For anyone who may have missed the news, iconic voice actor Tom Kane has passed away on Monday May 18, 2026 at age 64. His passing was announced by talent agency Galactic Productions.
“…Though his voice may now be silent, the characters, stories, and love he gave to the world will live on forever.
Rest in peace, Tom Kane. Thank you for everything.
May the Force be with you, always.”
As reported by Deadline, Tom Kane’s cause of death was related to a stroke that he suffered several years ago at the beginning of the decade. Despite the aforementioned stroke, he was able to make his first (and eventually, his final) convention appearance in several years at the Lexington Comic & Toy Convention last March.
While countless fans and fellow voice acting artists around the world mourn his passing, Tom Kane will continue to be remembered for various voice over roles across movies, television, and video games.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (and other Star Wars media)
Tom Kane has had several voice roles throughout various Star Wars media. One of his most iconic Star Wars voice roles was for Jedi Grandmaster Yoda in Star Wars projects including Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, The Lego Star Wars Holiday Special, and both the 2008 Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated spin-off movie/Cartoon Network tv series. Admiral Yularen was also another of Tom’s most recognizable Star Wars voice roles. Yularen was often seen serving with Jedi General Anakin Skywalker throughout countless battles and adventures during the Clone Wars (and had additional appearances in 2014’s Star Wars Rebels).
Additionally, Tom Kane was the very narrator at the beginning of the TCW movie/show, as well as at least one narrating scene in the 2021 Star Wars spin-off show The Bad Batch. More of his Star Wars roles included Qui-Gon Jinn in various Lego Star Wars media, Admiral Ackbar in The Last Jedi and some EA Star Wars games like Squadrons and the 2015 Battlefront reboot, and C-3PO in 2012’s Kinect Star Wars.
As a quick personal note, Star Wars Celebration Chicago back in 2019 was my first ever convention I attended. When it came to the booths of the guest actors/actresses, I didn’t get to meet any of them… though I did see Billy Dee Williams from far away, as well as being able to spot the booths of both Tom Kane and Chewbacca actor Peter Mayhew (barely a month before the latter passed away).
Professor Utonium (The Powerpuff Girls)
Another of Tom Kane’s most iconic voice roles was that of Professor Utonium from the 90s Cartoon Network franchise The Powerpuff Girls (and its 2016 reboot). Living in the City of Townsville, the Professor has been highly considered the father of the three titular girls, as he also created them through scientific laboratory-type means. During the 1998 series, Utonium is primarily seen wearing a lab coat and being a clean/orderly-looking character overall.
Throughout the franchise, Tom Kane also voices additional characters including Talking Dog and two villains of the Powerpuff Girls: Mojo Jojo and HIM.
Takeo Masaki (Call of Duty)
That’s right, Tom Kane also contributed his voice to one of the biggest franchises in video games. In the Zombies mode for several Call of Duty titles, Tom brought the few iterations of Takeo Masaki to life. Depending on the timelines, Masaki has been known as a loyal soldier in the Japanese Empire, as well as being a science experiment and additionally, living in the era of Feudal Japan in another timeline. He appeared starting in Call of Duty: World at War and Black Ops to as recent as Black Ops 7 and a version of him in Call of Duty: Mobile.
For Black Ops 7, fellow voice actor Nelson Lee stepped into the role due to Kane’s stroke and consequent retirement from voice acting.
Mr. Herriman (Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends)
Last but not least on this list is the human-sized rabbit caretaker for the house of Madame Foster himself: Mr. Herriman. Mr. Herriman is a fellow imaginary friend of the titular home, speaking with a heavy English accent and wearing a monocle and complete with a tux/vest and tie, and his own mustache and gloves.
Tom Kane voiced Mr. Herriman not only in the 2004 Cartoon Network TV show, but also the rabbit’s appearances in several movies and video games related to the franchise, such as Cartoon Network Universe: FusionFall and the animated movie Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends: Destination Imagination.
What do you think of Tom Kane’s numerous voice acting roles? Have a favorite role or memory of Tom Kane in mind? Let us know on Smash Jump’s social media!
