Tom Kane (1962-2026)

[DecaTilde]

Tom Kane, voice actor who narrated for Star Wars: The Clone Wars (as well as voice Yoda for the series), voiced Professor Utonium, Talking Dog and HIM in The Powerpuff Girls, and voiced Darwin in The Wild Thornberrys, has passed on at the age of 64 due to complications from the stroke he had in 2020.

Farewell, Tom Kane.

 

[Eurbane]

We lost a legendary voice actor.

 

[Frontier]

This...this really hurts.

Such a memorable voice of my childhood who brought to life so many wonderful, iconic, characters.

RIP Tom Kane. You will be missed.

 

[dumbfoolkid5]

R.I.P, Sir

Sent from my SM-A266U1 using Tapatalk

 

[the_joker]

I heard he retired from voice acting after getting a stroke, and it's still pretty tragic to learn about his passing.

My favorite role of his was definitely the friendly father figure to the girls as Professor Utonium in Powerpuff Girls, though him being the voice of Him was also pretty wild to me when I first learned about it.

And he did some great work as a few Marvel characters in Magneto in Wolverine and the X-Men and Ultron in Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Similarly, he voiced some characters in DC games including Mayor Quincy Sharp and Commissioner Gordon in the Batman: Arkham games (though he only voiced Gordon in Asylum).

R.I.P. Tom Kane

 

[wiley207]

He was also the announcer in Walt Disney Home Video's infamous FastPlay menu:

 

[HB-seventy]

His role as Professor Utonium (and the character) and Him was some of my favorite things about
The Powerpuff Girls.
He was also phenomenal for his work on the other cartoons he worked on.
Condolences to his family and colleagues.
May he rest in peace.

 

[Kitschensyngk]

RIP to a beloved voice actor and a fellow Jayhawk.

 

[Neo Ultra Mike]

I have to admit I am surprised that Kane was as young as he was before tragically passing. Not that 64 isn't exactly a spring chicken or anything but I grew up with his voice for decades and he sounded very experienced and authoritative in a way you'd expect when you were at earliest in your late 40s/50s but no he was doing the professor voice starting with his Mid 30s so yeah choke that up to his incredible talent.

And though you think of him as Utonium or the Clone Wars announcer but the guy had a lot of mad talent that really stretched his acting. Darwin from Wild Thornberries, Herrimen from Foster's Home for imaginary Friends, heck him on Powerpuff Girls, Yoda in so many Star wars projects that was a real solid ringer for Frank Oz, etc etc. Guy really brought a lot to each role he was in that really made them distinct and though after hearing about getting a stroke in 2020 and knowing him stepping away from voice acting did likely serve as a sign he may not be longed for the world it is still heart breaking to hear of his passing and to no longer have any fresh well... voices to hear from him but we still have our memories and I do believe we will hear him more in the next live... and in all the amazing work he did in this one.

 

[cheril59]

I have to admit I am surprised that Kane was as young as he was before tragically passing. Not that 64 isn't exactly a spring chicken or anything but I grew up with his voice for decades and he sounded very experienced and authoritative in a way you'd expect when you were at earliest in your late 40s/50s but no he was doing the professor voice starting with his Mid 30s so yeah choke that up to his incredible talent.

And though you think of him as Utonium or the Clone Wars announcer but the guy had a lot of mad talent that really stretched his acting. Darwin from Wild Thornberries, Herrimen from Foster's Home for imaginary Friends, heck him on Powerpuff Girls, Yoda in so many Star wars projects that was a real solid ringer for Frank Oz, etc etc. Guy really brought a lot to each role he was in that really made them distinct and though after hearing about getting a stroke in 2020 and knowing him stepping away from voice acting did likely serve as a sign he may not be longed for the world it is still heart breaking to hear of his passing and to no longer have any fresh well... voices to hear from him but we still have our memories and I do believe we will hear him more in the next live... and in all the amazing work he did in this one.

Looked pretty young, too.

Long live Mr. Herriman, Professor Utonium, and the Talking Dog.

 

[AdrenalineRush1996]

Gutted to hear about his passing. I know that he had to retire due to suffering a stroke in 2020 but still, he'll be missed and left an important legacy as one of the best voice actors of all time.

 

[Asa]

This announcement comes after he had a recent reunion with the original PPG voice cast.

 

[CartoonCF]

Tbh, I never realized he did the Disney FastPlay announcement. My favorite role of his will always be Professor Utonium & HIM.

RIP legend.

 

[Vuxovich]

I am so sad he passed away. But I am also sad because he didn't reprise his roles as Professor Utonium and HIM in Craig McCracken's planned PPGZ dub that never was.