List of Jem characters
Encyclopedia
Jem and the Holograms
- Jem/Jerrica Benton (voiced by Samantha NewarkSamantha NewarkSamantha Newark is a British-American singer and voice actress.Newark is best known for her voice-over work on the animated 1980s cartoon series Jem as the speaking voice of Jerrica/Jem...
, singing voice recorded by Britta PhillipsBritta PhillipsBritta Phillips is an American musician, songwriter, actress and voice actor. She is best known as the singing voice of the title character of Jem and as one half of the duo Dean and Britta, with her husband Dean Wareham...
) – Jem is the leader of the Holograms where she provides the lead vocals. She is the alter-ego of Jerrica Benton, owner of Starlight Music and a foster home for girls known as "Starlight House". Jerrica Benton inherited both Starlight Music and Starlight House from her late father Emmett Benton. Using the power of Synergy, a powerful computer with holographic capabilities, Jerrica can become Jem by touching her special star-shaped earrings (the "Jemstar earrings"). Most stories of the series consist of Jerrica hiding her identity from others, especially Rio Pacheco, her long-time boyfriend. Synergy's holograms are integral to maintaining the illusion that Jerrica and Jem are two different people. Jerrica tends to compartmentalize her life in some respects and even occasionally shows jealously toward the alter-ego of Jem she created. Her birthday is revealed to be June 1st in the episode "The Fan".
- Kimber Benton (voiced by Cathianne Blore, singing voice recorded by Florence WarnerFlorence WarnerFlorence Warner is an American singer who has worked mainly in recordings of TV commercials, including the Hello News image campaign from Gari Communications....
) – Kimber is Jerrica's younger sister and the primary songwriter of the Holograms. Kimber is also the keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, synthesizerSynthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
s, and Backup vocals for the band. Episodes in which Kimber is the main focus often involve romance and rebellion, such as her jealously towards the media attention that Jem gets. Kimber becomes an equal partner in Starlight Music after the Misfits lose the Battle of the Bands to Jem and Eric Raymond was forced to relinquish his ownership of half of the company to Jerrica, who in turn gives it to Kimber.
- Aja Leith (voiced by Cathianne Blore) – Aja is an Asian-American foster girl who grew up with the other Holograms at Starlight House. She is the Lead Guitarist and Backup vocals for the Holograms. Aja was the first foster child adopted by Jacqui and Emmett Benton, Jerrica and Kimber's parents. She is involved with Craig Phillips, the brother of the Misfit's keytarist, Stormer. Aja is almost always the driver of the Rockin' Roadster, the primary vehicle of the group. In the series Aja is described as being a tomboy and the second in the command of the group and also has considerable knowledge of electronics. Aja is the only one of the Holograms who has some experience with the inner workings of Synergy.
- Shana Elmsford (voiced by Cindy McGee) – Shana is an African-American foster girl who grew up with Kimber, Jerrica and Aja at Starlight House and was the second child to be adopted by the Benton's. Shana provides the Synth Drums, Bass Guitarist, and Backup vocals for the group. Despite Shana's shy demeanor she eventually became good friends with the other girls. Shana boyfriend is Anthony Julian, a music producer she meets in the series, she also designs many of the Holograms' clothes. Shana briefly left the group to pursue a career in fashion as a designer for actress Liz Stratton, wrongly assuming she was not wanted. Shana returns to the band and switches instruments playing the bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
while Raya takes over on drums. Shana sometimes expresses doubts in her talents as a designer, particularly in the episode "In Stitches". She has great respect for Danielle DuVoison, who has taken a personal interest in Shana's work and often gives her helpful advice.
- Carmen 'Raya' Alonso (voiced by Linda DangcilLinda DangcilLinda Dangcil was an American actress and dancer best known for her roles as Sister Ana in the ABC television series The Flying Nun and Carmen 'Raya' Alonso in the animated series Jem....
