Zach Hadel ( ; born 1993), known by his pseudonym psychicpebbles, is an American YouTuber, animator, writer, director, and voice actor. He and Michael Cusack are the co-creators and co-stars of the Adult Swim animated series Smiling Friends (2020–2026). He is also known for his Internet animations, for co-founding the independent animation studio ZAM Studios, and for being a co-host of OneyPlays, a Let's Play web series created by Chris O'Neill.
Early life Hadel was born in Kansas where he began his animation career by uploading Adobe Flash animations to Newgrounds, later transitioning to YouTube. He enrolled in college to learn graphic design, but immediately dropped out before attending any classes. A self-taught animator, Hadel has stated that shows such as SpongeBob SquarePants, The Simpsons, Dragon Ball Z, Beavis and Butt-Head, South Park, and Futurama, inspired his own animation style.
Career His short-form independent cartoons became popular online, such as his animated video responding to overuse of the "arrow in the knee" meme from The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim which went viral in 2011. Along with fellow Newgrounds animator Chris O'Neill, Hadel created the popular web cartoon series Hellbenders featuring exaggerated versions of O'Neill and himself, which was picked up for a pilot by Adult Swim but ultimately not pursued after several years in development hell. Hadel also collaborated with O'Neill to make a short animated video parodying the Kony 2012 documentary; the video went viral, receiving over 1.7 million views within its first weekend. Hadel was a member of the YouTube group SleepyCabin and co-hosted SleepyCast, a comedy and discussion podcast hosted by former Newgrounds animators that launched on August 30, 2014. , his YouTube channel psychicpebbles has 1.6 million subscribers and 222.28 million views.
Hadel animated a segment of Seth Rogen's Hilarity for Charity with Justin Roiland, co-creator of Rick and Morty. Roiland later appraised the animation as his most transgressive joke. Hadel and Roiland also appeared alongside animator Alex Hirsch on h3h3's livestream podcast for charity where they raised over $100,000 for California wildlife relief.
Hadel hosted the podcast Schmucks from 2017 to 2019, where he interviewed fellow entertainers such as Michael Stevens, Finn Wolfhard, Jon Jafari, and Ethan Klein.
In 2018, Hadel storyboarded for SpongeBob SquarePants for the season 11 episode "The Grill is Gone".
Smiling Friends On April 1, 2020, Cartoon Network's late-night Adult Swim block premiered the pilot episode of Hadel and Australian animator Michael Cusack's animated adult television series, Smiling Friends. The series follows Pim and Charlie, two employees of the titular nonprofit organization missioned with making people smile. The series premiered with a full season marathon on January 9, 2022, and later debuted on HBO Max. Adult Swim announced that the show would be renewed for a second season on February 9, 2022. Adult Swim renewed the show for a third season on June 13, 2024. Despite the show being renewed for two more seasons, Cusack and Hadel confirmed the third season would be the final one in the series, citing burnout and emphasis on quality over quantity.
Filmography
Television +YearTitleRoleNotes2011The One Show Animator, features TomSka (Season 6, Episode 211, segment "OH NO BEARS")2018Seth Rogen's Hilarity for CharityItyAlso animatorSpongeBob SquarePantsStoryboard artist ("The Grill is Gone")2022–2026Smiling FriendsCharlie, Glep, variousAlso co-creator, director, writer, storyboard artist, storyboard revisionist, art director, character design supervisor, designer, and animator 2022Tig n' Seek Darryl Barryl Episode: "Twin Seeks"The Paloni Show! Halloween Special!Reggie Paloni Co-writer 2025Big City GreensConcerned Gym Bro Episode: "Flexed"Hazbin HotelSinner, Scream RainEpisode: "Scream Rain"2026Robot Chicken Charlie, Clay Puppington, Saul MaloneTelevision special, "Robot Chicken Adult Swim 25th Anniversary Special"
Web +YearTitleRoleNotes2010; 2012TomSkaAnimator on "Snowballs" and "Rock Bottom" 2011–2017PsychicPebblesVariousVarious shorts2012–2015HellbendersZach, variousCo-creator, co-director, co-writer2013TOME: Terrain of Magical ExpertiseZunchdialVoice roleOneyNGWork on "Potato Salad"2014–2016Wrath ClubThe Tumblist, The TrumbyVoice role, 2 episodes2014–presentOneyPlaysSelfGuest, co-host2014–2019JonTronGrimbo, World's Strongest Gamer, Indy Wife, Yoda (voice)Animator, writer, voice role (4 episodes)2016EddsworldAdditional art2017Hellsing Ultimate AbridgedSatanVoice role2019The Ultimate Recap CartoonMomoVoice role, episode: "The Ultimate ''Avatar: The Last Airbender'' Recap Cartoon"SatinaMelvinVoice role, episode: "Bring Your Demon to Work Day"The Cyanide & Happiness ShowTiny GeneEpisode: "The Animator's Curse"2020MeatCanyonHumpty DumptyVoice role, episode : "Humpty Dumpty Had A Great Fall"HuggbeesSandwich Factory EmployeeVoice role, episode : "How It's Actually Made - Pre-Packaged Sandwiches"2021The StockholmsWillyVoice role; 2 episodesSMILING FRIENDS: Free DrawSelfSpecial featured on Adult Swim YouTube channel.2022Monkey WrenchScreamoEpisode: "The Ghost Egg"Brain DumpSecretaryEpisode: "What Is Fash Ism?"2023Helluva BossAdditional voicesEpisode: "Mammon's Magnificent Musical Mid-Season Special (ft Fizzarolli)"2024Spooky MonthLiterally ZachEpisode: "Hollow Sorrows", misspelled as "Zach Hadle"Catching UpMad BouncerEpisode: "Clubbing"2025Space KingRudolphEpisode: "Kingsmas"2025–2026The Amazing Digital CircusOrange Crappy Looking FishEpisodes: "Beach Episode", "The Last Act"2026Gnome ShowCity contractorEpisode: "Pilot"TBAShrek 2 RetoldShrekVoice role
Podcast +YearTitle RoleNotes2014–2019SleepyCastSelfHost2017–2019SchmucksHost, 4 episodes2017–2021The Official PodcastGuest, 2 episodes2018H3 PodcastSelf, Logan Paul Fan, Donald TrumpGuest2019–presentThe Create UnknownSelf
Music videos +YearTitleRoleArtist2012Unicorn WizardAnimatorNinja Sex Party2013Best Friends Forever
Video games Year Title Role Notes 2022 High on Life Various Voice 2026 Mewgenics Cats HIROTONFA's American Revolution Smuggler Helmsman Harry Sourced from Hadel's IMDb page and YouTube channel.
Awards and nominations
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 2026 | Annie Awards | Best Voice Acting – TV/Media | Zach Hadel
Notes
References
External links psychicpebbles
thepsychicpebble on YouTube Archived from the original on June 15, 2010 psychicpebble on NewGrounds Archived from the original on November 24, 2010