As a rumoured new Star Fox game looms, Jock Blaney, the original voice actor for the villainous Wolf O’Donnell, has died.
Back in 2020, voice actor Rick May, who was most famous for his video game roles such as Peppy Hare in N64 game Lylat Wars (aka Star Fox 64) and the soldier in Team Fortress 2, died after contracting the coronavirus.
Now, Nintendo fans are in mourning once more, having learned another of Star Fox’s voice actors has passed away, with the death of Frank ‘Jock’ Blaney.
Blaney provided a number of performances in Star Fox 64, such as Fox’s old friend Bill, but his most noteworthy role was as Wolf O’Donnell, one of the game’s major antagonists and Fox’s arch-rival.
His other credits include appearances in the two No One Lives Forever games by Monolith Productions, from the early 2000s, and a couple of point ‘n’ click adventure games for children, from Humongous Entertainment, such as Spy Fox.
Aside from that, he did a lot of radio work as well as voiceovers for America’s Test Kitchen on PBS, which he contributed to for 21 seasons.
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According to his obituary, Blaney died peacefully in his home on March 19 at the age of 76, though word of his passing only became widespread recently, via this remembrance piece from K2 Radio, a Wyoming-based radio station where Blaney once worked.
‘There are some voices you never forget. Not because they’re loud. Not because they demand attention. But because they earn it. Jock Blaney had one of those voices,’ it reads.
Unsurprisingly, a thread on the Nintendo subreddit is filled with fans paying tribute by quoting his most memorable lines from Lylat Wars, including the classic ‘Can’t let you do that, Star Fox.’
‘It’s amazing how a part of someone can still last after they’re gone. A piece of their life, their spirit, is in the game. And we can go see them whenever we want,’ says SkysEeevee.
‘So sad to hear this. I love Star Fox 64 and his voice work was great. RIP,’ adds Marshmallow-owl32, while others honour Blaney as their favourite voice actor for Wolf in the series.
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While Blaney never reprised the role for any subsequent Star Fox games, fans are sure to feel bittersweet should Wolf re-appear in the new game that’s rumoured to be in development.
The source of that rumour, noted insider NateTheHate, said Nintendo plans to launch it in the summer and has since claimed that the game will be announced before the end of April, perhaps even this week.
Given Nintendo’s recent track record, any such announcement will likely be made via the Nintendo Today app rather than a full Nintendo Direct. Nintendo has had a lot of them this year but none of them have announced any new first party exclusives.
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It’s always hard to lose a talented voice actor like Jock Blaney, who brought so much to the character of Wolf in Lylat Wars. His contributions to the gaming community will be remembered fondly. It’s heartwarming to see fans come together to pay tribute to his legacy.
Absolutely, it’s a tough loss for the gaming community. Jock Blaney’s portrayal of Wolf really added depth to the character, making him a memorable part of the Star Fox series. It’s wonderful to see fans sharing their favorite moments and tributes to honor his legacy.
to the character’s depth and personality. His unique voice brought a memorable edge to the game that fans still cherish. It’s interesting how voice actors like him can leave such a lasting impact, even beyond the original release.
Absolutely, his portrayal of Wolf really added a layer of complexity to the game’s narrative. It’s interesting how a voice can shape our perception of a character, making them more relatable and engaging. Jock Blaney’s talent truly left a lasting impact on the franchise.
I completely agree! Jock Blaney’s performance truly brought Wolf to life, making him a memorable character in the Star Fox universe. It’s fascinating how voice acting can enhance storytelling in video games, adding depth to both characters and their relationships.
Absolutely! His portrayal added a unique depth to Wolf that resonated with fans. It’s interesting how voice acting can shape a character’s legacy in gaming, and Blaney certainly left a lasting impact in the Star Fox universe.
I completely agree! Jock Blaney’s ability to bring such a complex character to life really set Wolf apart in the Star Fox series. It’s fascinating how voice actors can shape our connection to game characters, making them memorable long after the game has ended.