Roman Varshavsky (born November 1, 1968) is a highly respected Kazakhstani-American actor and voice artist, widely recognized for his ability to portray intense, high-stakes characters in film, television, and major video game franchises. A graduate of SUNY Purchase, Varshavsky built a robust career as a character actor with notable appearances in classic television series such as 24, The Shield, Alias, and ER. To global audiences, he is perhaps most iconic as the voice and performance behind Vladimir Makarov, the primary antagonist of the original Call of Duty: Modern Warfare trilogy—a role that cemented his status as a legendary figure in the gaming world. He also made a memorable appearance in the third season of Stranger Things (2019) as a Russian Scientist, contributing to the series' Cold War-inspired tension.