Tom Kane, Voice of Yoda and Powerpuff Girls Star, Dies at 64

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Veteran voice actor Tom Kane, best known as the voice of Yoda in several Star Wars: The Clone Wars projects and Professor Utonium in The Powerpuff Girls, has died at the age of 64 following complications from a stroke.

Forbes revealed that Kane died on Monday at a hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. His death was confirmed by his representative and later announced by his talent agency, Galactic Productions.

The agency described Kane as “a legendary voice actor whose work shaped the childhoods and imaginations of millions around the world.”

“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,” the statement read.

Born Thomas Kane Roberts on April 15, 1962, in Overland Park, Kansas, Kane began his voice acting career at the age of 15 through radio and commercial voiceovers in Kansas City. He later built a career spanning more than 270 credits across television, film, animation, documentaries, and video games.

Kane became widely recognized for voicing Jedi Master Yoda throughout Star Wars: The Clone Wars and the 2008 animated film adaptation. He also voiced several other characters in the franchise, including C-3PO, Admiral Ackbar, Qui-Gon Jinn, Boba Fett, and Bib Fortuna.

In addition to his work in the Star Wars universe, Kane voiced Professor Utonium and the villain HIM in The Powerpuff Girls. He also appeared in animated series such as Kim Possible, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, and The Wild Thornberrys.

The Star reported that Kane was also known for his talent in mimicking voices, allowing him to replace or continue performances for unavailable actors in various productions. Beyond animation, he provided voices for movie trailers, television network promos, Disney theme park announcements, and video games.

Kane’s career slowed significantly after he suffered a stroke in 2020 that left him unable to speak. His daughter, Sam, previously revealed the condition in a Facebook post, though Kane still managed to complete several projects afterward.

According to IMDb, his final credited project will be the documentary series JFK Assassination: Declassified Theories.

Kane is survived by his wife, Cindy Roberts, whom he married in 1982, and their nine children.

Read: 5 Facts About the Recently Deceased Noriko Ohara, the Voice Behind Doraemon's Nobita

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