Tom Kane (born 1962) is a retired American voice actor. He is best known for his work in animation and video games, most notably the Star Wars franchise.

Tom Kane
Kane in 2015
Born1962 (age 61–62)
OccupationVoice actor
Years active1977–2022
Spouse
Cindy Roberts
(m. 1981)
[citation needed]
Children9
Websitetomkane.com

Career edit

Kane began his voice-over career in 1977, at 15 years old.[1] He is known for his animation work throughout his career, including Jedi Master Yoda and Admiral Yularen in Star Wars: The Clone Wars feature film and TV series, The Chancellor in 9, Magneto in Wolverine and the X-Men and Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds, Ultron in Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow and The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, Mr. Herriman in Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Lord Monkey Fist on Kim Possible, Professor Utonium and HIM in The Powerpuff Girls. He has voiced Oxnard Montalvo in The Angry Beavers and the chimpanzee sidekick Darwin in The Wild Thornberrys.[2]

Kane was also a prominent video game voice actor, appearing in numerous titles - from bit parts, to major roles such as Gandalf, Professor X and lead characters in many Star Wars games like Star Wars: The Force Unleashed as Imperial Captain Ozzik Sturn, Lobot and Kento Marek (the father of Sam Witwer's Galen Marek) thanks to ILM's motion capture technology. In Call of Duty: World at War, Black Ops, Black Ops II, Black Ops III and Black Ops IV, he provides the voice of Takeo Masaki, a Japanese WWII soldier and WWI warrior in the Zombies game mode.

In the arena of non-animation voiceover work, Kane recorded commercials, film trailers and television promos. In addition, he has been the announcer for the AFI Life Achievement Award show twice, as well as the 78th, 80th, 83rd, 84th, and 90th Academy Awards. He also played Odin (the father of Thor and Loki) in the video game adaptation of Thor as well as the Disneyland attraction: Thor: Treasures of Asgard, taking over the role from Anthony Hopkins from the film.

On April 13, 2012, Kane took over for Joe Hursh as the voice of the Walt Disney World Monorail System.[3][4] In 2013, he took over as the announcer of The Eric Andre Show, replacing Gary Anthony Williams.

Kane made his debut in the Star Wars film saga as the voice of Admiral Ackbar in 2017's Star Wars: The Last Jedi, taking over the role from the late Erik Bauersfeld.[5] He had experience in voicing the character on several occasions for video games in the franchise prior to the film's release. He also voiced Plague Champion in Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II - Chaos Rising and Retribution.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kane was one of several voices for health and safety announcements at Walt Disney World.[6] He also narrated the series premiere of Star Wars: The Bad Batch in May 2021.[7]

Retirement edit

In November 2020, Kane suffered a stroke which left him with weakness on the right side of his body and damage to his speaking, writing, and reading abilities.[8][9] In September 2021, his daughter Sam confirmed that, due to his stroke, he had decided to officially enter an early retirement from voice acting.[10]

Personal life edit

Kane has been married to Cindy Roberts since 1981 and is the father of 9 children, including a daughter named Sam, who began giving regular updates on Facebook about his condition.[1][11]

Filmography edit

Voice acting edit

Film edit

Year Title Role Notes
2001 Scooby-Doo and the Cyber Chase Professor Kaufman Direct-to-video[12]
2002 The Powerpuff Girls Movie Professor Utonium [12]
The Wild Thornberrys Movie Darwin Thornberry [12]
2003 Rugrats Go Wild [12]
Brother Bear Additional voices
Dracula II: Ascension Doctor
2007 Shrek the Third Guard #1 [12]
2008 Star Wars: The Clone Wars Yoda, narrator, Admiral Yularen [12]
Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow Tony Stark / Iron Man, Ultron Direct-to-video[12]
Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends: Destination Imagination Mr. Herriman Television film[12]
2009 Hulk Versus The Professor
District 9 News Reporter
9 The Chancellor [12]
2010 Angelo Della Morte Azreal Collins
2011 Star Tours – The Adventures Continue Admiral Ackbar Short film
Hughes the Force TK-5703
The Smurfs Narrator Smurf [12]
2012 Red Tails Bomber Pilot Uncredited
Star Wars Droids: The Jawa Adventure C-3PO Short film
Halloween Awakening: The Legacy of Michael Myers Dr. Samuel Loomis
Grand Deception Narrator Documentary
2013 The Smurfs 2 Narrator Smurf [12]
The Smurfs: The Legend of Smurfy Hollow [12]
2015 Star Wars: The Force Awakens Hosnian Citizen, Starkiller Technician Uncredited
2016 Rogue One Additional voices [12]
2017 Star Wars: The Last Jedi Admiral Ackbar [12]
2018 Solo: A Star Wars Story Additional voices [12]
2019 Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Final film role[12]

