American actor known for voicing Master Splinter in original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series passes away, UK News reports
US voice actor Peter Renaday, known for his role as Master Splinter in the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series, has passed away at the age of 89.
His former Ninja Turtles castmate Townsend Coleman, who voiced Michelangelo in the show, confirmed the news on the X social media platform on Tuesday.
Renaday voiced Master Splinter, a wise and stoic mutant rat who was the turtles’ adoptive half-father and martial arts teacher, from 1987 to 1996.
Police conducted a welfare check at the voice actor’s home in Burbank, California, on Sunday and discovered him deceased inside, according to TMZ.
His niece Mindy Zachary told the celebrity news site that his air conditioning had been out and his home had been excessively hot due to a recent heatwave in California.
She mentioned that while the cause of death has not been officially confirmed, the family believes no further investigation is necessary.
Coleman, 70, expressed being “devastated” by the passing of their “dear sensei” – a term used by the ninja turtles to refer to Master Splinter.
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Master Splinter in the original series of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Pic: LMX Flix
He continued: “Pete was one of the most genuine, salt of the earth people I have ever known and I will miss him dearly. I had the privilege of visiting with him a month ago and he was as vibrant as ever, at 89 just as endearingly silly, smart and talented as I’ve always known him to be.
“Ugh, this is hard… a Disney legend and our dear Master Splinter – rest well, my sweet friend.”
Renaday also voiced Abraham Lincoln in The Hall Of Presidents – a major attraction at Walt Disney World in Florida.
He also had minor roles in a 1992 animated series of Batman and the Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries between 1995 and 1999.
