Tom Kane

Birth Date:

April 15, 1962

Birth Name:

Thomas Kane Roberts

Birth Place:

Overland Park, Kansas, United States

Nick Name:

Tom

Film Debut:

Scooby Doo and the Cyber Chase 2001

Breakthrough Film:

Star Wars: The Clone Wars 2008

Biography

Tom Kane was an American voice actor whose commanding voice and range made him a recognizable performer in animation, video games, and the Star Wars universe. Born Thomas Kane Roberts on April 15, 1962, in Overland Park, Kansas, Kane began working in voice-over while still a teenager. By the time he was fifteen, he had already started recording commercials in the Kansas City area. He later moved to California, where his career expanded into animation, film, television, advertising, video games, and award-show announcing.

Kane became especially prominent during the 1990s and 2000s through a succession of memorable animated roles. He voiced Professor Utonium and HIM in The Powerpuff Girls, Darwin in The Wild Thornberrys, Lord Monkey Fist in Kim Possible, and numerous characters in other animated productions. His video-game work was equally extensive, with roles across Star Wars, Call of Duty, Batman, X-Men, and other franchises. His first feature-film appearance came in the direct-to-video animated production Scooby-Doo and the Cyber Chase in 2001, in which he voiced Professor Kaufman. He subsequently appeared in several theatrical and animated films, including The Powerpuff Girls Movie, The Wild Thornberrys Movie, Shrek the Third, and The Clone Wars.

Kane’s career reached a new level of recognition through his work in Star Wars. He voiced Yoda and Admiral Yularen in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and became the narrator who introduced every episode of the animated series. He also voiced Admiral Ackbar in The Last Jedi and contributed to numerous Star Wars films, television productions, and video games. Beyond character acting, Kane was a sought-after announcer, lending his voice to Academy Awards broadcasts and other events. In November 2020, he suffered a stroke that significantly affected his ability to speak, read, and write, leading to his retirement from voice acting. Kane died on May 18, 2026, aged 64. His distinctive performances, particularly as Yoda and the narrator of The Clone Wars, left a lasting legacy.

Movie Portfolio