Washington: Celebrated voice actor David Graham has passed away at the age of 99, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in the world of animation and entertainment.
Graham is best known for his role as Grandpa Pig on the beloved animated series ‘Peppa Pig’, where he lent his voice from 2004 until 2021.
He also brought to life the character Aloysius Parker in the iconic 1960s series ‘Thunderbirds’.
Additionally, Graham voiced the mutant Daleks in ‘Doctor Who’ during the 1960s and 70s.
The creator of ‘Thunderbirds’, Gerry Anderson, shared a heartfelt tribute on social media following Graham’s passing.
“We’re incredibly sad to confirm the passing of the legendary David Graham,” he shared on X.
“The voice [of] Parker, Gordon Tracy, Brains, and so many more. David was always a wonderful friend to us here at Anderson Entertainment. We will miss you dearly, David. Our thoughts are with David’s friends and family,” he concluded.
We’re incredibly sad to confirm the passing of the legendary David Graham. The voice Parker, Gordon Tracy, Brains and so many more. David was always a wonderful friend to us here at Anderson Entertainment. We will miss you dearly, David. Our thoughts are with David’s friends and… pic.twitter.com/DB4HTawHiU
— Gerry Anderson (@GerryAndersonTV) September 20, 2024
Before embarking on his voice acting career, Graham served as a radar mechanic during World War II and worked as an office clerk until he decided to pursue theatre, according to People magazine.
According to People magazine, in an earlier interview, he reflected on how he developed the distinctive voice of the Daleks, stating, “I created it with Peter Hawkins, another voice actor. We adopted this staccato style, then they fed it through a synthesizer to make it more sinister.”
Graham’s role in ‘Thunderbirds’ opened doors to further opportunities, including a chance to perform with the esteemed Laurence Olivier at the National Theatre.
He recalled the audition experience fondly, saying, “A wonderful man… I don’t know if his children were fans of ‘Thunderbirds’.
Later in his career, ‘Peppa Pig’ introduced Graham’s talents to a new generation of young viewers, an experience he cherished.
As per People magazine, he said, “Just because it’s a cartoon or puppet doesn’t mean you don’t take it seriously,” he remarked. “I take it as seriously as working at the National [Theatre].”
