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Tom Kane, the voice actor who gave life to Yoda in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Professor Utonium in The Powerpuff Girls, has died at 64.
His representative, Zach McGinnis, confirmed Kane passed away May 18 at a hospital in Kansas, surrounded by family. The cause was complications from a stroke he suffered in 2020.
"Today we say goodbye to Tom Kane—a legendary voice actor whose work shaped the childhoods and imaginations of millions around the world," McGinnis told E! News.
"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."
Kane's career stretched across decades, with nearly 300 credits to his name. He voiced Yoda, Admiral Ackbar, and the narrator in Star Wars projects, while also lending his voice to Darwin in The Wild Thornberrys, HIM in The Powerpuff Girls, and characters in Scooby-Doo, Kim Possible, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and the Call of Duty franchise. He even served as the live announcer for five Academy Awards broadcasts, most recently in 2018.
But McGinnis emphasized Kane's greatest legacy was his family. "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. That compassion and generosity defined who he was just as much as his remarkable talent did."
Kane's daughter, Sam, shared updates after his stroke, explaining it left him with speech difficulties but noting he remained "in good spirits" and showed improvement thanks to his determination.
His journey began at 15, recording voiceovers in Kansas. "I was a bored teenager, and I just thought it would be fun to hear myself on television," he once recalled. By his mid-20s, he had already voiced hundreds of commercials and was landing national TV spots.
"Though his voice may now be silent, the characters, stories, and love he gave to the world will live on forever," McGinnis said. "Rest in peace, Tom Kane. Thank you for everything. May the Force be with you, always."
