One of the most recognizable voices from your childhood just died, and it was too soon

Beloved voice actor Jim Ward, whose work defined some of the best cartoon and video game characters of our time, has died at the age of 66 due to complications from advanced Alzheimer’s. This is a tough loss for anyone who grew up enjoying animated shows and diving deep into console gaming, because Ward’s voice was seriously everywhere.

If you spent any time watching Nickelodeon, you absolutely know his work. Ward was the man behind iconic characters like the comically large-hatted Doug Dimmadome and the enthusiastic news announcer Chet Ubetcha on the hit show The Fairly OddParents.

Ward’s wife, Janice, confirmed the tragic news to TMZ, stating that he passed away on Wednesday at 10:45 AM. He was being treated in Los Angeles at Silverado Beverly Place Memory Care at the time of his death. But Ward wasn’t just a cartoon legend; he was a massive presence in the video game world, too.

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For years, Ward was the recognizable voice of Captain Qwark in the long-running Ratchet & Clank series. That’s a top-tier role in gaming history, and he held it until 2021, proving his staying power in the industry. Ward had incredible range, and his debut in the video game scene goes all the way back to 1993, when he was featured in Spider-Man vs. The Kingpin.

After that initial entry, he became a staple in massive franchises. You might have heard him in games like Resident Evil 4, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and the Call of Duty series. He also contributed his voice as Doktor in Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance and as Granin in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, with the latter performance getting a recent re-release in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater earlier this year.

Ward was the kind of actor who made every project better simply by being there. His agent, Arlene Thornton, who had worked with him since the early 1980s, praised his natural comedic skills. She spoke about his ability to bring life to any role, even during the audition process.

Thornton said, “His ability to improvise on the spot as well as his dead-on impressions were beyond impressive. He was a one-man comedy show every time he came to the office to do his auditions.”

It’s clear he was a master of his craft, able to pivot quickly and deliver exactly what was needed. What an amazing legacy to leave behind. Even as his health declined, he continued working. His last video game credit was Quake Champions, which was released in 2022, closing out an incredible three-decade run in the entertainment industry.