He-Man and Archie voice actor John Erwin dies aged 88
Voice actor John Erwin has died aged 88.
The star was best known for voicing He-Man in cartoon He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, as well as Reggie Mantle in the Archie comics.
He died of natural causes on December 20 at his home in California, his representatives confirmed.
Erwin was also known for playing Morris the Cat in commercials for cat food brand 9Lives through out the 70s.
He was also seen in front of the camera appearing as cattle driver Teddy on Rawhide from the second season, alongside Clint Eastwood.
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe ran from 1983 to 1985, and he continued voicing the superhero and his alter ego, Prince Adam, on She-Ra: Princess of Power from 1985 to 1987.
‘Working with John Erwin was a ballad of irreverence, professionalism and surprise,’ Alan Oppenheimer, who voiced the evil Skeletor on He-Man, shared in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
‘He was a series actor, writer, performer of commercials, musician, painter and an all-around lovely gentleman, an indelible addition to my life.’
Melendy Britt, who voiced He-Man’s superheroine sister She-Ra, also paid tribute, writing on Facebook: ‘For 40 years, we had been a team. We were He Man and She Ra. To have “my brother” pass on is a tremendous sorrow even though I know life is not infinite.
‘The tears I have are because John was such a special quiet man and we shared a very special relationship in those roles as twin brother and sister.
‘Your body of work will live in the hearts of so many people to whom you gave love and strength and hope and laughter in times of difficulty and the need to be calmed by laughter and hope. Working with you gave me strength and hope… and caring as well.’
‘I’m glad I have a few line of your voice messages to me to listen to, and as well, watch as you portrayed He Man and said “I have the Power”! You did and still do,’ she added.
Erwin also starred in series Citizen Soldier, and played a soldier in 13 Fighting Men, which starred Grant Williams.
He first voiced Reggie in The Archie Show in 1986, and continued playing that character on other programmes including Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
He came out of retirement in 2005 to voice He-Man for one last time in an episode of Family Guy.
The star, who also featured in in films Everybody’s All-American and Back To The Future Part II, had a very private life and provided no photographs of himself even to his PR firm.
According to reports, Erwin is survived by his children and grandchildren.
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