Tom Kane, actor known for Star Wars and Powerpuff Girls, dies aged 64

Voice actor Tom Kane has died aged 64 (Picture: Steve Jennings/WireImage)

Tom Kane, an iconic voice actor known for Star Wars: The Clone Wars series and The Powerpuff Girls, has died aged 64, it has been confirmed.

Kane’s representative, Zach McGinnis, informed TMZ of the news today.

‘Though his voice may now be silent, the characters, stories, and love he gave to the world will live on forever,’ McGinnis said in a heartfelt tribute.

‘But beyond the incredible career was an extraordinary man.

‘Tom was a devoted husband and father who, alongside his wife, built a loving family of nine children — three biological and six welcomed through adoption and fostering.’

No further details of his death were shared, but it is known that Kane died in hospital, surrounded by his family.

He reunited with the Powerpuff Girls actresses just weeks ago (Picture: Instagram)

In Star Wars, Kane voiced Yoda (Picture: Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)

He reportedly suffered long-term complications from his stroke in 2020.

Kane’s most famous characters include Jedi Grand Master Yoda, Professor Utonium (the scientist who creates the Powerpuff Girls), and animated demonic villain HIM.

Just weeks ago, the Kansas-born performer shared his final Instagram post, posing alongside the actresses who voiced the Powerpuff Girls.

‘Reunited with my girls!!’, his sweet caption read.

Canadian star Tara Strong, 53, who gave her voice to Bubbles, commented underneath: ‘We were SO happy…so emotional to be back with our professor. It’s been way too long beautiful friend 🩷🩵💚🤍 our hearts are filled with joy to be back together with you & to hear your beautiful voice slowly coming back brought tears to our eyes. @tkanevo you are an angel on earth, always have been.’

The original trio, who attended the Lexington Comic & Toy Convention in late March, also comprised E.G. Daily (Buttercup) and Cathy Cavadini (Blossom).

The voiceover star retired in 2020 after a stroke left him unable to speak (Picture: SGranitz/WireImage)

Captioning her own snap, Daily, 64, declared it an ‘amazing reunion’.

In addition to the aforementioned popular characters, Kane lent his voice to various video games, such as the Call of Duty franchise, Harry Potter: Magic Awakened, and other Marvel and Star Wars games.

Film-wise, he had parts in Shrek the Third, The Smurfs (plus its two sequels), Scooby-Doo and the Cyber Chase, and Rugrats Go Wild.

His TV credits include The Incredible Hulk, Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Team Knight Rider, Kim Possible, and Ben 10.

Sadly, Kane retired from voice acting six years ago after his stroke left him unable to speak.

His daughter gave fans an update in December that year after he had been absent on social media and missed events.

Tom Kane is an enormously gifted actor & a genuinely nice person. I look forward to him making a complete & full recovery. I know the Voice-Over Community & his countless fans feel exactly the same way. Sending love to him & the entire Kane family. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/hpRZ7DQEPt

— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) December 30, 2020

She explained online that he’d suffered ‘a left-sided stroke that gave him right-sided weakness and damage to the speech centre of his brain’.

Consequently, he could not ‘efficiently communicate verbally, nor read or spell’.

‘He is still competent and very much himself, but can only get out a few words right now.’

‘My dad still remains in good spirits, and his extreme stubbornness has helped him already show improvements in speech,’ she added.

‘He is fully on board with me sharing this, and he will see anything you guys post.’

At the time, Mark Hamill, 74, who played Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars franchise, wrote on X: ‘Tom Kane is an enormously gifted actor & a genuinely nice person. I look forward to him making a complete & full recovery. I know the Voice-Over Community & his countless fans feel exactly the same way. Sending love to him & the entire Kane family.’

Fans are flooding the internet with tributes to the ‘legend’ (Picture: Eric Charbonneau/Le Studio/Wireimage)

Tributes are now flooding the internet as fans learn of his death and celebrate his career.

@TheAgentShadow hailed him as a ‘legend’, while @ScratchyDerose said the loss ‘hurts’ because they ‘grew up with this man’s voice in just about almost everything [they] watched’.

‘Iconic doesn’t even begin to do this man justice, and what happened to him is so unfair. My heart goes out to his friends and family’, tweeted @CarrickInabnett.

@ThatKaitoDan called him ‘one of the all-time voice acting greats’, adding: ‘So many iconic performances, so many characters he helped make even more entertaining, cannot thank him enough for decades of amazing work.’

‘Tom Kane’s voice was a huge part of my childhood with his work, his voice was as smooth as butter, and his range was fantastic. Rest in peace Tom, thank you for everything’, @BTVO17 echoed.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

Arrow
MORE: The Pitt season 3 plot sounds like the most chaotic yet – I can’t wait

Arrow
MORE: Alex Murdaugh has life term for killing wife and son overturned in shock twist