I'm Karl Ruff—an Air Force veteran, lifelong union worker, and now full-time voiceover artist. My journey to the mic wasn’t traditional, but it’s exactly what gives my voice its edge.

I spent over 35+ years working in the heart of Michigan’s automotive industry. As a proud member of the union workforce, I learned the value of showing up, delivering with consistency, and standing tall in who you are. Those values stayed with me when I stepped behind the microphone.

My first taste of voice work came while serving as PA announcer for an Ontario Hockey League team. Later, I served as a radio color commentator for High School football, then a multi-sport Junior College play-by-play announcer for live TV broadcast games, experiences that sharpened my timing, my delivery, and my ability to connect with a live audience. Those experiences led me to become the host of a radio post-game show.  That’s where I first started to understand the power of voice to engage, excite, and earn trust.

Since then, I’ve worked across radio, commercial voiceover, narration, and live broadcast—bringing a mature, baritone sound to everything from bold political ads to calm, clear explainer videos. People often describe my tone as deep, warm, authoritative, and fatherly, a sound that resonates and reassures.

But voiceover isn’t just a career pivot for me, it’s a passion rooted in family. I’ve always loved storytelling. For years, I read aloud to my daughters and now to my grandchildren, who were the first to tell me: “Papa, you should be doing this for real.” They gave me the push to share my voice beyond the living room—and I haven’t looked back.

Today, I work with brands, agencies, and producers across the country—virtually from my professional home studio in Metro Detroit. Whether you need a voice that commands the room or quietly draws listeners in, I’m here to help bring your script to life with clarity, confidence, and care.