What Happened to Jeff Hays?
Jeff Hays is a highly acclaimed voice actor, audiobook narrator, and the founder and CEO of Soundbooth Theater, known for his immersive multi-character performances. He gained significant recognition for narrating the bestselling 'Dungeon Crawler Carl' LitRPG series. Most recently, in July 2026, Hays was officially cast to voice the beloved character Princess Donut in Peacock's upcoming live-action television adaptation of 'Dungeon Crawler Carl'.
Quick Answer
Jeff Hays, the celebrated voice actor and original narrator of the 'Dungeon Crawler Carl' audiobook series, has been cast as the voice of Princess Donut in Peacock's live-action TV adaptation. This significant announcement was made at San Diego Comic-Con on July 23, 2026. Hays is also the driving force behind Soundbooth Theater, an audio production company renowned for its high-quality, immersive audiobooks, and continues to be a prominent figure in the audiobook and voice acting industries.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline7 events
First Audiobook Published on Audible
Jeff Hays published his first audiobook on Audible, a non-fiction political book titled 'Liberty in Eclipse', marking the beginning of his professional narration career.
Founded Soundbooth Theater
Inspired by his passion for music and a desire to create more immersive audio experiences, Jeff Hays founded Soundbooth Theater, an audio production company focused on high-quality audiobooks with sound effects and music.
Began Narrating 'Dungeon Crawler Carl' Series
Jeff Hays started narrating Matt Dinniman's 'Dungeon Crawler Carl' LitRPG series, which quickly became a massive hit and a cornerstone of his career, accumulating over 140 million listening hours on Audible.
Engaged with r/audiodrama Community
As CEO of Soundbooth Theater, Jeff Hays posted on Reddit's r/audiodrama community, seeking feedback and insights into what listeners look for in audio dramas, highlighting his commitment to the medium.
Interview with The Charismatic Voice Released
A two-hour interview with Jeff Hays by Elizabeth Zharoff of The Charismatic Voice was released, delving into his vocal techniques, influences, and the biology of voice acting, further showcasing his expertise.
YouTube Interview on 'Dungeon Crawler Carl' TV Adaptation
Jeff Hays participated in a YouTube interview, offering behind-the-scenes insights into his craft and discussing the then-upcoming TV adaptation of 'Dungeon Crawler Carl', including the hilarity of multi-character voice acting.
Cast as Voice of Princess Donut in Live-Action TV Series
At San Diego Comic-Con, it was officially announced that Jeff Hays would voice Princess Donut in Peacock's live-action 'Dungeon Crawler Carl' television adaptation, reprising his iconic role from the audiobooks.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Jeff Hays has established himself as a prominent figure in the voice acting and audiobook narration industry, celebrated for his distinctive multi-character performances and immersive storytelling style. His career, spanning over a decade, has seen him narrate more than 400 audiobooks, earning him a reputation for tremendous range and comedic timing. Hays's approach to audiobooks goes beyond mere reading, aiming to create a 'one-man theater' experience with illustrative sound effects and evocative music, a philosophy that led him to found Soundbooth Theater.
Soundbooth Theater, where Hays serves as Founder and CEO, is an audio production company dedicated to producing high-quality, immersive audiobooks and audio dramas. The company's commitment to a deeper listening experience has set it apart, with Hays encouraging his team to adopt an 'immersion' philosophy in their productions. This entrepreneurial venture allowed Hays to blend his talents in narration, music, and sound design, creating a unique niche in the audiobook market.
His most significant impact has come from his narration of Matt Dinniman's 'Dungeon Crawler Carl' LitRPG series. The audiobooks, narrated by Hays, have garnered immense popularity, accumulating over 140 million listening hours on Audible alone. His portrayal of characters, particularly Princess Donut, a self-centered, tiara-wearing cat, has become iconic among fans, contributing significantly to the series' international blockbuster status, which has sold over 14 million copies across all formats.
A major turning point in Hays's career and for the 'Dungeon Crawler Carl' phenomenon occurred on July 23, 2026, at San Diego Comic-Con. During a Penguin Random House panel, it was announced that Hays would reprise his role as the voice of Princess Donut in Peacock's live-action television adaptation of the series. This casting decision was met with widespread enthusiasm from the fanbase, who deeply associate Hays's voice with the character. The series is being produced by Seth MacFarlane's Fuzzy Door and Universal Global Television, with Chris Yost as writer and executive producer, and Matt Dinniman as co-executive producer.
As of July 24, 2026, Jeff Hays remains highly active in the industry. He continues to run Soundbooth Theater, produce audiobooks, and engage with his extensive fanbase. His recent casting in the 'Dungeon Crawler Carl' TV series signifies a major crossover from audiobook narration to mainstream television, solidifying his status as the definitive voice of Princess Donut and expanding his reach to a broader audience. He has also recently participated in interviews discussing his craft and the upcoming TV adaptation, demonstrating his ongoing influence and involvement in the evolving landscape of entertainment.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Jeff Hays made different choices?