Ashley Johnson

*This page is about the real-world actor. For the character from the "Liam's Quest" one-shots, see Ashley Johnson (character).*

## Ashley Johnson

Photograph of Ashley Johnson for Variety, by Robyn Von Swank.

## General Information

### **Born**

August 9, 1983 (age 40)
Camarillo, California

### **Profession**

* Actress
* Voice actress
* President of the Critical Role Foundation

### **Critical Role works**

	+ Campaign 1: Vox Machina
	+ Campaign 2: The Mighty Nein
	+ Campaign 3: Bells Hells
* *Between the Sheets*
* *EverythingIsContent*
* *Exandria Unlimited*
* *Handbooker Helper*
* *MAME Drop*
* *Mini Primetime*
* *Narrative Telephone*
* *Pub Draw*
* *Travis Willingham's Yee-Haw Game Ranch*
* *The Legend of Vox Machina*
* *"The Nautilus Ark: A Johnson Corp Odyssey" (Sx60)*
* *Candela Obscura, Chapter One*

## Internet Presence

###  **YouTube**

Ashley Johnson

**Ashley Johnson** is an actress, voice actress, a member of the main cast of *Critical Role,* and the president of the Critical Role Foundation. She plays Fearne Calloway in Campaign Three.

In previous campaigns, Ashley played Pike Trickfoot and Yasha Nydoorin. She was also the Dungeon Master for "The Nautilus Ark: A Johnson Corp Odyssey" (Sx60).

## **Critical Role Productions**

### **Pre-stream**

The first campaign of *Critical Role* was Ashley's first time playing a pen-and-paper RPG. She was one of the last players to join the game, and with few options left, she chose to be a gnome cleric because she thought it would be funny and interesting. She quickly realized just how valuable a character she was when the first battle began.

On her first appearance on *Critical Role*, "Attack on the Duergar Warcamp" (1x04), her first and second dice rolls were both natural 20s. Her third dice roll was a natural 1.

### **Main campaigns**

After "Enter Vasselheim" (1x16), Ashley had to leave Los Angeles, California to live in New York City, as she was starring in NBC's live-action series *Blindspot*. Ashley continued to play *via* Skype when possible, and she returned to LA several times during *Blindspot*'s production hiatus, allowing her to return to *Critical Role* in person. Once production on *Blindspot* ended, Ashley was back permanently as of "The Cathedral" (2x86).

During the times when Ashley was not available to play, Pike's absence from the story was usually explained as her staying to work on rebuilding the temple of Sarenrae in Vasselheim or helping to fortify Whitestone. Her appearing out of nowhere to join the group for one or two episodes was explained by Pike using a divine projection to be with the rest of Vox Machina, although she physically remained in Vasselheim. Yasha's absences were justified by the character being more of a loner who does not like large groups, but will join up with the party on occasion, and eventually by her being mind-controlled by Obann.

### **Critical Role Foundation**

Ashley became president of the Critical Role Foundation when it launched in September 2020. She frequently gives updates on current fundraising campaigns at the start of *Critical Role* episodes.

### **Player characters**

*See also: Player characters played by Ashley Johnson*

#### **Main campaigns**

* Pike Trickfoot, gnome Cleric of The Everlight (War Domain) (Campaign One: Vox Machina)
* Yasha Nydoorin, aasimar Barbarian (Path of the Zealot) (Campaign Two: The Mighty Nein)
* Fearne Calloway, faun Druid (Circle of Wildfire)/Rogue (Campaign Three: Bells Hells)

**Pike Trickfoot****Yasha Nydoorin****Fearne Calloway**
#### **One-shots and miniseries**

* Ashley Johnson (character), human rogue ("Liam's Quest: Full Circle" (Sx16))
* Nutmeg Gingersnap, christmas elf Wizard ("The Night Before Critmas" (Sx41))
* Peaches Silversong, honesty pegasus ("Tails of Equestria One-Shot" (Sx44))
* Damian Vadoma, half-elven fighter ("The Adventures of the Darrington Brigade" (Sx49))
* Cameron Solomon, infernal ("Cinderbrush: A Monsterhearts Story" (Sx51))
* Fearne Calloway, faun druid (Exandria Unlimited)
* Ramsey Finnigan ("Tiny Tina's Wonderlands One-Shot" (Sx66))
* Auggie James (Candela Obscura, Chapter One)

**Ashley Johnson****Nutmeg Gingersnap****Peaches Silversong****Damian Vadoma****Cameron Solomon****Fearne Calloway****Auggie James**
### **Games played as Dungeon Master**

* "The Nautilus Ark: A Johnson Corp Odyssey" (Sx60)

### **Movies and television**

Ashley became known as a child actress in the early 90s with her role as Chrissy Seaver on the sitcom *Growing Pains*. By the time she was 12, she had played in eight TV series. She appeared in the NBC drama series Blindspot from 2015 to 2020, as FBI forensic specialist Patterson.

In 2012, Ashley appeared in *The Avengers* as Beth, a waitress who is saved by Captain America. She was intended to appear in future films as his newest love interest, but the idea was shelved.

### **Voice acting**

Some of Ashley's well-known voice acting roles are Gretchen Grundler in *Recess*, Peter Shepherd in *Jumanji* (the animated series), Terra in *Teen Titans*, Gwen Tennyson in the *Ben 10* franchise, and Tulip Olsen in *Infinity Train*. She provided the voice and motion capture for Ellie in the video game *The Last of Us* and its sequel, for which she won two BAFTA awards for Best Performer and a VGX Award for Best Voice Actress, and received several nominations.

