NINJA Turtles voice actor Peter Renaday has died at the age of 89.
He voiced Hamato Yoshi/Master Splinter on the animated TV show.
Police found Peter dead inside his home in Burbank, California, on Sunday after receiving a call for a wellness check, TMZ reported.
He appeared to have died from natural causes, and police said his death is not being investigated by a medical examiner.
Peter left behind his wife Florence “Flo” Daniel, whom he was married to from 1979 until her death in 2011.
Florence worked as a music department secretary and an executive secretary to two heads of the department for Walt Disney Studios for 35 years.
He voiced the role on TMNT from 1987 until the show’s finale in 1996.
The voice actor had a hugely successful film and TV career for the past six decades.
Peter also voiced Abraham Lincoln in the Hall of Presidents and Henry and Max in the Country Bear Jamboree in Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
More of Peter’s voice work included Animaniacs, Transformers, the animated series of Batman and Superman, multiple Disney movies, and video games.
As the news broke that Peter died, fans paid tribute to the voice actor on social media.
“Cheese & Crackers! Not only have we lost James Earl Jones but we also lost Peter Renaday as well. why are we losing so many legends this year? RIP,” one fan wrote.
“Peter Renaday, our beloved 1987 Master Splinter, has passed away let’s take this opportunity to celebrate the life of such beloved actor who delighted us for nearly a century!” tweeted another.
“You gotta be kidding me right now, First James Earl Jones, then Emi Shinohara, and now Peter Renaday is gone too? This is truly a Heartbreaking week right now…RIP Legend,” added a third.
“Bob Newhart, James Earl Jones, and now Peter Renaday. Hasn’t 2024 taken enough from us already?” an X user wrote.
“Man, I’m sad,” said another.
Others simply wrote RIP (rest in peace).
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was based on the comic book characters of the same name by Kevin Eastman and Peter Lair.
The show was set in New York City and followed the turtles – Michelangelo, Donatello, Leonardo, and Raphael – as they battled the Shredder, Krang, and numerous other villains.
Splinter, a mutant rat, served as a mentor to the turtles.
He was also their ninjutsu, martial arts instructor, and their adoptive father.