Television edit

Year Title Role Notes
1992 Who's the Boss? Announcer Episode: "Tony, Can You Spare a Dime?"
The Legend of Prince Valiant Additional voices Episode: "The Curse"
1993 Great Wonders of the World Narrator Documentary
1995–96 Iron Man H.O.M.E.R., Century, Stingray, Ghost 8 episodes[12]
The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat Additional voices Unknown episodes
1996 Phantom 2040 Mr. Hand, Vagrant, GP Biot Episode: "The Second Time Around"[12]
Wing Commander Academy Additional voices Episode: "On Both Your Houses"
1996–97 The Incredible Hulk Scimitar, H.O.M.E.R. Unknown episodes
1997 Duckman Gene Vuuck, Bill Clinton
Spider-Man Doctor Doom Episode: "Secret Wars, Chapter 3: Doom"[12]
1997–98 The Angry Beavers Oxnard Montalvo, Mayor, Jack Stagger, Male Hero [12]
Team Knight Rider Dante 22 episodes[12]
1997–99 Cow and Chicken Announcer, Roman Soldier, Voice on TV, Super Hero #1 Unknown episodes
1997–2001 Johnny Bravo Berry Vanderbolten, Pantene Claw, Golf Announcer, Tabby 8 episodes[12]
1998–2004 The Wild Thornberrys Darwin, additional voices Unknown episodes[12]
1998–2005 The Powerpuff Girls Professor Utonium, HIM, Talking Dog, Stanley Whitfield, additional voices. 71 episodes[12]
1998 I Am Weasel Anchor Man Episode: "I Are Music Man"
1999–2007 Xyber 9: New Dawn Captain Montand 3 episodes
2000 Buzz Lightyear of Star Command Soldier, Tech Episode: "Strange Invasion"[12]
Psyko Ferret Narrator Television film
2001 Cartoon Cartoon Fridays Him Episode: "Mojo Jojo Takes Over"
The Wild Thornberrys: The Origin of Donnie Darwin Television film
Heavy Gear: The Animated Series Greco
2002 Totally Spies! C.H.A.D., Helmut
2002–07 Kim Possible Lord Monkey Fist, American Starmaker Judge 11 episodes
2003 Codename: Kids Next Door Simon
Kim Possible: A Sitch in Time Monkey Fist, Real Estate Agent Television film
2003–05 Star Wars: Clone Wars Yoda 9 episodes
Duck Dodgers Walter Carbonite, The President of Outer Space 6 episodes[12]
2004 CatDog Evil Eric
Disney Fast Play Announcer[citation needed]
2004-05 Conspiracy? Host 11 episodes
The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy Professor Utonium, Cap'n, Captain Heifer 2 episodes
2004–09 Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends Mr. Herriman, Additional voices Unknown episodes[12]
2005 Teen Titans Bob Episode: "Employee of the Month"[12]
Avatar: The Last Airbender Additional voices Episode: "Imprisoned"
The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius Dean Cain [12]
UFO Files Narrator 2 episodes
2005–2007 The X's Lorenzo Suave, Alien 8 episodes[12]
2006 Four Eyes! Headmaster Payne Episode: "Pilot"
The Case for a Creator Narrator Documentary
Inside Saddam's Reign of Terror Documentary
2006–09 9/11 Commission Report 16 episodes
2006–11 Robot Chicken Additional voices 5 episodes
2006 Ben 10 Ultimos, Arctiguana, Donovan Grandsmith [12]
2007 Robot Chicken: Star Wars C-3PO TV special
2008 Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II Yoda Uncredited
TV Special
The Powerpuff Girls Rule!!! Professor Utonium, Him, Talking Dog Television film
2008–09 Wolverine and the X-Men Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto, Professor Thorton 13 episodes
2008–11 Back at the Barnyard Announcer #2, Freddy's Dad 2 episodes[12]
2008–14, 2020 Star Wars: The Clone Wars Narrator, Yoda, Admiral Yularen 132 episodes[12]
2009 Titan Maximum Chip
2010 The Boondocks Dr. Doomis Episode: "Smokin' with Cigarettes"
Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III Yoda, TV Announcer TV special
2011 Lego Star Wars: The Padawan Menace Yoda, narrator, Senator Yaun, Admiral Ackbar Television short[12]
2011–12 The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes Ultron-5 / Ultron-6, Jasper Sitwell, Professor Thorton 6 episodes[12]
Mad Morgan Freeman, HIM, Announcer, Narrator 4 episodes
2011–15 Archer Woodhouse, Hans Hessler 16 episodes
2012 Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out Narrator, Yoda Television short
2013 The Smurfs: The Legend of Smurfy Hollow Narrator Smurf Television short
The Legend of Korra Judge Hotah Episode: "Civil Wars: Part 2"[12]
The Eric Andre Show Announcer 10 episodes
Lady Gaga and the Muppets Holiday Spectacular Television special
2013–14 Lego Star Wars: The Yoda Chronicles Yoda, narrator, Red Guard Pilot 7 episodes
2014 The Powerpuff Girls: Dance Pantsed Professor Utonium, additional voices Television film
Saber Announcer Episode: "Return of the Threesome"
2015 Lego Star Wars: Droid Tales Narrator, Yoda, Ghost, Qui-Gon Jinn 5 episodes[12]
2016 The Grindhouse Radio Himself Episode: "GHR: Erin J. Cahill/Tom Kane"
2016–19 The Powerpuff Girls Professor Utonium, Him, Additional voices 61 episodes[12]
2017 Star Wars Rebels Colonel Yularen, Stormtrooper #3 Episode: "Through Imperial Eyes"
2017–18 Star Wars Forces of Destiny Yoda 3 episodes
2018 Fortnite: Aquavita Live Stream Lok Episode: "Season 4 RELEASE!"
2020 Sarah Cooper: Everything's Fine Narrator TV special
The Lego Star Wars Holiday Special Qui-Gon Jinn, Yoda Television film
2021 Star Wars: The Bad Batch Narrator Episode: "Aftermath"
Cake Trobotto Episode: "Dinner Party"