## **Personal life**

Ashley and Brian W. Foster began dating in 2012 and announced their engagement in December 2018. They lived together with their two dogs, Henry and Bullock. Previously, Ashley also had had another dog, Sully, who passed away in 2018.

In May 2023, it was reported that Johnson separated from Foster. In October 2023, Ashley and six other women, two of which are current *Critical Role* employees, brought a civil suit against Foster alleging domestic violence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, sexual battery and assault, and stalking.

## **Trivia**

* Ashley's player characters from the first two main campaigns both had their hair turned white due to a significant event, and they both gained wings due to their accomplishments.
* When asked which other Campaign One character she would rather play as, Ashley said either Vax'ildan or Grog.
* Ashley appeared as an NPC in "Critical Role EXTRA – Liam's Quest!" (Sx12), played by Liam O'Brien. She acted similarly to her character Pike, healing the party and sporting a pair of feathered wings.
* One of Sam's recurring sponsor bits features Ashley as the main character, Gale.
* Ashley's chosen drink for her *Between the Sheets* interview was a junglebird.
* In 2020, Ashley appeared in her first time in costume for Halloween on the show. She was dressed as Henry Crabgrass. Subsequently, she has dressed as Travis Willingham (2021), Emma Frost (2022), and Pippin (2023).
* Ashley was the last member of the main cast to take on the role of Dungeon Master. Her first one-shot was unlocked as a stretch goal for the Kickstarter campaign of The Legend of Vox Machina.
* Ashley always wanted to be an astronaut.
* Ashley can play the guitar, piano, violin, and cello. She is also a singer. She has a Soundcloud page where she posts song covers.
* Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the cast of *Critical Role* had to record their lines for *The Legend of Vox Machina* at home. Ashley built her recording studio inside of a closet.
* To promote Exandria Unlimited, several cast members took over the Critical Role instagram account for a day. Ashley took over on June 19, 2021. A fan-made compilation of her instagram stories has been uploaded on Youtube.
* On *Talks Machina*, the host Brian Wayne Foster liked to "#ThankMyGuests" with names that were either mispronounced or sounded close to their names. Here are the names for Ashley Johnson:

* Arshley Jenkins
* Hashleaf Godson
* Crash Thee Datsun
* Ask Me to Prom, Son
* Trashly Jenkins
* YASH-O-LEE
* Yasha is a Boss, Son!
* Naturally Blocks Sun

## **External links**

* Between the Sheets: Ashley Johnson (June 5, 2019)
* Ashley Johnson on Wikipedia

## **References**

1. ↑ See Ashley and Brian's engagement announcement on Instagram.
2. ↑ Segarra, Edward (May 23, 2023). "'The Last of Us' actress Ashley Johnson files restraining order against ex-boyfriend". *USA Today*. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
3. ↑ Panella, Chris; Teh, Cheryl (May 23, 2023). "'The Last of Us' and 'Critical Role' star Ashley Johnson filed a restraining order against her ex-boyfriend, saying she's endured 'many acts of terror' over years of abuse". *Insider*. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
4. ↑ Smith, Ed (May 23, 2023). "The Last of Us star files domestic violence order against ex-boyfriend". *PCGamesN*. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
5. ↑ Hoffer, Christian (October 4, 2023) "The Last of Us Star Ashley Johnson and Six Others Sue Brian W. Foster for Abuse". *ComicBook.com*.
6. ↑ Vary, Adam B. (October 6, 2023). "'Critical Role' Star Ashley Johnson, Six Other Women Allege Physical and Verbal Abuse By Brian Foster". *Variety*.
7. ↑ White, Abbey (October 6, 2023). "'The Last of Us' Star Ashley Johnson and Six Other Women Allege Sexual, Physical Abuse by Brian Foster". *The Hollywood Reporter*.
8. ↑ See "Attack on the Duergar Warcamp" (1x04) at 3:56:32.
9. ↑ See "Honesty Hour" ft. Ashley Johnson (G&S AMA) at 1:06:44.
10. ↑ See The Legend of the Voices of Vox Machina.

**Art:**

1. ↑ Photograph of Ashley Johnson for Variety, by Robyn Von Swank (source). This file is a copyrighted work. Its use in this article is asserted to qualify as fair use of the material under United States copyright law.
2. ↑ Fan art of Ashley's Exandria characters, by Aviv Or (source). Used with permission.
3. ↑ Official portrait by Hannah Friederichs
4. ↑ Official portrait by Hannah Friederichs
5. ↑ Official portrait by Hannah Friederichs
6. ↑ Official portrait by Kendra Wells
7. ↑ Official portrait by Hugo Cardenas
8. ↑ Official portrait by Tori
9. ↑ Official portrait by Aviv Or
10. ↑ Official portrait by Nikoreru
11. ↑ Official portrait by Hannah Friederichs
12. ↑ Official portrait by Lizzart
13. ↑ Photograph of Ashley Johnson, by Heirlume Photography (source). This file is a copyrighted work. Its use in this article is asserted to qualify as fair use of the material under United States copyright law.
14. ↑ Sotoodeh, Sarah. Jaimie Alexander shows off her incredibly sculpted back in a bold crimson dress for PaleyLive in New York City on Daily Mail. Published April 12, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2020.