) – Raya is the Hispanic-American drummer of the Holograms and one of the back-up singers. Quiet, kind and unassuming, Raya won the position of drummer for the Holograms during a nationwide talent search, beating close competitor Craig Phillips (Stormer's brother) in a drum duel. After Shana returns to the group Raya continues on as the Holograms' drummer while Shana takes up the guitar. Raya is the only member of the Holograms who comes from a family and whose parents are still alive and has three brothers.
The Misfits
- Phyllis 'Pizzazz' Gabor (voiced by Patricia Alice Albrecht, singing voice recorded by Ellen Bernfield) – Pizzazz is an archetypal spoiled rich girlSpoiled bratA spoiled child is a child that exhibits behavioral problems from overindulgence by his or her parents. Spoiled children may be described as "overindulged", "grandiose", "narcissistic" or "egocentric-regressed"...
who is the Lead Vocals and GuitaristGuitaristA guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
of the Misfits. Pizzazz was raised by her tycoon father Harvey Gabor and spoiled as a child. Pizzazz is the primary antagonist on the show, constantly trying to upstage Jem and the Holograms, she has been shown to be attracted to Rio (Jem/Jerrica's boyfriend), Sean Harrison (British teen idol and Kimber's on-and-off boyfriend), and Riot (of The Stingers). Pizzazz despises her real name "Phyllis" and is prone to fits of rage if things don't go her way. Although Pizzazz has been raised in the presence of wealth and privilege her entire life and does enjoy the comforts it affords, she doesn't truly crave them as one would expect and instead desires to be famous and the object of adoration.
- Roxanne 'Roxy' Pellegrini (voiced by Samantha Paris) – Roxy is the Misfits' tough-as-nails bassist who also provides the backup vocals. A high school dropout from Philadelphia, she was illiterate until one of the Starlight girls, Ba Nee, gave her a kid's book to learn to read. She takes an instant dislike to new Misfit Jetta, and the two are often at odds with each other.
- Mary 'Stormer' Phillips (voiced by Susan BluSusan BluSusan Maria Blu , sometimes credited as Sue Blu, is an American voice actress, voice director, and casting director in American and Canadian cinema and television...
, singing voice recorded by Florence WarnerFlorence WarnerFlorence Warner is an American singer who has worked mainly in recordings of TV commercials, including the Hello News image campaign from Gari Communications....
) – Stormer is the primary songwriter of the Misfits, KeytarKeytarA keytar is a relatively lightweight keyboard that is supported by a strap around the neck and shoulders, similar to the way a guitar is supported by a strap. Keytars allow players a greater range of movement compared to conventional keyboards, which are placed on stands...
ist for the band, and overall creative force behind the group (though she is almost never given credit for it). While Stormer does seem to enjoy causing mostly harmless mischief, she often express concern over some of the Misfits's more ambitious attempts to upstage Jem. Sweet-natured and compassionate, Stormer is often pushed around by the other Misfits. In the episode, "The Bands Break Up", she and Kimber forge a friendship when both women, feeling unappreciated by their band-mates, strike out on their own, join forces, and record an album together. Though Stormer eventually returns to The Misfits (and Kimber to The Holograms), she does so with new-found self-assurance, and remains friends with Kimber.
- Sheila 'Jetta' Burns (voiced by Louise Dorsey) – Jetta became the newest Misfit when Stormer hears Jetta playing the saxophone in a seedy dance club during a search for new talent. Jetta, a conceited, pathological liar, is originally from Wessex, EnglandEnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and comes from a poor family; despite this, she likes telling people her family has close ties with BritishUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
royal familyRoyal familyA royal family is the extended family of a king or queen regnant. The term imperial family appropriately describes the extended family of an emperor or empress, while the terms "ducal family", "grand ducal family" or "princely family" are more appropriate to describe the relatives of a reigning...
. Jetta is also a skilled pickpocket. Extremely perceptive and stuck-up, Jetta almost immediately begins a rivalry with Roxy. Jetta's parents, Bertie and Flo, made an appearance in the episode "Britrock" and like their daughter are always looking to make a quick buck.
