Tom Kane, Voice Actor, Has Died At The Age Of 64
Image Source: NexusNewsInternational
Tom Kane, voice actor passed away on Monday, May 18, at age 64 following complications from a stroke. He died in hospital in Kanas City, not far from home surrounded by his family. His death was announced by his agent who made this statement.
“From his unforgettable performances in Star Wars to countless animated series, documentaries, and games, Tom brought wisdom, strength, humor, and heart to every role he touched. His voice became part of our lives, our memories, and the stories we carry with us.”
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Kane’s relationship with the galaxy far far away began in the 1990s when he was cast in two classic computer games. Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire & Star Wars: X-Wing vs TIE Fighter. But Star Wars wasn’t the only franchise to recognise Kane’s talent. In 1995 he was picked up for the Iron Man animated series where he voiced a number of characters over thirteen episodes including Stingray, H.O.M.E.R and Century. Marvel liked him and he returned in the Incredible Hulk and Spider-Man (as Doctor Doom) series a year later.
Image Source: The Nerdist
While the Star Wars video game work kept coming thick and fast in the back end of the 90s (Star Wars: X Wing Alliance, Star Wars: Episode 1 Racer), Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon also started to notice Kane’s outstanding talent. Kane snagged show leads in two of the most popular shows on the rival networks, Darwin in The Wild Thornberrys, and as Professor Utonium in the Powerpuff Girls.
At the turn of the Millenium, George Lucas recruited him for an even more important project. Frank Oz had created an iconic sound for Yoda, but he wasn’t available for The Clone Wars animated series (because he was busy with his directing career). George Lucas needed someone to replace him who could be convincing (and wouldn’t anger the fans by turning him into a joke) but could make the role their own. By this point Kane had worked on dozens of Star Wars games, and no one knew the franchise better. He became the undisputed voice of Yoda in animation.
More recently he voiced Qui-Gon Jinn and Yoda on the Lego Star Wars: Skywalker Saga game and acted as the narrator on Star Wars: The Bad Batch. His talents will be sorely missed. He is survived by his wife of over forty years, and his nine children.
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