Kansas City, MO – Tom Kane, renowned voice-over actor, and friend to KMBZ Radio, suffered a stroke about two months ago, affecting his body and the speech center of his brain, according to his daughter.
His daughter Sam posted the news Wednesday on Kane's Facebook page. Numerous well wishes have come in from across the entertainment industry, including those he's worked with on the Star Wars franchise, like Mark Hamill:
From his family's Facebook post: Our family wanted to share why my dad has been MIA. About two months ago he had a left side stroke that gave him right sided weakness and damage to the speech center of his brain. This means right now he cannot efficiently communicate verbally, nor read or spell.
He is still competent and very much himself, but can only get out a few words right now. As many of you might know about strokes, it is possible for him to gain these functions back and we have found him excellent care in Kansas City for speech, occupational, and physical therapy, but for now, we have been warned by his Neurologist that he may not do Voiceovers again.
The post continued, "My dad still remains in good spirits and his extreme stubbornness has helped him already show improvements in speech. He is fully on board with me sharing this and he will see anything you guys post."
Tom Kane is a Prairie Village native, and graduate of the University of Kansas. He is also one of the most prolific voice-over actors to step in front of a microphone.
Kane's website lists many of the projects he's voiced through the years: "He’s Yoda, Admiral Ackbar, Admiral Yularen and other characters for The Last Jedi, Rogue One, The Force Awakens and Solo.
His characters also star in Clone Wars, Rebels, and LEGO Movies and TV Series, The Avengers, Archer, Family Guy, The Powerpuff Girls, Wolverine and the X-Men, Scooby Doo, Shrek, Robot Chicken, Kim Possible, Foster’s Home, Iron Man, The Wild Thornberrys, and dozens of other animated series.
In the Disney Parks, he’s the voice of the Monorail, a dozen rides and attractions, and is the narrator of Galactic Nights and the Grand Finale Spectacular that closes all Disney Parks every night."
If you've watched TV, movies, played video games, been to Disney World, listened to a Hallmark talking ornament, or even tuned in to Dana and Parks on KMBZ Radio... you've heard Tom Kane. Prolific.
All of KMBZ Radio wishes Tom a speedy recovery.