The Stingers
- Rory 'Riot' Llewelyn (voiced by Townsend ColemanTownsend ColemanTownsend Coleman is an American voice actor who performed in many animated series and TV commercials beginning in the early 1980s...
, singing voice recorded by Gordon Grody) – The lead singer of the Stingers. Riot grew up in a strict household with his mother and army officer father who tried to force his values onto him. Riot displayed natural musical talent at a young age but was discouraged by his father who saw it as a sign of weakness. To escape his father's stronghold Riot joined the army but went AWOL in Germany where he met Minx and began to play in a band. Upon realizing his own skill Riot leaves the band to form his own with Minx joining him, Rapture soon joined and the Stingers were born. Riot is charming but aloof and arrogant, he is confident with his looks, believing he is the perfect man. Riot commands respect and demands devotion from his band-mates and fans alike, he is aware of the power he has over people and uses it for his own advantage. Riot's romantic interest in the show is Jem, he believes she is the perfect woman for him and pursues her relentlessly. Riot's relationship with his father was deeply strained over the years but due to his mother's temporary illness and the efforts of Jem to reconcile them in the episode, Riot's Hope, their relationship greatly improved.
- Phoebe 'Rapture' Ashe (voiced by Ellen GerstellEllen Gerstell-Voice roles:*Jem *Monchhichis *Dragon's Lair - Princess Daphne *My Little Pony: The Movie *Little Clowns of Happytown *My Little Pony TV series...
, singing voice recorded by Vicki Sue RobinsonVicki Sue RobinsonVicki Sue Robinson was an American theatre and film actress and singer, closely associated with the disco era of late 1970s pop music; she is most famous for her 1976 hit, "Turn the Beat Around."-Early life and career:...
) – Joining Riot and Minx in Germany, Rapture makes up the third of the Golden Triumverate where she was the Guitarist and Backup vocals. Rapture is a skilled con-artist and is quite knowledgeable in matters of the occult and uses that knowledge to further her own agenda, and often that of the Stingers, as well. She persuaded Mrs. Farnsworth to let the Stingers play a charity concert by pretending to channel the spirit of Houdini(That Old Houdini Magic). She bilked several Greek townspeople out of their money pretending to be an Oracle (Midsummer Night's Madness). Rapture even manuevered herself into a position to exchange a "chunk of crummy quartz" that she got from Pizzazz for a bracelet made of gold and diamonds (The Stingers Hit Town). While self-centered and arrogant, Rapture is intelligent, quick-thinking and has a great deal of performance ability to pull off her scams. She cares greatly for her bandmates and willingly takes orders from Riot on a business level – she knows all too well that his charm and charisma will take him places where she wants to go too. She has no romantic interest on the show.
- Ingrid 'Minx' Kruger (voiced by Kath SoucieKath SoucieKatherine Elaine Soucie is an American voice actress. She is sometimes credited as Kath Soucie, Katherine Soucie, Kath Souci, Kath E...
, singing voice recorded by Vicki Sue RobinsonVicki Sue RobinsonVicki Sue Robinson was an American theatre and film actress and singer, closely associated with the disco era of late 1970s pop music; she is most famous for her 1976 hit, "Turn the Beat Around."-Early life and career:...
) – The synthesizers and Backup vocals for the Stingers. Like the other members of The Stingers, Minx is arrogant and only interested in herself, but will take orders and advice from the charismatic Riot, as she knows he is a man with a future and she wants to be there when it happens. She is cunning and manipulative, and prides herself on being able to have her pick of men, only to toss them away once she gets bored, which happens with alarming regularity. Minx is also very technologically-minded and can work wonders with any computer or synthesizer. The only character in the show that she shows any genuine affiliation towards is Techrat, due to his similar interest in computers. Her romantic interest in the show is Rio, whom she teases and flirts with despite his constant rejections. She sees him as a challenge because she can usually have any man she wants and relishes the prospect of stealing him from both Jerrica and Jem.
