Veteran voice actor Dan Hennessey has died aged 82, his family have confirmed.
Canadian Henessey’s career spanned the 1980s, 90s and 00s, In that time, he voiced a host of cartoon characters including the long-suffering Chief Quimby on Inspector Gadget, and Brave Heart Lion from The Care Bears movies and TV show, whose catchphrase was “Charge!”
He also lent his voice to George Raccoon on The Raccoons, Father Bear on Little Bear, plus, other voice credits on RoboCop, Babar, Beetlejuice, Popples, My Pet Monster, X-Men: The Animated Series and Star Wars animated spin-off Ewoks.
TMZ reports that he died on Wednesday, November 13 at home in his sleep from complications associated with Parkinson's disease.
He is survived by his wife Patricia and their two daughters Skye and Eden.
In a statement to the US news outlet, his loved ones hailed him as "an incredible son, brother, husband, father, friend, and performer."
They added: "We are so touched by all those letting us know how he impacted them through his craft, from stage to voice acting and direction. We are warmed by the fact that he provided comfort to a generation of kids around the world by giving voice to beloved animated characters like Braveheart Lion and Fatherbear, who were the personification of his kind and exuberant personality.”
In a nod to his best known animated alter-ego, they concluded: “That his contributions to voice acting and contagious spirit live on in perpetually is a unique gift to those who greatly mourn his loss. He truly was the bravest heart we knew.”
The family have requested donations in his memory to be made in his name to the Michael J. Fox foundation for Parkinson's Research.