Video games edit

Year Title Role Notes Source
1994 Might and Magic: World of Xeen Additional voices Credited as Tom Keane
1995 The Dark Eye Narrator
1996 Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire Leebo PC version
Star Wars: X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter Imperial Officer #1, Rebel Pilot #4 Credited as Tom Kayne
1997 The Curse of Monkey Island Captain Rottingham, The Flying Welshman [12]
Pitfall 3-D: Beyond the Jungle Arcam, Scourge [12]
Interstate '76 Skeeter
1998 Star Wars: Rebellion Additional voices [12]
Grim Fandango Raoul, 2nd Mayan Mechanic, Gate Keeper, Cat Track Announcer [12]
Return to Krondor Additional voices
Star Wars: Droid Works C-3PO, British Droid, Male Pedestrian
Interstate '76 Nitro Pack Skeeter, Natty Dread
Interstate '76 Arsenal Skeeter
1999 Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace C-3PO, Barbo, Jym Lang [12]
Gabriel Knight 3: Blood of the Sacred, Blood of the Damned Mallory, Jesus [12]
Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance Commander Beckman, Golov Nakhym, Imperial Officer [12]
2000 Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles Yoda, Commander Droid, Gungan Guard #2 [12]
Star Wars Episode I: Racer Elan Mak, Slide Paramita [12]
Escape from Monkey Island Bagel the LUA Bar Patron, Pegnose Pete
Star Wars: Demolition Boba Fett, Bib Fortuna, General Otto
Ground Control: Dark Conspiracy Cardinal Galen Yi, Units #13 [12]
The Wild Thornberrys: Rambler Darwin [12]
Star Wars: Force Commander AT-AT Driver, ATC-Airfield, ATC-Star Destroyer
2001 Star Wars: Starfighter Mercenary Pilot, Wingman
Star Wars: Super Bombad Racing Yoda, Chancellor Valorum, Battle Droid [12]
Nicktoons Racing Darwin [12]
The Powerpuff Girls: Mojo's Pet Project Professor Utonium
Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds Boba Fett, C-3PO, Empire Missile Destroyer Captain, Imperial Air Cruiser Also Clone Campaigns
Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader Crix Madine, Imperial Pilot #2, Transport Captain #3
The Powerpuff Girls: Chemical X-Traction Professor Utonium, Him
2002 Star Wars: Racer Revenge Dax Gazaway, Shrivel Braittrand
Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter Yoda, Captain Juno
Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast Reborn 2, Rodian #1, Shadow Trooper
Star Wars: The Clone Wars Yoda
The Powerpuff Girls: Gameville Professor Utonium, Him
Kim Possible: Revenge of Monkey Fist Monkey Fist
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter M.C. Droid, Male Civilian #2, Longo Two-Guns
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Gandalf, Nali, Harry Goatleaf
The Powerpuff Girls: Relish Rampage Professor Utonium, Male Citizen #3, Monkey Man #2
2003 Rugrats Go Wild Darwin
RTX Red Rock M.E.L., Panel Voice
Star Trek: Elite Force II Additional voices
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Master Vandar Tokare, Uthar Wynn, Rolan Wann
Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy Boba Fett, Cultist #3, Stormtrooper #1
Star Wars Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike C-3PO, Crix Madine, Imperial Pilot #2
The Hobbit Narrator
2004 Star Wars: Battlefront Admiral Ackbar, Yoda
X-Men Legends Chuck Simms, Additional voices
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II - The Sith Lords Master Kavar, Master Vandar Tokare, Hussef
2005 Power Rangers S.P.D. Monster Episode: "Resurrection"
Dear Santa Santa Narration Television film
Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction Additional voices
Shadow of Rome Narrator, Additional voices [13]
Star Wars: Republic Commando Yoda, Captain Talbot, Trandoshan Slaver #2
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith Yoda, Cin Drallig, Neimoidian Guard
