Gone to dogs: Robert Irwin voices character on ‘Bluey’
NEW YORK — Robert Irwin has long acted as a voice for animals. Now he’s actually voicing an animal.
The 17-year-old son of the late conservationist Steve Irwin is lending his voice to a character on the animated show “Bluey.”
“I’ve had so many hilarious and scary and fun adventures with animals. But I’ve never gotten to be an animal before or be the voice of an animal,” he says from his native Australia.
The Brisbane-produced “Bluey,” which centers on a 6-year-old Blue Heeler pup, her sister Bingo and their parents, Chilli and Bandit, has grown into a worldwide phenomenon.
The show has been praised for its ability to speak honestly about parenting and childhood. It won an International Emmy Kids Award for best preschool program. It’s available on Disney Channel, Disney Junior and DisneyNOW.
In the Season 2 episode called “The Quiet Game,” Irwin voices a clerk named Alfie on his first day at work in a toy store when Bluey, Bingo and Bandit come in looking for a birthday gift for a friend.
The trouble is that dad has earlier persuaded his kids to play silently and their fierce commitment has now backfired, forcing him to use charades to figure out which toy to buy.
That’s when Alfie comes it, translating the kids’ clues. “Alfie, you rock star!” says dad.
Irwin, who works at Australia Zoo, a 700-acre facility established by his “Crocodile Hunter” dad, tapped into his knowledge of dingoes at the zoo and his own pet pug to get into character.
“I feel like I have a lot to draw from,” he said. “I know the mind of a dog well. And it was fun to sort of step into those shoes.”
Irwin says Blue Heelers are an iconic breed from the Outback who are smart and natural herders.
“They’re these intelligent, loyal dogs,” he said. “If you’re going to adopt a Blue Heeler, you want to be ready for a very energetic dog.”
Irwin, who was 2 when his father died in 2006, has continued Steve Irwin’s work protecting wildlife and education efforts, together with his mom, Terri, and sister, Bindi.
He leapt at the chance to expand his family’s voice.
“For me, it feels like an honor and a responsibility, but not a burden in any sense. It feels like a privilege to be able to continue this legacy,” he said.
“It feels like the most amazing honor every day to make sure that the incredible work continues, especially after we lost dad.
“I know that for us, our biggest priority was to make sure that everything that he lived and died for continues.”