Legendary voice actor Tom Kane, best known for voicing Jedi Master Yoda in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, as well as Professor, Him, and numerous other characters in The Powerpuff Girls, Admiral Ackbar in Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi, and Darwin in The Wild Thornberrys, has died. He was 64.
His representative Zach McGinnis confirmed his passing with TMZ on Monday, May 18, 2026, stating that the actor died at a Kansas City hospital surrounded by family. His cause of death was due to complications from a 2020 stroke.
“Though his voice may now be silent, the characters, stories, and love he gave to the world will live on forever,” said McGinnis to the publication. “But beyond the incredible career was an extraordinary man. 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.”
The prolific performer began working as a professional voice actor at age 15 and steadily built a career through high-profile animated projects such as Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Duckman, Spider-Man: The Animated Series, The Angry Beavers, and Johnny Bravo before landing the role of Darwin in The Wild Thornberrys.
He also became well known for voicing the Professor and numerous other characters in the ’90s hit The Powerpuff Girls, as well as Jedi Master Yoda and Admiral Yularen in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, roles he also reprised in the 2008 film Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Kane additionally voiced Admiral Ackbar in Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi.
Later roles included the voice of Woodhouse in Archer in Season 5, Judge Hotah in The Legend of Korra, and the narrator in Star Wars: The Bad Batch.
Star Wars star and prolific voice actor Mark Hamill wrote a tribute to Kane on X: “Tom Kane is an enormously gifted actor & a genuinely nice person. I look forward to him making a complete & full recovery. I know the Voice-Over Community & his countless fans feel exactly the same way. Sending love to him & the entire Kane family.”
Fellow voice actor Roger Clark also posted a heartfelt sentiment to the voice actor: “I just heard about Tom Kane passing away. He was one of the first voice actors to approach me after Red Dead II came out. He invited me into his home and showed me his setup. He had a big, welcoming family. It was a joy to be invited and be their guest. Sad day. May he rest in peace and may his beautiful family never forget his love.”
He is survived by his wife, Cindy, and their nine children.
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