The Master of Voice Acting, “Yoda·Professor Utonium”—Legendary Voice Actor Tom Kane Passes Away at 64

The legendary voice actor Tom Kane—who filled countless people around the world with their childhood imagination through his roles as Master Yoda in “Star Wars” and Professor Utonium in “The Powerpuff Girls”—has died.

■ “May the Force be with you”… Agency issues official statement on the legend’s passing

According to U.S. entertainment outlets on the 18th (local time), Tom Kane’s agency, Galactic Productions, shared the news of his passing via its official Facebook. In its statement, the agency said, “Today, we bid farewell to the legendary voice actor Tom Kane, who formed the childhood memories and imaginations of millions of people across the world.” It continued, “Even though his voice will now fall silent, the characters, stories, and love he brought into the world will live on forever.” It then offered his final farewell by quoting one of the famous lines from “Star Wars”: “May the Force be with you, always.”

■ A journey that began at 15… From “Star Wars” to “Call of Duty”

Born and raised in Kansas City, Tom Kane began his voice acting career at just 15. He left an unmistakable mark while moving fluidly between screens, living rooms, and the world of games. In the animated series “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” one of his signature roles, he voiced Yoda, the symbol of wisdom, delivering a deep resonance. In the film “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” he played the voice of Admiral Ackbar. He is also remembered for bringing Professor Utonium—who brings the three sisters to life—in Cartoon Network’s popular animated series “The Powerpuff Girls,” making him a familiar voice to music and animation fans worldwide.

His influence also shone in the gaming industry. He provided voices for countless blockbuster games, including the global mega-hit “Call of Duty” series, as well as “Harry Potter: Spellslingers,” “LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga,” and “Marvel Future Revolution,” synchronizing with gamers around the world. However, in 2020, when he was actively working, he suffered a sudden stroke and continued a heartbreaking battle through an illness that took away a substantial part of his language abilities.

■ Beyond a dazzling career, the “Great Father” who held six children close

Tom Kane’s life left deep emotion not only in front of the microphone, but also at home. In its statement, his agency emphasized that he was a devoted husband and father before he was a great voice actor. Together with his wife, Cindy, he raised nine children. Of them, in addition to his three biological children, he welcomed six children into the family through adoption and foster care. Those around him recalled that the compassion and generosity he showed were just as defining of his life as his extraordinary talent.

As the world mourns the departure of a master who had a warmth that felt more like a film than a film itself, tributes from Hollywood colleagues and global fans continue to pour in. His surviving family includes his wife, Cindy, and their nine children.