Thank you for the memories ❤️🕊️
These legendary voices became part of generations of childhoods.
From anime and animation to gaming, they helped create some of the voices that became part of our childhoods, our favorite shows, and the stories we still return to.
Michael McFarland — For many English-speaking Dragon Ball fans, his Master Roshi became the definitive voice of the Turtle Hermit. He also voiced Yajirobe, Baby Vegeta, Buggy the Clown in One Piece, and Jean Havoc in Fullmetal Alchemist, while directing numerous anime dubs.
Peter Cullen — The voice that became inseparable from Optimus Prime. For more than four decades, Cullen gave the Autobot leader his strength, dignity, compassion, and unmistakable presence. He was also the beloved Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh and provided the iconic vocal effects for the Predator.
Tim Curry — A performer whose range seemed limitless, from Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Pennywise in It to Wadsworth in Clue and countless animated characters. His work crossed stage, film, television, and voice acting for generations.
Dolly Parton — More than a country music superstar, Dolly became a songwriter, actress, producer, businesswoman, and philanthropist whose influence reached far beyond music. With songs like “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You,” along with her work in 9 to 5 and the Imagination Library, her legacy reaches both entertainment and generations of children.
Francisco Reséndez — A veteran whose work reached generations through Ord in Dragon Tales, Scooby-Doo, Commander Pixis in Attack on Titan, and Makarov Dreyar in Fairy Tail. His work as a dubbing director also helped shape the Spanish-language versions of major productions.
Hayden Panettiere — From Claire Bennet in Heroes and Juliette Barnes in Nashville to Kairi in the Kingdom Hearts games, Panettiere left an impact across television, film, and gaming. Her career began when she was a child, making her part of many viewers’ earliest memories of Hollywood.
Daveigh Chase — The voice of Lilo in Lilo & Stitch and the performer behind Samara Morgan in The Ring. Those two roles alone placed her on opposite ends of pop culture, showing the remarkable range she displayed from a very young age.
Tom Kane — One of the most prolific voices in modern animation, Kane became especially beloved for Yoda, Admiral Yularen, and the narrator of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. He was also the voice of Professor Utonium in The Powerpuff Girls and worked across hundreds of productions.
Michael Donovan — A Canadian dubbing veteran whose voice became familiar to anime fans through Master Roshi in Dragon Ball, Ryoga Hibiki in Ranma ½, Zouken Matou in Fate/Zero, and Suikotsu in Inuyasha. He also contributed extensively to Western animation and voice direction.
Different voices. Different characters. Different generations.
But there is one thing they all share:
They gave fictional characters something human, a voice, a personality, and a memory that could stay with us long after the credits rolled.
Every time we revisit Dragon Ball, Transformers, Star Wars, The Powerpuff Girls, Lilo & Stitch, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, or the countless other worlds they helped bring to life, their work gets another moment to live.
The voices may have left us, but the characters will keep speaking. And through them, these legends will keep being heard. ❤️🕊️
Forever in our hearts.
This entire musical score gives me a lot of feelings.
Ninjago's Master of the Mountain will always be extra special to me, as I'd never have had the honor of meeting Kirby Morrow otherwise.
I grew up with his work, but to me, his legacy is his kindness.
Alright — so here’s what I think is going on.
Bungie MIGHT be finishing the shattered cycle content. It’s not necessarily a continuation of Destiny 2, but it’s also not nothing. It’s not Destiny 3 obviously, and they’ll likely still keep the game in its “end of service” sandbox.
The voice of Goku, Cyclops and Miroku passed away 6 years ago at just 47 years old. Today would've been his 53rd birthday 🕊️🎂
Kirby Morrow became one of those performers whose work quietly connected completely different generations of animation and anime fans. Some grew up with him as Miroku, others knew him as Trowa Barton or Goku, and younger audiences spent years hearing him as Cole in Ninjago.
Some of his most memorable roles included:
Cole (Ninjago)
Miroku (Inuyasha)
Goku (Dragon Ball Z)
Scott Summers / Cyclops (X-Men: Evolution)
Trowa Barton (Mobile Suit Gundam Wing)
Van Fanel (The Vision of Escaflowne)
Teru Mikami (Death Note)
Michelangelo (Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation)
Hot Shot (Transformers: Cybertron)
Rey Za Burrel (Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny)
Jay (Class of the Titans)
Prince Aikka (Ōban Star-Racers)
ElecMan.EXE (MegaMan NT Warrior)
Kirby left us at only 47, far too early for a career that had already reached so many beloved worlds. On what would have been his 53rd birthday, his legacy lives on through ninjas, superheroes, Saiyans, Gundam pilots and anime favorites that fans still return to today. ❤️
Happy heavenly birthday, legend! 🕯️