Ninja Turtles voice actor Peter Renaday is found dead at age 89
Peter Renaday, best known for his role as the original voice of Master Splinter in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, has died at the age of 89.
The prolific voice actor was found dead in his Burbank, California home on Sunday after a “welfare check” was conducted in response to a phone call.
Police confirmed the news of his death to TMZ on Tuesday.
According to the news agency, his case “appears to be natural and is not being treated as a coroner’s case.”
Renaday was first cast in the role of Hamato Yoshi/Splinter, the mentor of the eponymous turtles from 1987 until the series finale in 1996.
Peter Renaday has died at the age of 89 (photo in 2017)
The Louisiana native later reprised the role in a live-action concert titled TMNT: Coming Out of Their Shells, which was taped at Radio City Music Hall and released on VHS in 1990.
Other roles he has played include voicing Abraham Lincoln in The Hall of Presidents and Henry and Max in Country Bear Jamboree at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
In addition, he has appeared in Transformers, Batman, Superman, several Disney films, such as The Milkman and Le Petit Café Chef in The Aristocats, and in various video games.
He even lent his voice to attractions at the Disney parks for Walt Disney World’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (as Captain Nemo), The Hall of Presidents (as Abraham Lincoln from 1994-2008), and the Disneyland version of The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (as the narrator).
The star was previously married to Florence ‘Flo’ Daniel from 1979 until her death on February 18, 2011.
His late wife worked for more than thirty years as a secretary in the music department of Walt Disney Studios.
He is best known for his role as the original voice of Master Splinter (pictured above) in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles