Voice of He-Man Dies at 88; Skeletor & She-Ra Mourn

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Next year, a fresh adaptation of the iconic character He-Man is set to appear on the big screen, but tragically, the voice actor behind the original animated version of this character, the esteemed Erwin, has passed away at the age of 88. Known for his start in commercials during the late 1960s, Erwin contributed to various roles over the years, yet it’s his portrayal of He-Man that will undoubtedly be most cherished by many. In addition to embodying He-Man, Erwin also gave life to the characteristically dim-witted Beast Man within the show.

As a die-hard film fanatic reminiscing on the past, I can confirm that the news of Erwin’s passing in late December due to natural causes has left me and countless ’80s kids with a tinge of melancholy. This somber announcement resonated not only among us fans but also reached Erwin’s costars, Alan Oppenheimer, the man behind Skeletor’s voice, and Melendy Britt, who lent her voice to She-Ra. In a heartfelt statement reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Alan Oppenheimer expressed his feelings, stating:

Collaborating with John Erwin was like a tale filled with unconventionality, proficiency, and the unexpected. As a versatile individual, he was an actor, scriptwriter, commercial performer, musician, painter, and simply a delightful gentleman. He left an indelible impact on my life.

Britt, who frequently co-starred with Erwin during their appearances together on shows like “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe” and its spinoff series “She-Ra: Princess of Power“, paid a heartfelt tribute to him. The moving dedication is available in its entirety below, as penned by her.

Beyond just being friends for four decades, we formed an unbreakable team. You were He-Man, I was She-Ra. It’s heartbreaking to lose someone like my brother. Yet, I know life is not eternal. I am grateful for the voice messages you left me and the memories of you as He-Man, saying “I have the Power!” Truly, you had and still have that power. The happiness and companionship you bestowed upon me will continue to empower me with strength, just as you always encouraged me to share. After all, we were not just characters…we were forever twins.

John Erwin’s Career Beyond He-Man

In addition to being the supreme ruler of the universe, Erwin is recognized for lending his voice to Morris the Cat in numerous 9Lives cat food commercials during the late 1960s. He also made guest appearances on TV shows such as Clint Eastwood’s Rawhide, voicing Randy, a role he later reprised in the animated Sabrina the Teenage Witch series.

Moreover, he lent his vocal talents to shows such as Groovie Ghoulies, Foofur, Spacecats, and movies like Babe, Looker, and Back to the Future Part II. Notably, in 2005, he emerged from retirement to voice He-Man once more at Seth MacFarlane’s request for an episode of Family Guy, making this one of his last roles.

Fans expressed their sorrow upon hearing the news, noting that Erwin was truly “the” He-Man. Our sympathies go out to his loved ones during this difficult time. As his fellow actor put it, he indeed possessed great power.

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2025-01-31 23:01