Whittaker dating back to the founding of Whit's End. Voiced by Paul McCusker.
Leonard Meltsner - (2006 - 2007) Father of Eugene. Returned to America for a while and then returned to Africa. He is now a Christian. Voiced by Phil Proctor.

[edit] Major child characters (in chronological order - incomplete)

Digger Digwillow - First person to experience the Imagination Station, and the founder of "Wonderworld." Oddly enough, he was only in two episodes.
Lucy Cunningham Schultz - Reporter for the Odyssey Owl/Odyssey Times as well as friend and foil to Isaac, Kurt, and Sam. The two last names were actually because of a mistake by the writing staff. On several occasions Lucy is called Lucy Shultz or Lucy Cunningham. To cover the mistake, the writers made it so Cunningham was from Lucy's first father (Lucy revealed in the 1995 season episode, "The Truth About Zachary," that her birth father died in an automobile accident) and Schultz was the name of her step-dad. Has most appearances for a child character and 4th most appearances of all characters (66). Became engaged to Jack in "The Triangled Web".
Sam Johnson- Best friend to Lucy and a kid who was very important in the Darkness Before Dawn Saga.
Issac Morton- Also a friend of Lucy, although before Kurt. He was a good-hearted but cowardly kid who had a lot of run-ins with a bully named Rodney Rathbone, leader of the "Bones of Rath" gang.
Jack Davis- Another of Lucy's acquiantances. Most known for the being the "coolest" kid. Became engaged with Lucy in "The Triangled Web".
Kurt Stevens- He was always getting into trouble and was most notably known for his relationship with Lucy. Returned for "The Triangled Web".
Jenny Roberts- The show's first major blind character. Despite her disability, she never let it get her down and fit in quite easily in Odyssey. In the three-episode The Perfect Witness, she was kidnapped from Holstein's Bookstore and made use of her heightened senses of smell and hearing to help catch the criminals.
Jimmy Barclay- Probably the most popular child character in the show's history. He and his family were in numerous episodes. He was the only child star kept after the death of the 1st Whit and was kept after his voice changed (it was common practice for AIO to drop actors when their voice changed). He has the second most appearances for a child character, behind Lucy. Returned for "The Triangled Web".
Donna Barclay- Older sister of Jimmy who wasn't as popular (with the fans). Her character also survived after Whit #1, and continued on as a teenager.
Mandy Straussberg- First child character after the death of 1st Whit. She has an older brother named David. In the last couple of volumes, Mandy had been struggling with her parents' recent separation, but since then they have gotten back together. In Odyssey's current airing season, she and Trent DeWhite have become very close friends.
Liz Horton- Reporter for Odyssey Owl and best friend of Mandy Straussberg.
Jared DeWhite- Trouble maker and conspiracy theorist who moved away after a few seasons. He returned during the Novacom series (he and his family had been placed in Witness Protection) and tipped off Sarah and Mandy to the activities of Novacom.
Dwayne Oswald- best known as the foil for Jared DeWhite, Dwayne began as a character who was no good at anything and turned into an honor student later on.
Aubrey Shepard- Young teenager who lived with her family at the Timothy Center. She began the show as an atheist, but eventually became a Christian (a storyline similar to Connie Kendall).
Alex Jefferson- Currently on school swim team. Pretty popular kid in Odyssey. Played a pivotal role in the Novacom saga with his cousin Cal.
Marvin Washington- The most recent child character and an African American; lives with his parents Ed and Elaine and his sister Tamika. While the Washington family were not the first African-American characters on Adventures in Odyssey, they are arguably the first to be considered "major" characters.