Rio Pacheco
Voiced by Michael Sheehan – Jerrica's long-time childhood friend and boyfriend, who plays a Mal EvansMal Evans
Malcolm Frederick 'Mal' Evans was best known as the road manager, assistant, and a friend of The Beatles: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr....
-like role as a road manager
Road manager
In music industry, a Road Manager is a person who works with small to mid-sized tours...
and engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
for the Holograms. He loves Jerrica, but has a crush on Jem, which evolves into something more as the series progresses. Rio has issues with secrecy, anger and lying which are never fully explained but it is those issues which make Jerrica reluctant to reveal herself as Jem for fear that Rio will feel betrayed. Throughout the series the dynamics of the relationship change and a classic Love Triangle
Love triangle
A love triangle is usually a romantic relationship involving three people. While it can refer to two people independently romantically linked with a third, it usually implies that each of the three people has some kind of relationship to the other two...
develops.
Eric Raymond
Voiced by Charlie Adler – Eric Raymond is the main villain in the series, a greedy and manipulativePsychological manipulation
Psychological manipulation is a type of social influence that aims to change the perception or behavior of others through underhanded, deceptive, or even abusive tactics. By advancing the interests of the manipulator, often at the other's expense, such methods could be considered exploitative,...
music executive who initially runs Starlight Music at the time of Emmett Benton's death. Shortly afterwards, his main focus is to gain back full control of the company, half of which was left to him, and the other half left to Jerrica. Eric is not a member of the Misfits but created the group in an attempt to oust Jerrica. Eric loses his half of Starlight Music to Jerrica and forms Misfits Music (financed by Harvey Gabor's) which is later renamed Stingers Sound when he signs a new band the Stingers. Handsome and extremely devious, he is a very smart and savvy (albeit dishonest) business man and will resort to almost anything to sabotage Jem and the Holograms ranging from fraud to hiring goons. Eric also desires to know Jem's true identity. Eric also has some limited knowledge of Synergy's existence through a private detective he hired, but is largely in the dark about what her true origins are.
Additional characters
- Ashley (voiced by Cathianne Blore) - A rebellious young girl and the newest member of the Starlight Girls at the start of the series. She is introduced as a troublemaker, having trouble adjusting to her new life and is a bit greedy (stealing from a homemade bank from which the various Starlight Girl contribute their own money in order to help Jerrica pay for their upkeep). She eventually tries to leave the group in order to live with the Misfits, while becoming close friends with Stormer, Ashley quickly becomes disgusted with the Misfit's vendetta against Jem and returns to Starlight House, having seen the error of her way.
- Mrs. Bailey (voiced by Hazel Shermet) – The care taker of Starlight house.
- Ba Nee (voiced by Samantha Paris and singing voice recorded by Ari Gold): A young Vietnamese-American girl who would be the focus of many episodes of the series, most notably her quest to locate her American soldier father, who went missing in action after he secured Ba Nee and her mother safe passage to America. Ba Nee is a major source of the plot for "Starbright", as she develops a rare disease that threatens to leave her blind, causing Jem and the Holograms to continue with the making of the movie in order to raise the funds to give Ba Nee the operation needed to save her eyesight. She becomes a major supporter of Jem's literacy campaign and ultimately convinces Roxy to learn how to read at the end of "Roxy Rumble". Ultimately, in the series finale, Ba Nee is reunited with her father, with help from Stinger frontman Riot.
- Emmett Benton (voiced by Wally BurrWally BurrWally Burr is an American voice actor and director. He was best known as the voice director for the Generation 1 cartoon and The Transformers: The Movie. Aside from voicing some incidental characters, he has also filled in roles for regular voice actors who were unavailable for taping. He is also...
) – The late father of Jerrica and Kimber Benton. He was the founder of Starlight House, created Synergy, and provided the initial equipment for the Holograms which they discovered after his death.
