Dan Hennessey dead at 82: Inspector Gadget and Care Bears voice actor dies in sleep amid Parkinson's battle
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Dan Hennessey, who voiced a slew of popular cartoon characters, has died at 82.
The Canadian voice actor died in his sleep on Wednesday, November 13, at his home, TMZ reported on Tuesday.
He had been suffering from Parkinson's disease for some time, and he died from complications of the disease, according to his family.
Hennessey had numerous animated credits to his name that stretched over more than three decades.
Some of the most popular shows he lent his voice to include Inspector Gadget, The Care Bears, Little Bear and the animated version of Beetlejuice.
The behind-the-scenes star's family praised him as 'an incredible son, brother, husband, father, friend and performer.'
Canadian voice actor Dan Hennessey died November 13 at home in his sleep, according to TMZ. His family said he died of complications from Parkinson's disease
Hennessey had numerous cartoon voice acting role, including as Braveheart Lion on Care Bears (pictured). He is survived by his wife Patricia and his daughters Skye and Eden
'We are so touched by all those letting us know how he impacted them through his craft, from stage to voice acting and direction,' they continued in a statement.
'We are warmed by the fact that he provided comfort to a generation of kids around the world by giving voice to beloved animated characters like Braveheart Lion and Fatherbear, who were the personification of his kind and exuberant personality.
'That his contributions to voice acting and contagious spirit live on in perpetuity is a unique gift to those who greatly mourn his loss,' they added. 'He truly was the bravest heart we knew.'
One of Hennessey's most popular characters was Braveheart Lion on the children's animated series Care Bears, and he also appeared in multiple films based on the children's series.
The Care Bears Movie, released theatrically in 1985, was a hit that reportedly grossed $34 million against a $2 million budget.
The film helped buoy the TV show that it spawned from, and its massive tie-in campaign also laid the groundwork for future films inspired by toys.
Hennessey was also known on children's television for voicing Chief Quimby on Inspector Gadget.
He voiced the kindly Father Bear on the animated series Little Bear, which ran from 1995 to 2001, and he also reprised the role on multiple video releases.
Hennessey was also known on children's television for voicing Chief Quimby on Inspector Gadget (pictured)
He voiced the kindly Father Bear on the animated series Little Bear (pictured), which ran from 1995 to 2001, and he also reprised the role on multiple video releases
Hennessey tended to be credited for voice multiple supporting roles on animate shows, rather than for voicing a single long-running character. He appeared as multiple characters on the animated version of Beetlejuice (pictured)
However, he did voice the title role of RoboCop/Alex J. Murphy on the animated series inspired by the dark sci-fi crime film
Hennessey tended to be credited for voice multiple supporting roles on animated shows, rather than for voicing a single long-running character.
Examples of shows that he filled in multiple roles for included the animated version of Beetlejuice, the 1990s animated version of X-Men, the cartoon Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Babar, among many others.
However, he did voice the title role of RoboCop/Alex J. Murphy on the animated series inspired by the dark sci-fi crime film.
Hennessey is survived by his wife Patricia and his daughters Skye and Eden.
