Thomas Kane Roberts (April 15, 1962 – May 18, 2026) was an American voice actor. He was known for his work in animation and video games, most notably the Star Wars franchise, voicing established characters Yoda, Admiral Ackbar, Boba Fett, Qui-Gon Jinn, and C-3PO. Other notable roles include Professor Utonium, Talking Dog, and HIM in The Powerpuff Girls, Darwin Thornberry in The Wild Thornberrys, Mr. Herriman in Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, and Woodhouse in Archer, taking the role over from George Coe following his death in 2015.
Kane provided his voice as an announcer for theme park attractions at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, and served as an announcer for several Academy Awards ceremonies, as well as for the Adult Swim series The Eric Andre Show in its second season.
Early life Thomas Kane Roberts was born in Overland Park, Kansas on April 15, 1962.
He attended Shawnee Mission South High School and graduated from the University of Kansas in 1984, where he began at Lucasfilm handling miscellaneous for small voice parts in video games.
Career
Kane began his voice acting career in 1977, when he was 15 years old. Some of his best-known roles include Jedi Master Yoda and Admiral Yularen in Star Wars: The Clone Wars feature film and television 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 in Kim Possible, Professor Utonium and HIM in The Powerpuff Girls, Oxnard Montalvo in The Angry Beavers, and Darwin Thornberry in The Wild Thornberrys.
He 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 Industrial Light & Magic's motion capture technology. In Call of Duty: World at War, Black Ops, Black Ops II, Black Ops III and Black Ops IV, he provided the voice of Takeo Masaki, a Japanese WWII soldier and WWI warrior in the Zombies game mode. In Fortnite: Save the World, Kane voiced the robot Lok.
In the arena of non-animation voiceover work, Kane recorded commercials, film trailers and television promos. In addition, he had been the announcer for the AFI Life Achievement Award show twice, as well as the 78th, 80th, 83rd, 84th, and 90th Academy Awards, and also did the voiceover for the Disney's FastPlay bumper in 2004. 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, replacing Anthony Hopkins, who played the character in the film.
On April 13, 2012, Kane replaced Joe Hursh as the voice of the Walt Disney World Monorail System. His voice was used until August 2026.
In 2013, he became 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, succeeding Erik Bauersfeld. 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. He also narrated the series premiere of Star Wars: The Bad Batch in May 2021.
Personal life Kane married his wife Cindy Roberts in 1982; they remained married until his death. The pair had three biological children, and adopted six others.
Illness and death In November 2020, Kane suffered a stroke which left him with significant weakness on the right side of his body and damage to his speaking, writing, and reading abilities. In September 2021, his daughter Sam confirmed that he had to retire from voice acting. She gave regular updates on Facebook about his condition.
Kane later died from complications of the stroke at a hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 18, 2026, at the age of 64. His talent agency, Galactic Productions, announced the news on Facebook. Others such as The Powerpuff Girls and Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends creator Craig McCracken, and the titular cast members of The Powerpuff Girls of Cathy Cavadini, Tara Strong, and E. G. Daily paid their respects to him on their social medias, with the latter three reuniting with him at the Lexington Comic and Toy Convention in March 2026, his final public appearance prior to his death.
Filmography
Voice acting Film YearTitleRoleNotes2001Scooby-Doo and the Cyber ChaseProfessor KaufmanDirect-to-video2002The Powerpuff Girls MovieProfessor UtoniumThe Wild Thornberrys MovieDarwin Thornberry2003Rugrats Go WildDracula II: AscensionDoctor2007Shrek the ThirdGuard #12008Star Wars: The Clone WarsYoda, narrator, Admiral YularenNext Avengers: Heroes of TomorrowTony Stark / Iron Man, UltronDirect-to-videoFoster's Home for Imaginary Friends: Destination ImaginationMr. HerrimanTelevision film2009Hulk VersusThe ProfessorDistrict 9News Reporter9The Chancellor2010Angelo Della MorteAzreal Collins2011Star Tours – The Adventures ContinueAdmiral Ackbar Theme park attractionHughes the ForceTK-5703The SmurfsNarrator Smurf 2012Red TailsBomber PilotUncreditedStar Wars Droids: The Jawa AdventureC-3PO Short filmHalloween Awakening: The Legacy of Michael MyersDr. Samuel LoomisGrand DeceptionNarratorDocumentary2013The Smurfs 2 Narrator SmurfThe Smurfs: The Legend of Smurfy Hollow2015Star Wars: The Force Awakens Additional voices2016Rogue One2017Star Wars: The Last JediAdmiral Ackbar2018Solo: A Star Wars Story Additional voices2019Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Television YearTitleRoleNotes1992Who's the Boss?AnnouncerEpisode: "Tony, Can You Spare a Dime?"The Legend of Prince ValiantAdditional voicesEpisode: "The Curse"1993Great Wonders of the WorldNarratorDocumentary1995–1996Iron ManH.O.M.E.R., Century, Stingray, Ghost, Sunturion8 episodesThe Twisted Tales of Felix the CatAdditional voicesUnknown episodes1996Phantom 2040Mr. Hand, Vagrant, GP BiotEpisode: "The Second Time Around"Wing Commander AcademyAdditional voicesEpisode: "On Both Your Houses"1996–1997The Incredible HulkScimitar, H.O.M.E.R.Episodes: ”The Lost Village” (Scimitar);
