Tom Kane, Voice of Star Wars and Powerpuff Girls, Dies at 64
Tom Kane, the prolific voice actor best known as the narrator of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and the voice of Professor Utonium in Cartoon Network’s “The Powerpuff Girls,” died Monday at a hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, surrounded by his family. He was 64.
The cause was complications from a stroke he suffered in late 2020, according to NBC News. The stroke left Kane largely unable to speak, forcing him into retirement in 2021 — a cruel irony for a man whose voice had defined beloved characters for three decades.
A Voice That Spanned Generations
Born Thomas Kane Roberts on April 15, 1962, in Overland Park, Kansas, Kane began doing voiceover work at age 15 in his hometown. His career, which spanned from the early 1990s to 2023, included credits in animation, video games, and documentaries that made him one of the most recognizable voices in the entertainment industry.
Kane’s first work with Lucasfilm came in 1996 on the video game “Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire.” He went on to voice Yoda in the 2003 “Star Wars: Clone Wars 2D” micro-series and, most notably, served as the narrator for “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” beginning in 2008 — a role that Deadline described as his most prominent Lucasfilm assignment. He also voiced C-3PO, Admiral Ackbar, and numerous soldiers and imperial officers across the franchise.
“Tom loved ‘Star Wars,’” Dave Filoni, Lucasfilm President and Chief Creative Officer, said in a statement. “Fans may best remember him as the voice of the animated Yoda, but truly his voice was the spirit of the Clone Wars. His opening narration introduced an entire generation to the ‘Star Wars’ galaxy.”
From Yoda to Professor Utonium
Beyond the galaxy far, far away, Kane brought warmth and humor to Cartoon Network’s “The Powerpuff Girls” revival from 2016 to 2019, voicing Professor Utonium — the kindly scientist who created Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup. Cartoon Network paid tribute in an Instagram post, writing: “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.”
His voice work extended across an extraordinary range of animated series, including “Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends,” “Kim Possible,” “The Wild Thornberrys,” and “Archer.” In video games, he voiced characters in the “Call of Duty” franchise, “Marvel Future Revolution” (as Magneto and Ultron), and “Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga.” His final credits, according to Variety, were the 2023 video game “Harry Potter: Magic Awakened” and the YouTube series “Presidents Discord Server.”
A Legacy of Talent and Compassion
Kane’s representative, Zachary McGinnis, remembered him as a “legendary voice actor whose work shaped the childhoods and imaginations of millions around the world.” But the statement also highlighted a quieter legacy: Kane and his wife, Cindy Roberts, built a family of nine children — three biological and six welcomed through adoption and fostering.
“That compassion and generosity defined who he was just as much as his remarkable talent did,” McGinnis said. “Though his voice may now be silent, the characters, stories, and love he gave to the world will live on forever.”
What to Watch For
Kane’s death marks the loss of a singular talent in voice acting — a field whose practitioners often shape childhoods without ever showing their faces. His work on “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” alone introduced an entire generation to the franchise, and his performances remain preserved in countless hours of animation and gameplay. Fans and colleagues alike will be watching for tributes in upcoming Star Wars and Cartoon Network content, as the industry honors a voice that became, for millions, the sound of adventure itself.
May the Force be with you, always.