Tom Kane, who voiced characters within the “Star Wars” franchise and Professor Utonium in Cartoon Community’s “The Powerpuff Women,” died Monday from problems 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, stated in a press release.
McGinnis remembered Kane as a “legendary voice actor whose work formed the childhoods and imaginations of hundreds of thousands 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 position he touched. His voice grew to become a part of our lives, our reminiscences, and the tales we stock with us,” McGinnis stated.
Kane started working with Lucasfilm as a voice actor on the 1996 online game “Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire,” in accordance with 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 tasks, together with “Star Wars: Yoda’s Problem — Exercise Heart.” He reprised the position 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 outstanding Lucasfilm position because the narrator for the brand new “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.”
“Tom beloved ‘Star Wars’. Followers could greatest keep 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 Inventive Officer Dave Filoni stated in a press release. “His opening narration launched a whole technology to the ‘Star Wars’ galaxy, getting viewers prepared for an additional 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 Women” from 2016 to 2019.
In an Instagram submit, Cartoon Community wrote: “Relaxation in peace, Professor. Thanks, Tom Kane, for lending your voice to the daddy of three good little women and bringing The Drive to hundreds of thousands of followers. You’ll stay on in our childhood reminiscences perpetually.”
McGinnis stated that past Kane’s work as an actor, he was “a rare man” and a “devoted” husband and father of 9 youngsters. Kane and his spouse, Cindy Roberts, had three organic youngsters collectively and welcomed six different youngsters by way of adoption and fostering, McGinnis stated.
“That compassion and generosity outlined who he was simply as a lot as his exceptional expertise did,” he stated. “Although his voice could now be silent, the characters, tales, and love he gave to the world will stay on perpetually. Relaxation in peace, Tom Kane. Thanks for all the pieces. Might the Drive be with you, at all times.”