”Helping Hand, Iron Fist” (H.O.M.E.R.)1997DuckmanGene Vuuck, Bill ClintonSpider-Man: The Animated SeriesDoctor DoomEpisode: "Secret Wars, Chapter 3: Doom"1997–1998The Angry BeaversOxnard Montalvo, Mayor, Jack Stagger, Male Hero, Archaeoligist, HeroTeam Knight RiderDante22 episodes1997, 1999Cow and ChickenAnnouncer, Roman Soldier, Voice on TV, Super Hero #12 episodes1997–2001Johnny BravoBerry Vanderbolten, Pantene Claw, Golf Announcer, Tabby8 episodes1998–2004The Wild ThornberrysDarwin Thornberry, additional voicesUnknown episodes1998–2005The Powerpuff GirlsProfessor Utonium, HIM, Talking Dog, Stanley Whitfield, additional voices71 episodes1998I Am WeaselAnchor Man, Master of Ceremonies, ConductorEpisode: "I Are Music Man"1999–2007Xyber 9: New DawnCaptain Montand3 episodes2000Buzz Lightyear of Star CommandSoldier, TechEpisode: "Strange Invasion"Psyko FerretNarratorTelevision film2001Cartoon Cartoon FridaysHimEpisode: "Mojo Jojo Takes Over"The Wild Thornberrys: The Origin of DonnieDarwin ThornberryTelevision filmHeavy Gear: The Animated SeriesGreco2002Totally Spies!C.H.A.D., Helmut2002–2007Kim PossibleLord Monkey Fist, additional voices11 episodes2003Codename: Kids Next DoorSimonKim Possible: A Sitch in TimeMonkey Fist, Real Estate AgentTelevision film2003–2005Star Wars: Clone WarsYoda9 episodesDuck DodgersWalter Carbonite, President, Cooter, Nostrillian Captain6 episodes2004CatDogEvil Eric Disney Fast Play Announcer2004–2005Conspiracy? Host11 episodesThe Grim Adventures of Billy & MandyProfessor Utonium, Cap'n, Captain Heifer2 episodes2004–2009Foster's Home for Imaginary FriendsMr. Herriman, Sloppy Moe, additional voices66 episodes2005Teen TitansBobEpisode: "Employee of the Month"Avatar: The Last AirbenderAdditional voicesEpisode: "Imprisoned"The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy GeniusDean CainEpisode: "Jimmy Goes to College"UFO FilesNarrator2 episodes2005–2006The X'sLorenzo, Old Guy, Alien8 episodes2006Four Eyes!Headmaster PayneEpisode: "Pilot"The Case for a Creator NarratorDocumentaryInside Saddam's Reign of TerrorDocumentary2006–20099/11 Commission Report16 episodes2006–2011Robot ChickenAdditional voices5 episodes2006Ben 10Ultimos, Arctiguana, Donovan Grandsmith2007Robot Chicken: Star WarsC-3POTV special2008Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode IIYodaUncreditedTV SpecialThe Powerpuff Girls Rule!!!Professor Utonium, Him, Talking DogTelevision filmBack at the BarnyardFreddy's DadEpisode:"Meet the Ferrets" 2008–2009Wolverine and the X-MenErik Lehnsherr / Magneto, Professor Thorton13 episodes2008–2014, 2020Star Wars: The Clone WarsNarrator, Yoda, Admiral Yularen132 episodes2009Titan MaximumChipEpisode: "One Billion Dead Grandparents"2010The BoondocksDr. DoomisEpisode: "Smokin' with Cigarettes"Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode IIIYoda, TV AnnouncerTV special2011Lego Star Wars: The Padawan MenaceYoda, narrator, Senator Yaun, Admiral AckbarTelevision short2011–2012The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest HeroesUltron, Jasper Sitwell, Professor Thorton6 episodesMadMorgan Freeman, HIM, Announcer, Narrator4 episodes2011–2015ArcherWoodhouse, Hans Hessler16 episodes2012Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes OutNarrator, YodaTelevision short2013The Smurfs: The Legend of Smurfy HollowNarrator SmurfTelevision shortThe Legend of KorraJudge HotahEpisode: "Civil Wars: Part 2"Lady Gaga and the Muppets Holiday SpectacularAnnouncerTelevision special2013–2014Lego Star Wars: The Yoda ChroniclesYoda, narrator, Red Guard Pilot7 episodes2014The Powerpuff Girls: Dance PantsedProfessor Utonium, additional voicesTelevision filmSaberAnnouncerEpisode: "Return of the Threesome"2015Lego Star Wars: Droid TalesNarrator, Yoda, Ghost, Qui-Gon Jinn5 episodes2016The Grindhouse RadioHimselfEpisode: "GHR: Erin J. Cahill/Tom Kane"2016–2019The Powerpuff GirlsProfessor Utonium, Him, additional voices61 episodes2017Star Wars RebelsColonel Yularen, Stormtrooper #3Episode: "Through Imperial Eyes"2017–2018Star Wars Forces of DestinyYoda3 episodes2018Fortnite: Aquavita Live StreamLokEpisode: "Season 4 RELEASE!"2020Sarah Cooper: Everything's FineNarratorTV specialThe Lego Star Wars Holiday SpecialQui-Gon Jinn, YodaTelevision film2021Star Wars: The Bad BatchNarratorEpisode: "Aftermath"CakeTrobottoEpisode: "Dinner Party"
Video games