During the afternoon of this Monday, May 18, the website and entertainment medium TMZ reported that the American voice actor Thomas “Tom” Kane Robertsfamous for playing Yoda in the animated universe of Star Wars and for giving life to Professor Utoniumdied at the age of 64 in a hospital in Kansas Cityin Missouri.
The news was also confirmed by his representative, Zach McGinniswho detailed that the voice actor died accompanied by his family. “Although his voice is no longer heard, the charactersthe stories and the love that he gave to the world they will live forever“, expressed the strategist who managed much of the career by Thomas Kane.
This is because, for more than three decades, Tom Kane built one of the most recognized within dubbing and voice acting in the United States, to the point that his interpretation of Yoda in Star Wars made him a very important figure for millions of followers of the space saga created by George Lucas.
Additionally, the legendary Jedi master participated in dozens of productions related to Star Warswhere he served as narrator and gave voice to multiple characters within the galactic universe, although another generation of viewers remembers him for his work in The Powerpuff Girls, where he played the beloved Professor Utonium.
What did Tom Kane die from?
Tom Kane’s representative, Zach McGinnis, confirmed to TMZ that the American voice actor, 64, passed away due to complications derived from stroke that he suffered in December 2020more than five years ago, since the episode severely affected his ability to speak and made him forced to retire from acting.
After the stroke, Tom Kane suffered aphasiaa neurological disorder acquired that affects the ability to produce, understand, read or write language. Therefore, the voice actor had difficulties speaking, articulating, understanding language and finding the correct wordswhich kept him away from dubbing for five years.
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Despite that, Tom Kane’s voice will be present for always in important animated series franchises and video gamesgiven that among his best-known works are titles from the saga Call of Duty and other collaborations with Marvel, DC Comics and Cartoon Network, which remembered the actor through a publication on social networks.
“Rest in peace, Professor Utonium. Thank you, Tom Kane, for lending your voice to the father of three perfect girls and for carrying the Force to millions of fans. You will live forever in our memories of the childhood“added the children’s television channel, which highlighted the participation of the American actor in the program The Powerpuff Girls.
Tom Kane: Active and recognized
Because throughout his career he participated in dozens of projects animation, video games, commercials and narrationsTom Kane became one of the most active and recognized voice actors in all of Hollywood, gaining international recognition and multiple awards for his work in animated series.
According to TMZ, Thomas Kane’s deep and versatile vocal style allowed him to play heroes, villains, scientists, narrators and fantastic figures that marked childhood and adolescence of millions of people around the world. Unfortunately for him, a stroke affected his ability to communicate.
Rest in peace, Professor ❤️ Thank you, Tom Kane, for lending your voice to the father of three perfect little girls and bringing The Force to millions of fans. You’ll live on in our childhood memories forever. pic.twitter.com/g8l5lCfchi
— Cartoon Network (@cartoonnetwork) May 18, 2026