Dave Filoni has paid tribute to Tom Kane following the legendary voice actor’s passing, and his words cut straight to the heart of why Kane meant so much to modern Star Wars. Kane, who passed away at 64, voiced Yoda, Admiral Ackbar, Qui-Gon Jinn, Admiral Yularen, and many more characters across Star Wars animation and games. But for Filoni, Kane was not just another performer in the booth. He was part of the sound of The Clone Wars itself. In Lucasfilm’s tribute to Kane, quoted by the Los Angeles Times, Filoni said Kane “loved Star Wars” and noted that while many fans will remember him best as the animated voice of Yoda, his voice was truly “the spirit of The Clone Wars.” That is not an exaggeration. The Voice That Opened the Galaxy For an entire generation, Tom Kane’s narration was the doorway into The Clone Wars. Before the battles,…
Admiral Ackbar
Tom Kane, Legendary Star Wars Voice Actor, Has Passed Away at 64
Tom Kane, one of the most recognizable voices in modern Star Wars animation and games, has sadly passed away at the age of 64. Kane died on May 18, 2026, in Kansas City due to complications related to the stroke he suffered in 2020, according to reports from Entertainment Weekly and People. He was surrounded by family. For Star Wars fans, Kane’s voice was everywhere — sometimes so naturally woven into the galaxy that it was easy to forget just how much of it he helped carry. A Voice That Lived Across the Galaxy Kane voiced Yoda in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and several other projects, bringing warmth, wisdom, and just enough ancient mischief to one of the franchise’s most iconic characters. But Yoda was only part of his Star Wars legacy. Across games, animation, and other media, Kane also voiced characters including Admiral Ackbar, Qui-Gon Jinn, Admiral Yularen,…