Star Wars: Battlefront II Yoda, Imperial Officer #3
2006 Star Wars: Empire at War C-3PO
Final Fantasy XII Marquis Halim Ondore IV English version [12]
Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy Additional voices
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Professor Charles Xavier, Grey Gargoyle, Kurse
Kim Possible: What's the Switch? Monkey Fist
Star Wars: Empire at War - Forces of Corruption Additional voices
Cartoon Network Racing Professor Utonium, Him
2008 Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures Indiana Jones
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Captain Ozzik Sturn, Kento Marek, Lobot, Imperial Officer Also Ultimate Sith Edition
Zen Pinball Magneto, C-3PO, Yoda
Soulcalibur IV Yoda English version[12]
Fracture Additional voices
Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Lightsaber Duels Yoda, narrator
2009 Cartoon Network Universe: FusionFall Professor Utonium, Him, Mr. Herriman
Wanted: Weapons of Fate Sloan
Wolfenstein Leonid Alexandrov
Call of Duty: World at War Takeo Masaki, Additional voices Uncredited
Batman: Arkham Asylum James "Jim" Gordon, Quincy Sharp, Louie Green, Amadeus Arkham
Fat Princess Narrator
Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Republic Heroes Narrator, C-3PO
Marvel Super Hero Squad Magneto
2010 Resonance of Fate Antourion English version [12]
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II – Chaos Rising Plague Champion
The Lord of the Rings: Aragon's Quest Gandalf, Gamling, Hama
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II Yoda, Rebel Pilot
Call of Duty: Black Ops Takeo Masaki, Dr. Schuster
2011 Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds Magneto
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II - Retribution Plague Champion
Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars Yoda
Thor: God of Thunder Odin
Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion Him
Iron Brigade Woodruff
Batman: Arkham City Quincy Sharp
Dance Central 2 Dr. Tan
The Lord of the Rings: War in the North Gandalf
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 Magneto English version
Star Wars: The Old Republic M1-4X, Commander Narlock, A-4P0
2012 Kinect Star Wars Yoda, C-3PO, Naturalist
The Secret World Sarge, Newsreader
Guild Wars 2 Narrator
Dance Central 3 Dr. Tan
Lego The Lord of the Rings Additional voices
PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale Narrator (Fat Princess), Vox Populi
Guardians of Middle-earth Gandalf
Call of Duty: Black Ops II Takeo Masaki Apocalypse DLC
2013 The Magic of Oz the Great and Powerful: Second Screen V.O. Narrator
Star Wars Pinball Yoda, narrator
Marvel Heroes Ultron Uncredited
The Smurfs 2: Travel the World Narrator Smurf
Batman: Arkham Origins Quincy Sharp Uncredited
2015 Disney Infinity 3.0 Yoda, Admiral Ackbar
Lego Dimensions Gandalf, Albus Dumbledore, Professor Utonium
Call of Duty: Black Ops III Takeo Masaki
Star Wars: Battlefront Admiral Ackbar
2016 Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens Admiral Ackbar, Yoda, Mon Calamari Officer
2017 Fortnite: Save the World Lok
Star Wars: Battlefront II Yoda, Admiral Ackbar
Liquid Metal Dr. Podd
2018 Bloons TD 6 Quincy
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Takeo Masaki, Dr. Schuster
Lego DC Super-Villains James "Jim" Gordon
2019 Dance Central (2019 video game) Dr. Tan
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order Magneto
2020 Star Wars: Squadrons Captain Amos, Additional voices
Ghost of Tsushima Tomotsugu, Additional voices
2021 Marvel Future Revolution Magneto
2022 Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Yoda, Qui-Gon Jinn, Admiral Ackbar Final role

