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Alex Désert

Alex Désert has the kind of varied career that resists being reduced to one familiar role. An American actor born in New York City on July 18, 1968, he has worked across film, television, animation and video games while also maintaining a substantial life in music. His motion-picture credits move between independent and studio productions. Désert appeared in the independent hit Swingers, as well as High Fidelity, Playing God, Bob Funk and PCU. His film work also includes Disney Studios’ Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, while his Disney Channel credits include Invisible Sister and Freaky Friday. Taken together, those titles show a performer comfortable moving between different kinds of ensembles rather than staying in one narrow lane. Voice work forms another major part of Désert’s career. He played Nick Fury in The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and Wise in the web series The LeBrons. His video-game credits include Tomb Raider and Scarface: The World Is Yours, along with the auto-tuned pimp Zimos in Saints Row: The Third. Beginning with the World of Warcraft expansion Battle for Azeroth, he also voiced the loa Bwonsamdi. In 2020, Désert took over the roles of Carl Carlson and Lou on The Simpsons, beginning with the episode “Undercover Burns,” which premiered on September 27. Music is not merely a footnote to his acting work. Désert is one of the lead singers of the ska and reggae band Hepcat. The group has released four albums and toured the United States, Australia and Europe, including dates with The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and The Specials. Hepcat also appeared on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. Across all of these projects, Désert’s career is defined by range: live action, voice performance, games and music, each treated as a genuine part of the work.