Coming home today, listening to NPR, I heard that actor James Avery had passed away. As most TMNT fans know, one of Avery's notable voice-acting jobs was ably providing the voice of the Shredder in the first TMNT animated series.
I offer my condolences to his family and friends. -- PL
Growing up wondering who did the voice and not understanding until a few years ago, it was quite a thrill to know that Uncle Phil provided the first Shredder voice, and Mr. Avery knew that he liked roles of conflict and determination. You can clearly hear it watching the original series, in which the replacement voices don't do any justice. I'll never forget all those insults you gave to everyone in the show by building our vocabulary, and of course working with Pat Fraley to help make the Shredder/Krang chemistry its legendary status. RIP and have a good time up there with Tony Jay (the voice of Dregg which replaced Shredder late in the original animated series).
ReplyDeleteAbout two years ago, I read that Will Smith's "Why don't he want me?" monologue in Fresh Prince - the one about his dad - was pretty much improvised, a raw, emotional moment that reflected Smith's own anguish about his absent father. And knowing that, watching that scene again, one of the things that really struck me was the enormous human compassion Avery shows. He just reaches out to Will, the character and the real person, and takes him in his arms.
ReplyDeleteLess seriously, that he could be such a big-hearted, warm guy and also such a great Shredder speaks to his acting chops too.
An unfortunate time, but he still had a great legacy for his work, and his untainted reputation will live on within the community. Hi voice talent was great, he was hilarious, and just talented all around.
ReplyDeleteSad to see him go, and we will very much miss him.
Did you ever get to meet him in person?
ReplyDeleteNo. -- PL
DeleteI didn't know until recently that James Avery (Uncle Phil) played the Shredder in the original cartoon series.
ReplyDeleteContinue... He will be missed.
ReplyDelete