Washington: Renowned voice actor David Graham has passed away at the age of 99, leaving behind an unforgettable legacy in the world of animation.
Graham was most famous for voicing Grandpa Pig on the beloved children's show Peppa Pig, a role he held from 2004 until 2021. He also became a household name for his portrayal of Aloysius Parker in the iconic 1960s series Thunderbirds.
In addition to these roles, Graham voiced the Daleks in the Doctor Who series during the 1960s and 70s, contributing to the show's popularity.
Following Graham’s passing, the creator of Thunderbirds, Gerry Anderson, shared a heartfelt tribute on social media, saying, "We're incredibly sad to confirm the passing of the legendary David Graham. The voice of Parker, Gordon Tracy, Brains, and so many more. David was always a wonderful friend to us at Anderson Entertainment. We will miss you dearly, David. Our thoughts are with David's friends and family."
Before his voice acting career, Graham served as a radar mechanic during World War II. Afterward, he worked as an office clerk but later decided to pursue theatre.
Reflecting on his role in creating the distinctive voice of the Daleks, Graham said, "I developed it with Peter Hawkins, another voice actor. We adopted this staccato style, then they fed it through a synthesizer to make it more sinister."
His success in Thunderbirds led to more opportunities, including a chance to perform alongside Laurence Olivier at the National Theatre. Recalling the experience, Graham said, "A wonderful man... I don't know if his children were fans of Thunderbirds."
Later in life, Peppa Pig introduced Graham’s talents to a new generation of young fans, a role he took seriously. "Just because it's a cartoon or puppet doesn’t mean you don’t take it seriously," Graham said. "I take it as seriously as working at the National Theatre."
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