The man behind arguably one of the most famous lines in video games has sadly died. It's been reported that veteran voice actor Rick May has passed away from COVID-19 (coronavirus). He was 79 years old.
May's death was confirmed by the Rekindle School, a Seattle-based school of film, acting, and arts, where May was taught. May had been in a nursing home since suffering a stroke last year, where it's thought he contracted the virus. According to the school, May was "moved to Swedish hospital where he received care before he passed on".
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No doubt you'll be familiar with May's work from across the years. He provided the voice of Genghis Khan in Age of Empires II and the Soldier in Valve's classic Team Fortress 2. He also appeared in games like SOCOM II and Sly 3, but perhaps his most iconic aural contribution to the world of gaming came from his turn in the N64 classic Star Fox 64/Lylat Wars.
May voiced commander Peppy Hare as well as the villainous Andross, and it was in his role as the former that we were given the enduring line "do a barrel roll". Those four words, barked with such authority by May's Peppy Hare, have quite rightly become iconic.
Outside of video games, May had a substantial and respected career in theatres. He appeared in or directed over 300 shows across the years, showing his range in everything from the works of Shakespeare to musical comedy. The Rekindle School describes him as a "wonderful teacher whose classes and students meant the world to him".
John Patrick Lowrie, the voice actor of the Team Fortress 2 Sniper, shared his own touching tribute to May on Facebook. He praised May as a "consummate professional", adding that he could always be depended on to deliver.
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"I knew the man who along with Frank Buxton and David Selvig stood and applauded my daughter Andee when I introduced her to the audience at the Kirkland Performance Center for what would be her first appearance as a professional actor," he wrote. "I knew the man who was always encouraging when I had my bout with cancer. I knew the man whose passing leaves a huge hole in my heart and I believe so many others."
Topics: Nintendo
