As a movie lover with a deep appreciation for the craft and the people behind it, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of loss upon hearing about the demise of David Graham. This remarkable man, who lived an extraordinary life spanning nearly a century, was not just a voice actor; he was the embodiment of some of our most cherished characters from childhood to adulthood.
David Graham, a renowned figure who brought beloved characters such as Grandpa Pig, Parker from Thunderbirds, and the original Daleks of Doctor Who to life on screen, passed away at the age of 99. Over various generations, he made an indelible mark with his iconic voice roles, and even into his 90s, he continued working, reprising his Thunderbirds character in the revamped Thunderbirds Are Go series.
A British-born actor, who hailed from London in 1925, later relocated to New York alongside other family members. After serving in the Royal Air Force, he honed his acting skills at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre. Upon returning to England, he made various television appearances until crossing paths with producer and writer Gerry Anderson, who was creating several puppet productions. His talent for impersonating accents opened doors for him as a voice actor, leading to his debut in the western puppet series Four Feather Falls.
After that, Graham was featured in Supercar, Fireball XL5, and Stingray, eventually landing a role on the groundbreaking BBC science fiction show, “Doctor Who.” Unbeknownst to him at the time, Graham played a significant part in shaping one of the series’ most enduring villains: the Daleks. Working alongside Peter Hawkins, he contributed to the creation of the Daleks’ distinctive voice, which was heard in every episode during William Hartnell’s tenure as The Doctor. He also collaborated on the Doctor Who films starring Peter Cushing in the 1960s, specifically “Dr. Who and the Daleks” and “Daleks’ Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.” In later years, he reprised his role to record new dialogue for the colorized remake of “The Daleks,” released to celebrate the show’s 60th anniversary.
Thunderbirds and Peppa Pig Brought Later Success for Graham
I had the privilege of assuming various significant roles in the legendary “Thunderbirds” series by Anderson, including Gordon Tracy, Brains, and Parker, Lady Penelope’s chauffeur, to name a few. Furthermore, I was chosen to lend my voice to the ominous figure of George Orwell’s Big Brother for a groundbreaking Super Bowl commercial that showcased the first Apple Macintosh computer.
In a new light for fresh viewers, Graham is recognized as a distinct character’s voice; Grandpa Pig from the incredibly popular show Peppa Pig. Since 2004, he has also lent his voice to Mr. Zebra and Father Christmas. His endearing performances have endeared him to three different age groups, and it appears that his role in Peppa Pig could make him an icon for yet another future generation, as the series’ popularity remains strong after two decades.
I’m deeply grieving to announce the passing of the extraordinary David Graham. Known for lending his voice to Parker, Gordon Tracy, Brains, and numerous other characters in our productions at Anderson Entertainment, David was more than just a talented actor to us. He was a cherished friend who brought joy and warmth to our team. We will profoundly miss you, David. Our thoughts are with you, dear friend, and with your loved ones during this difficult time.
In a heartfelt tribute through BBC, TV producer Jamie Anderson – son of Thunderbirds‘ creator Anderson – personally honored the actor as well.
Recently, I was among 2,000 enthusiastic fans of Gerry Anderson at a concert in Birmingham, where we celebrated his birthday with heartfelt singing. What a wonderful moment it was! However, merely a few weeks later, we are mourning his passing. His work spanned from the Daleks to Grandpa Pig and countless voices for Anderson’s shows, including Brains, Gordon Tracy, and the legendary Parker. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved his work.
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2024-09-21 14:32