John Erwin Dead Aged 88; Mourned by She-Ra and Skeletor Actors

As the world prepares to see a new He-Man hit the big screen next year, it has been sadly reported that the voice behind the original animated version of the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
character, John Erwin
, has died aged 88. The actor, who began his career working in adverts in the late 1960s, made a number of other appearances, but for many, it was his role as He-Man that he will be most remembered for. As well as leading the show in the role of He-Man, Erwin also played the monstrously dim-witted Beast Man.

According to PR firm Celebworx, who represented the star, Erwin actually died last month, “around December 20,” of natural causes. The announcement not only drew reactions from many children of the ‘80s, but also Erwin’s costars, Alan Oppenheimer, who voiced Skeletor, and Melendy Britt, who provided the voice of She-Ra. In a statement (as per The Hollywood Reporter), Oppenheimer said:

“Working with John Erwin was a ballad of irreverence, professionalism and surprise. He was a series actor, writer, performer of commercials, musician, painter and an all-around lovely gentleman, an indelible addition to my life.”

Britt, who appeared with Erwin several times when He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and sister show (literally) She-Ra: Princess of Power crossed over, a lengthy tribute to the actor, which can be seen in full below. In the message, she wrote:

“Aside from being friends in real life, for 40 years we had been a team. We were He-Man and She-Ra. To have “my brother” pass on is a tremendous sorrow even though I know life is not infinite. I’m glad I have a few lines of your voice messages to me to listen to, and as well, watch as you portrayed He-Man and said, “I have the Power!” You did and still do. The joy and camaraderie you gave to me will keep giving me the strength you always wanted me to share. After all, we were twins…He-Man and She-Ra forever.”

John Erwin’s Career Beyond He-Man

instagram.com/shera.melendybritt

Aside from his role as the most powerful man in the universe, Erwin appeared as the voice of Morris the Cat in dozens of advertisements for 9Lives cat food at the end of the 1960s. He also made TV appearances in the Clint Eastwood series Rawhide, as the voice of Randy in the animated The Archie Show, a role he reprised in the animated Sabrina the Teenage Witch series.

Additionally, he provided voices in Groovie Ghoulies, Foofur, Spacecats and movies Babe, Looker, and Back to the Future Part II. One of his final roles, appropriately, saw him coming out of retirement in 2005 to voice He-Man one more time for an episode of Family Guy at the request of Seth MacFarlane.

Related

The Power of Grayskull Director Talks He-Man Obsession [Exclusive]

The Power of Grayskull director Robert Mccallum talks everything He-Man in his new documentary coming to Digital and DVD September 3.

As fans shared their sadness at the news, and their overriding footnote that Erwin’s passing marks the loss of “the” He Man, our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. As his former costar said, he did have the Power.

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe

Release Date

1983 – 1984

Showrunner

Lou Scheimer

Directors

Gwen Wetzler, Lou Kachivas, Marsh Lamore