Susan Bennett’s voice is one that millions have interacted with, yet her name might not be instantly recognizable. As the original voice behind Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant, Bennett has had a profound impact on the tech industry and voice acting. This article explores Bennett’s life, career, and the economic impact of her most famous role.
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Table of Contents
Who is Susan Bennett
Susan Alice Bennett, born on July 31, 1949, is an American voice actress and singer. Her voice has been a part of many people’s daily lives since Siri was introduced on the iPhone 4S in October 2011. Beyond Siri, Bennett’s voice has graced commercials, GPS systems, and even video games.
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How old is Susan Bennett
As of 2023, Susan Bennett is 74 years old.
Education and Career
Bennett’s journey into voice acting was not direct. She graduated from Brown University in 1971 with a focus on the classics. Her career began in the 1970s, lending her voice to various projects, including commercials and navigation systems. Her most notable role as Siri came after she unknowingly recorded phrases for a speech construction project in 2005.
What is Susan Bennett Known For?
Susan Bennett is best known as the female American voice of Apple’s Siri from 2011 until the iOS 7 update in 2013. Her voice has also been featured in advertisements for major brands and as the voiceover for GPS and e-learning software.
Who is the Real Voice Behind Siri?
Susan Bennett is recognized as the original voice behind Siri. Her recordings from 2005 were used to create the voice of Apple’s virtual assistant, a fact she discovered only after Siri’s release.
Who is the Voice of Siri 2023?
While Susan Bennett was the original voice of Siri, Apple has since updated Siri’s voice with new voice actors. The current voice actors for Siri as of 2023 have not been publicly disclosed by Apple.
How Much Did Susan Bennett Make for Being Siri?
Surprisingly, Susan Bennett has not received direct compensation from Apple for her role as Siri. Her work for ScanSoft (later acquired by Nuance Communications, which contributed to Siri’s development) was completed under a typical voiceover contract without royalties for future use.
How Did Bennett Discover That Her Voice Had Been Used to Create Siri?
Bennett discovered her voice was used for Siri when a friend contacted her in 2011, asking if Siri’s voice was hers. This revelation came as a surprise, as she was unaware that her recordings would be used for Apple’s virtual assistant.
Conclusion
Susan Bennett’s voice has become iconic, shaping how millions of people interact with their devices. Despite the lack of financial compensation from Apple, Bennett’s work as Siri has left an indelible mark on technology and voice acting. Her story highlights the evolving relationship between human creativity and digital innovation.
FAQs about Susan Bennett
- How did Susan Bennett begin her voice acting career?
- Bennett’s voice acting career started with her role as the voice of Tillie the All-Time Teller for the First National Bank of Atlanta in 1974.
- What other work has Susan Bennett done besides Siri?
- Bennett has lent her voice to commercials, public address systems in Delta Air Lines terminals, e-learning software, GPS navigation systems, and even video games.
- Has Apple ever officially acknowledged Susan Bennett as the voice of Siri?
- Apple has not officially confirmed Bennett’s role as Siri’s voice, but audio-forensics experts have expressed certainty about her contribution.
- What was Susan Bennett’s reaction to discovering she was the voice of Siri?
- Bennett was surprised and intrigued upon discovering her voice was used for Siri, learning about it from a friend who recognized her voice.
- What is Susan Bennett’s view on voice actors receiving compensation?
- Bennett has expressed support for voice actors receiving fair compensation for their work, highlighting the importance of recognizing their contributions to the success of digital assistants like Siri.
