It saddens us to bring you the news that the voice actor John Stephenson has passed at the age of 91. Mr Stephenson had been suffering from declining health due for a number of years, and Alzheimer’s. Sadly, he passed away on Friday.
Mr Stephenson had an impressive career spanning over half a century, both as an “on-screen” actor and also for his voiceover work. One of his most famous roles was of the voice of Fred Flintstones’ boss, Mr Slate, in The Flintstones. To Transformers fans, he will be remembered as the voice of several characters from the original Generation 1 series, including Thundercracker, Kup, and Alpha Trion.
Please view the original report of Mr Stephenson’s passing at News From Me. You can view a full list of roles Mr Stephenson is credited with at the IMDB.
TFcustoms91
Very sad news Kup was one of my favorite G1 characters RIP John Stephenson.
Thundercracker
Thanks for the memories!
BDixonarts
I'm so sorry to hear this, he will be missed
D307
R.I.P. Mr Stephenson! Thundercracker was my first transformer. Thanks for all the fond childhood memories.
Bahamut Prime
Mr Stephenson – you have bought much fun in many of our cartoon childhoods, and my condolences to your family!
griffin-of-oz
There are still a fair few Gen1 voice actors left alive, but the list of those who have passed is growing.
Roger C. Carmel – Bruticus, Cyclonus, Motormaster, Unicron (post movie)
Phillip Clark – Dead End, Tantrum, Abdul Fakkadi, Auggie Cahnay
Rege Cordic – Menasor, Quintesson Judge (movie)
Scatman Crothers – Jazz
Walker Edmiston – Inferno
Ron Feinberg – Headstrong
Ron Gans – Dragstrip
Linda Gary – Chromia
Ed Gilbert – Blitzwing, Thrust, Shawn Berger
Jim Gosa – Abominus
Johnny Haymer – Highbrow, Swindle, Vortex
Buster Jones – Blaster
Stan Jones – Scourge, Pounce, Weirdwolf, Lord Zarak
Casey Kasem – Bluestreak, Cliffjumper, Dr Archeville, Teletran 1
Aron Kincaid – Sky Lynx
Bert Kramer – Computron
Chris Latta – Starscream, Defensor, Reflector, Skullcruncher, Wheeljack, Sparkplug, Snake
Don Messick – Gears, Ratchet, Scavenger
Jeff McKay – Fireflight
Leonard Nimoy – Galvatron (movie)
Tony Pope – Wreck-Gar (post movie)
Ken Sansom – Hound
Tony St James – Blot, Brawl, Cutthroat
Robert Stack – Ultra Magnus (movie)
John Stephenson – Huffer, Windcharger, Thundercracker, Alpha Trion, Kup (post movie)
Lionel Stander – Kup (movie)
Orson Welles – Unicron (movie)
We certainly need to get the most out of those still alive, from convention appearances… as we have now lost two who have been guests at a Transformers convention, and many are at an age that they aren't likely to appear at another one.
So if you have the chance to get to a Convention with a Voice Actor who did a character you liked, don't leave it until later (for a closer location) and then regret missing them when they go. (and petition convention organizers to chase up VAs that haven't been a guest yet at any Transformers convention)
Autovolt 127
You guys were so lucky to have had an opportunity to meet him. I wish I could have had the chance.
Nighthawkblack
Agreed, Alzheimers is horrible, I have close experience with it. People may live a long time with little quality of life and the toll it takes on care givers is just as bad. Always loved thundercrackers voice and kup, didn't know he did those. Thanks for bringing life into those characters, really enjoyed them.
ZapRowsdower
RIP, dude. At least he doesn't have to keep suffering through Alzheimer's, a terrible disease (which presumably prevented him from attending cons and meeting fans).
I loved his work as KUP. It's hard to find new VAs to replicate that level of talent.
Maximo Prime
He was one of my favorite voice actors. Oddly enough, I love hearing him call people Mac.
ParaChomp
No idea who this guy is nor do I care but I thought this image would suit the situation.
91, wow, don't see that too often.
bithomas
Very sad news indeed. At least he got to live a pretty long life.
CyclonuS_ZerO
Just now seeing this….very sad news. Thundercracker had the coolest gravelly voice. Another childhood character lost to time. RIP sir.
Orion72
Rest in peace sir.
JazzMusic
Thanks for impacting our childhoods and bringing us joy into our adulthoods with your talented work. Rest in Peace.
IGotTheTouch
RIP
spiritprime
Oh no… a very sad day indeed.
Rest in peace
BidoofdudeofOz
RIP one of my favourite G1 voices.
Emperor Bruticus IV
R.I.P
Loved Thundercrackers voice.
Alpha Trion's & Kup's voice always stuck in my head also
MpCollector81
91. Wow! That's a great life! He's still making people happy with this voice work!