Mark Dodson, the actor who voiced many popular science fiction and video game characters, has died. He was 64.
The Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens actor was in Evansville, Indiana for Horror Con when he suffered a “massive heart attack,” his daughter told TMZ.
Dodson was known in the industry for his ability to create multiple characters with his voice.
His first major role was as the creepy Salacious Crumb in 1983's Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi and later as Ewoks in Ewoks: The Battle for Endor.
He then provided the voices of several characters in the 1984 hit film Gremlins.
Mark Dodson, known for his voice roles in Gremlins and the Star Wars series, has died at the age of 64
“It’s easier to tell you who I didn’t do.” [in Gremlins]” the Missouri-born star told a reporter at Ohana Comic Con in February 2023.
“I didn't do Stripe and I didn't do Gizmo… I am the majority of all the other Gremlins in Gremlins One, everyone from the fan Gremlin to the singing Gremlins to the Gremlins in the theater “Gremlin about Santa Claus… I am almost every one of them,” he said.
“It was improv, it was all improv,” he explained, “you can’t really script what a gremlin says.”
“We would just try things out, and if the people on the crew and the other actors made us laugh, I was there with Howie.” [Mandel] and Frank [Welker]it was like, “Okay, fine, let's move on to the next gremlin.”'
The star said he was “happy that people still love it” after almost four decades.
Dodson provided some of the sounds for the zombies in Day of the Dead, written and directed by George A. Romero.
The man of many voices shared his talents in Hollywood and the video game industry for around 40 years.
His credits include: Star Trek Online and Heroes of Newerth.
Dodson's first major role was as the creepy Salacious Crumb in 1983's Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi
The actor later provided the voices of the Ewoks' enemies in Ewoks: The Battle for Endor.
Most recently he was hired for Ghostrunner II and Bendy and the Dark Rival.
The actor was a favorite of cartoon producers, who turned to him for projects like Bonker and Darkwing Ducks.