Peter Renaday, renowned for his iconic role as the original voice of Master Splinter in the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” has passed away at the age of 89.
Renaday was discovered deceased at his home in Burbank, California, on Sunday following a welfare check requested via phone call. Law enforcement confirmed his death to TMZ on Tuesday, noting that it appears to be from natural causes and is not being treated as a medical examiner’s case.
Renaday’s voice acting career began with his role as Hamato Yoshi/Splinter, the wise mentor to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, from 1987 until the show ended in 1996. He later reprised the role for the live-action TMNT: Coming Out of Their Shells concert event, filmed at Radio City Music Hall and released on VHS in 1990.
Beyond his work as Splinter, Renaday voiced Abraham Lincoln in The Hall of Presidents and Henry and Max in the Country Bear Jamboree at Walt Disney World. His extensive career also included roles in Transformers, Batman, Superman, and various Disney films, including voicing the Milkman and Le Petit Café Chef in The Aristocats. He lent his voice to several Disney theme park attractions, such as Captain Nemo in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Abraham Lincoln in The Hall of Presidents from 1994 to 2008, and the narrator in The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh at Disneyland.