- Constance "Clash" Montgomery (voiced by Cathy CavadiniCathy CavadiniCatherine Janet "Cathy" Cavadini is an American voice actress and singer. Most famous as the voice of Blossom on Cartoon Network's animated television series The Powerpuff Girls and Tanya Mousekewitz in An American Tail: Fievel Goes West and Fievel's American Tails. She is also the successor voice...
) – The Misfits' groupieGroupieA groupie is a person who seeks emotional and sexual intimacy with a musician or other celebrity. "Groupie" is derived from group in reference to a musical group, but the word is also used in a more general sense, especially in casual conversation....
and biggest fan and HenchmanHenchmanHenchman referred originally to one who attended on a horse for his employer, that is, a horse groom. Hence, like constable and marshal, also originally stable staff, henchman became the title of a subordinate official in a royal court or noble household...
, she gets her nickname due to the miniature cymbalCymbalCymbals are a common percussion instrument. Cymbals consist of thin, normally round plates of various alloys; see cymbal making for a discussion of their manufacture. The greater majority of cymbals are of indefinite pitch, although small disc-shaped cymbals based on ancient designs sound a...
s she wears around her wrists to get attention. Clash is a master of disguise and usually does undercover work for the Misfits. She is also Video's cousin.
- Deirdre - The oldest of the Starlight Girls, Deirdre is an aspiring musician. While normally level headed, she ultimately runs away from the group home when Jerrica/Jem and her fellow bandmates begin to neglect the girls in order to concentrate upon the upcoming music awards ceremony in the two-part episode "The Music Awards". She ultimately returns when she befriends a homeless boy, convincing him to seek help rather than live on the streets.
- Danielle DuVoisin (voiced by Marlene Aragon) – A very wealthy countess and a friend of producer Howard Sands. The lively sophisticated French fashion designer who frequently takes young designers such as Shana Elmsford and Regine Cesaire under her wing.
- Giselle "Danse" Dvorak (voiced by Desirée GoyetteDesirée GoyetteDesirée Goyette is a singer, composer, lyricist and voice-over artist. She has been nominated for two Grammy Awards and has voiced such characters as Betty Boop, Barbie, Nermal, Petunia Pig, Honey Bunny and numerous others for radio, television and toys...
) – A gifted YugoslavYugoslavsYugoslavs is a national designation used by a minority of South Slavs across the countries of the former Yugoslavia and in the diaspora...
-American dancer and choreographer, who is a friend and constant collaborator with the Holograms. She also does charity work and volunteers at "Haven House", a home for troubled teens. She relates to the teens in that she was raised in a foster home shortly after her mother disappeared. In the episode, "Homeland, Heartland", Danse travels to ZagrebZagrebZagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city...
with the Holograms to search for her missing mother and meets her long-lost father, she also finds out that her mother's dance teacher, Victor Krosach, was obsessed with her and went to extreme measures to drive her parents apart.
- Harvey Gabor (voiced by Wally BurrWally BurrWally Burr is an American voice actor and director. He was best known as the voice director for the Generation 1 cartoon and The Transformers: The Movie. Aside from voicing some incidental characters, he has also filled in roles for regular voice actors who were unavailable for taping. He is also...
) – Pizzazz's rich father who spoils his daughter Pizzazz and is usually more concerned with his business interests.
- Joanie (voiced by Marlene Aragon) – Starlight Music's business manager and longtime friend of the Benton Family.
- Anthony Julian (voiced by T. K. CarterT. K. CarterThomas Kent Carter better known as T. K. Carter, is an American comedian and actor. He is best known for playing Michael "Mike" Fulton, an elementary school teacher, on the NBC series Punky Brewster and Mylo Williams on the Disney Channel series Good Morning, Miss Bliss as a supervisor, whose...
) – One of the industry's most talented directors he and Shana quickly develop a romantic relationship and remain the most stable romance in the series. Anthony supports Shana in her pursuit becoming a fashion designer. When he is put in charge of a mini-series and the original designer is fired by star/producer Liz Stratton, Anthony brings Shana in to meet Stratton, earning her a position. Shana quits the project due to Stratton's inflated ego and rejoins the Holograms. Anthony remains at Shana's side throughout the series.
