John Erwin dead: Beloved voice actor behind ‘He-Man’ cartoon & ‘Morris the Cat’ passes away aged 88 as tributes pour in
THE iconic voice behind He-Man has tragically passed away at the age of 88.
TV legend John Erwin died of natural causes in his California home after spending decades voicing beloved TV stars including Reggie Mantle in the Archie cartoons and Morris the Cat.
Erwin's representatives announced his death and said he was found "around December 20” in Camarillo.
He began his illustrious career as a voice actor playing the role of grumpy Reggie Mantle in the series The Archies in 1968.
A year later, his voice became synonymous across the US when he starred in dozens of commercials as the snarky Morris the Cat.
The orange tabby cat was the face of the 9Lives brand of cat food and was seen as one of the nation's favourite felines at the time.
His career then continued on an upward trajectory when he landed the lead role in He-Man and the Masters of the Universe in 1983.
Erwin spent four years immersed in the He-Man universe after lending his voice to the follow-up series She-Ra: Princess of Power up until 1987.
Over the next few years, Erwin turned to Hollywood as he starred in films such as Everybody’s All-American and Back to the Future Part II.
He also had a voice over cameo in 1995 hit Babe.
His final role was in an episode of hit animated sitcom Family Guy in 2005.
He came out of retirement to once again put on the voice of He-Man.
Alan Oppenheimer, who voiced Skeletor alongside Erwin on He-Man, said in a statement: “Working with John Erwin was a ballad of irreverence, professionalism and surprise.
“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, the voice actor of He-Man’s twin sister She-Ra added: “For 40 years, John Erwin was not only my brother onscreen, he was my friend.”
He has left behind “his loving family of children and grandchildren,” his PR firm said.
Erwin spent much of his life away from the cameras with his family honoring his reclusive lifestyle by not providing a photograph of him.