Live-action edit

Year Title Role Notes
1995 Wish Me Luck Slag
A Nation Adrift Narrator Documentary
1998 Halloween H2O Dr. Samuel Loomis Voice[12]
1999 Infinity's Child Phleig Narrator Short film
2000 The Prophecy 3: The Ascent Angel Voice
Dracula 2000 Anchorman
2005 Dracula III: Legacy
2009 The Way It Went Down Gerard
2011 This Is Not a Movie Voice
2013 I Know That Voice Himself Documentary
2015 Just Another Tuesday Narrator Short film

Television edit

Year Title Role Notes
2006 78th Academy Awards Announcer
2008 80th Academy Awards
Frame 313: The JFK Assassination Theories Narrator Documentary
2009 The Old Man and the Seymour Short film
The Star Wars Comic Con '09 Spectacular Himself Television special
Important Things with Demetri Martin Revenger Announcer Episode: "Power"
2011 83rd Academy Awards Announcer
2013 84th Academy Awards
The Eric Andre Show

Awards and nominations edit

Year Title Accolade Results
2012 Star Wars: The Clone Wars Behind the Voice Actors Award for Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series Nominated
Behind the Voice Actors Award for Best Male Vocal Performance in a Television Series in a Supporting Role Nominated
Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds Behind the Voice Actors Award for Best Ensemble in a Video Game Nominated
Star Wars: The Clone Wars Behind the Voice Actors Award for Best New Vocal Interpretation of an Established Character Nominated
2013 Behind the Voice Actors Award for Best Performance in a Narrating Role Nominated
Behind the Voice Actors Award for Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series - Action/Drama Nominated
2015 Behind the Voice Actors Award for Best Male Vocal Performance in a Television Series in a Supporting Role - Action/Drama Nominated
Behind the Voice Actors Award for Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series - Action/Drama Nominated
2016 Lego Dimensions Behind the Voice Actors Award for Best Vocal Ensemble in a Video Game Won

References edit

  1. ^ a b Cost, Ben (December 31, 2020). "Famed 'Star Wars' voice actor Tom Kane unable to speak after stroke". New York Post. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  2. ^ Thomas, Kevin (December 20, 2002). "Serengeti surprise: a delightful family film". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  3. ^ "Disney monorail voice change: Walt Disney World changes narrator on monorail". OrlandoSentinel.com. June 28, 2012. Retrieved October 19, 2012.
  4. ^ "Disney monorail voice change: Walt Disney World changes narrator on monorail". tribunedigital-orlandosentinel. 28 June 2012.
  5. ^ Ayres, Andrea (April 16, 2019). "Admiral Ackbar actor miffed that Mon Calamari leader got fried in Star Wars: The Last Jedi". Syfy Wire. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  6. ^ "New Announcement at WDW Warns Guests Not Properly Wearing Masks Will Be Asked to Leave the Park". YouTube. October 18, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  7. ^ Melrose, Kevin (May 7, 2021). "s". CBR. Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  8. ^ Grater, Tom (December 31, 2020). "'Star Wars' & 'Archer' Voice Artist Tom Kane Suffers Stroke, Leaves Him Largely Unable To Speak". Deadline. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  9. ^ "STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS Voice Actor Tom Kane Has Suffered A Stroke & May Be Forced To Retire". ComicBookMovie.com. December 30, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  10. ^ "Popular Knights of the Old Republic Voice Actor Tom Kane Can't Return for Remake Due to Serious Health Reasons". Game Rant. 2021-09-11. Retrieved 2021-09-11.
  11. ^ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0437454/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0[user-generated source]
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc "Tom Kane (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  13. ^ "Shadow of Rome (2005 Video Game)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 23 January 2021. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of the title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)

External links edit