Roger Clark used real illness to voice Arthur Morgan's coughs

Roger Clark, the voice actor for Arthur Morgan in Red Dead Redemption 2, revealed that he used his own real-life illnesses to enhance the authenticity of the character’s coughing fits. Because the character’s struggle with tuberculosis is a central narrative element, Clark sought to provide a level of raw realism that traditional acting might not achieve.

During the game's lengthy development period, Clark would inform developers when he was suffering from ailments like bronchitis or a cold, offering to record lines during those times. He noted that the production schedule allowed for this flexibility, often saving the most intense coughing scenes for the end of the recording day to manage his symptoms. This approach resulted in what Clark described as authentic recordings, including ‘a nice good bit of phlegm’ to match the character's deteriorating health.