Your support helps us to tell the story
In my reporting on women's reproductive rights, I've witnessed the critical role that independent journalism plays in protecting freedoms and informing the public.
Your support allows us to keep these vital issues in the spotlight. Without your help, we wouldn't be able to fight for truth and justice.
Every contribution ensures that we can continue to report on the stories that impact lives
Kelly Rissman
US News Reporter
Peter Renaday, the voice actor best known for playing Master Splinter in the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series, has died. He was 89.
The Louisiana-born actor also gave voice to Abraham Lincoln in The Hall of Presidents at Walt Disney World.
His death was confirmed in a social media post by his former TMNT castmate Townsend Coleman, who played Michelangelo.
On X/Twitter, Coleman wrote: “Folks, I’m devastated this morning to learn of the passing yesterday of our dear sensei, Peter Renaday.
“Pete was one of the most genuine, salt of the earth people I have ever known and I will miss him dearly. I had the privilege of visiting with him a month ago and he was as vibrant as ever, at 89 just as endearingly silly, smart and talented as I’ve always known him to be.
“Ugh, this is hard… a Disney legend and our dear Master Splinter— rest well, my sweet friend.”
The actor’s cause of death has not yet been announced. TMZ reports that law enforcement did a welfare check at his Burbank home on Sunday and found him dead inside.
Renaday was born in New Iberia, Louisiana on June 9, 1935. At the age of 30 he made his television debut in an episode of war drama Combat!, and the following year provided the voice of a pilot in Disney’s Dick Van Dyke-led animated adventure Lt. Robin Crusoe, U.S.N.
That was the beginning of a long association with Disney that included live-action roles in in films such as 1968’s The Love Bug and voice roles in animations including 1970’s The Aristocats and 1977’s The Rescuers.
In 1987 he was cast in the key role of Master Splinter in the first animated adaptation of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, a role he held until the show’s finale in 1996. He also reprised the role for 1990’s TMNT: Coming Out of Their Shells live-action concert event at Radio City Music Hall.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Throughout the 1990s Renaday also lent his voice to a host of other classic cartoons, including Darkwing Duck, Animaniacs and Iron Man: The Animated Series.
Renaday can also be heard in many video games, such as Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, From Russia with Love and Assassin's Creed.
Renaday was married to Florence “Flo” Daniel, who spent 35 years working at Walt Disney Studio’s music department, from 1979 until her death in 2011.
