Tom Kane, who voiced characters within the “Star Wars” franchise and Professor Utonium in Cartoon Community’s “The Powerpuff Ladies,” died Monday from issues of a stroke he suffered in 2020.
Subscribe to learn this story ad-free
Get limitless entry to ad-free articles and unique content material.
He was 64.
Kane, from Overland Park, Kansas, died at a hospital in Kansas Metropolis surrounded by his household, Zachary McGinnis, his consultant, mentioned in a press release.
McGinnis remembered Kane as a “legendary voice actor whose work formed the childhoods and imaginations of tens of millions world wide.”
“From his unforgettable performances in Star Wars to numerous animated collection, documentaries, and video games, Tom introduced knowledge, energy, humor, and coronary heart to each function he touched. His voice turned a part of our lives, our reminiscences, and the tales we feature with us,” McGinnis mentioned.
Kane started working with Lucasfilm as a voice actor on the 1996 online game “Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire,” based on a web based “Star Wars” biography honoring the actor.
He additionally voiced characters for “Star Wars: X-Wing vs. TIE fighter,” Captain Rottingham in “The Curse of Monkey Island,” and different “Star Wars” galaxy initiatives, together with “Star Wars: Yoda’s Problem — Exercise Heart.” He reprised the function for video video games, together with “Star Wars: Episode I — Jedi Energy Battles,” “Star Wars: Republic Commando,” and “Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith,” and later LEGO “Star Wars” video games and collection.
In different video video games, he voiced the fan-favorite character C-3PO.
In 2003, Kane voiced Yoda and C-3PO for Genndy Tartakovsky’s “Star Wars: Clone Wars 2D” micro-series. 5 years later, he landed his most distinguished Lucasfilm function because the narrator for the brand new “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.”
“Tom beloved ‘Star Wars’. Followers might greatest bear in mind him because the voice of the animated Yoda, however really his voice was the spirit of the Clone Wars,” Lucasfilm President and Chief Artistic Officer Dave Filoni mentioned in a assertion. “His opening narration launched a whole era to the ‘Star Wars’ galaxy, getting viewers prepared for one more journey far, far, away.”
Outdoors of his roles for “Star Wars,” Kane is greatest recognized for voicing Professor Utonium on Cartoon Community’s “The Powerpuff Ladies” from 2016 to 2019.
In an Instagram put up, Cartoon Community wrote: “Relaxation in peace, Professor. Thanks, Tom Kane, for lending your voice to the daddy of three excellent little women and bringing The Drive to tens of millions of followers. You’ll dwell on in our childhood reminiscences endlessly.”
McGinnis mentioned that past Kane’s work as an actor, he was “a unprecedented man” and a “devoted” husband and father of 9 kids. Kane and his spouse, Cindy Roberts, had three organic kids collectively and welcomed six different kids via adoption and fostering, McGinnis mentioned.
“That compassion and generosity outlined who he was simply as a lot as his outstanding expertise did,” he mentioned. “Although his voice might now be silent, the characters, tales, and love he gave to the world will dwell on endlessly. Relaxation in peace, Tom Kane. Thanks for every little thing. Could the Drive be with you, at all times.”