- Krissie (voiced by Cindy McGee) - A young African-American girl who often serves as the voice of reason within the Starlight Group. Krissie is close friends with Ba Nee and is protective of her.
- Lindsey Pierce/Lin-Z (voiced by Susan BluSusan BluSusan Maria Blu , sometimes credited as Sue Blu, is an American voice actress, voice director, and casting director in American and Canadian cinema and television...
) – The popular host of Lin-Z TV, a music video/news/talk show which regularly features the Holograms and Misfits videos and interviews. While Lindsay is usually impartial to the rivalry between the two groups while on the air, she is a good friend and ally to Jem. - Craig Phillips – Stormer's older brother, who resides overseas in Europe. He is a professional drummer who meets Aja while she is searching for a new drummer to replace Shana in the two part episode "The Talent Search". Eric and the Misfits learn of this when Stormer introduced him to them, they immediately tried to influence Craig into using his budding relationship with Aja to find out Jem's secret identity. Craig made another appearance in the episode "Britrock" when Jem and the Holograms were appearing at a benefit concert in London. At this time Aja learned that Stormer was Craig's sister.
- Howard Sands (voiced by Neil RossNeil RossTheodoric Neilson "Neil" Ross is an English voice actor and announcer, born in London, England and now resident and working in Los Angeles, in the United States. He has provided voices for in many American cartoons, particularly those based on Hasbro products and Marvel Comics, and numerous...
) – One of Hollywood's foremost producers, and a close friend of Jem. Sands sweetens the rivalry between Jem and the Holograms and the Misfits by offering a movie contract and a mansion to the winner of the contest.. Even-tempered and firm on fair-play he does his best not to favor either band. However, when the Starlight House burns down and Jerrica appeals to him for a place to house her foster girls, he bends the rules enough to allow the Starlight Girls to stay in the mansion that is part of the prize. Throughout the series he involves himself in many projects with Jem and the Holograms.
- Synergy (voiced by Marlene Aragon) – An extraordinarily sophisticated holographic computer designed to be the ultimate audio/visual entertainment synthesizer. Synergy was created by Emmett Benton, and is in many ways considered to be his life's work. Synergy can generate holographic images that are extremely lifelike and convincing, apart from the fact that they aren't solid, they often serve as Jem's secret weapon in times of distress. Synergy's artificial intelligence, appearance, and voice are all based on the likeness of Emmett's late wife Jacqui. Synergy was intended to be a surrogate mentor, friend, and maternal figure to Jerrica and Kimber. She manifests herself physically as a hologram in the form of a light purple-skinned woman with dark purple hair and eyes.
- Techrat (voiced by Charlie Adler) – An anti-social technical genius, he is Eric Raymond's secret weapon. Techrat invent various gadgets that could be used against Jem and the Holograms.
- Terri (voiced by Patricia Alice Albrecht) - A young girl with pigtails. She was heavily featured in "Trick or Techrat", which revealed that she was very superstitious and hated Halloween, due to the fact that she was easily scared. She ultimately overcomes her fear by the end of the episode, when she is forced to engage in battle with Eric Raymond and Techrat, rescuing a prisoner from the basement of an abandoned opera house, and exposing their latest scheme to hurt Jem and the Holograms.
- Vivien "Video" Montgomery (voiced by Noelle North) – A talented young filmmaker who makes and produces The Holograms music videos. She is Clash's cousin.
- Zipper (voiced by Charlie Adler) – A henchmanHenchmanHenchman referred originally to one who attended on a horse for his employer, that is, a horse groom. Hence, like constable and marshal, also originally stable staff, henchman became the title of a subordinate official in a royal court or noble household...
of Eric Raymond who performs his dirty work during the first season of the show. He is responsible for burning the original Starlight House.