Robert Axelrod (May 29, 1949 – September 7, 2019), also credited as Axel Roberts and Myron Mensah,[2] was an American actor. He was primarily known for his voice work, which included Digimon, having started voice acting for the English-language versions of anime in 1980;[3][4] providing the voice of Lord Zedd, the main villain of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers; and Finster, the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers monster maker. He also portrayed a sympathetic doctor, Jennings, in The Blob. He also portrayed a Paul McCartney look-alike on the popular sitcom Family Matters, and later in his career appeared in several productions by comedy duo Tim & Eric.[5]
Robert Axelrod | |
|---|---|
 Axelrod in 2008 | |
| Born | May 29, 1949 |
| Died | September 7, 2019 (aged 70) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Other names |
|
| Occupation | Actor |
| Known for | Voice of Lord Zedd |
Biography
editHe was born and raised in New York City. He has said that he wanted to be in the entertainment industry starting in kindergarten after first entertaining his classmates.[6][7] He started acting in commercials and theater as a child. He then worked as a full-time guitarist in the early 1970s.[8] Then in 1980 he got his start in voice over roles with Banner the Squirrel.[4] He continued throughout the years performing on stage and in 1983 starred in the rock play All the Difference.[9] In 1984 he started working for Saban Entertainment doing voice over and writing for programs including Wowser and Hallo Spencer, which he said were "the two finest products we produced."[7] His agency, Mobile Monicker Productions, noted that he voiced over 150 characters in his career.[10]
Death
editAxelrod died in Los Angeles on September 7, 2019, at the age of 70. He had complications from a spinal surgery he had in 2018.[8] He was survived by his sister.
Filmography
editAnime
edit- Aesop's Fables - Hare
- Around the World with Willy Fog - Additional Voices
- The Big O - Colonel Anthony Gauss - As Axel Roberts
- Carried by the Wind: Tsukikage Ran - Genma Otagaki
- Codename: Robotech - Rico
- Cowboy Bebop - Doctor Londes - As Axel Roberts
- Digimon Adventure - Wizardmon, Vademon
- Digimon Adventure 02 - Armadillomon, Ankylomon, Wizardmon, Shakkoumon (Shared with Dave Mallow)
- Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds - Blue Falcon, Additional Voices
- Dragonball - Master Shen
- Gaiking - Prince Darius, Additional voices
- Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Katakura
- Grimm's Fairy Tale Classics - Hare
- Hajime no ippo - Hachinohe
- Honeybee Hutch - Additional Voices
- Little Women - Father
- Lensman - Sol
- Maple Town - Additional Voices
- Neo-Tokyo - Tsutomu Sugioka
- The Noozles - Additional Voices
- Robotech - Rico (as Axel Roberts)
- Rurouni Kenshin - Sakata, Additional Voices
- Samurai Champloo - Roukishi
- Space Pirate Captain Harlock - Dr. Zero
- Transformers: Robots in Disguise - Movor
- Wowser - Ratso Catso
- Ys - Jenokris[11]
Animation
edit- Animated Stories from the New Testament - Bartholomew
- Chucklewood Critters - George, Easter Bunny
- Creepy Crawlers - Additional Voices
- Iznogoud - Additional Voices
- Jin Jin and the Panda Patrol - Professor Know-A-Lot, Additional Voices
- Journey to the Heart of the World - Scarface
- Little Miss - Narrator (USA version)
- Mickey Mouse Works - Headless Horseman
- Spider-Man: The Animated Series - Microchip
- Wisdom of the Gnomes - Additional Voices
Film
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Source[1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | The Smurfs and the Magic Flute | Brainy Smurf | English version, Voice | |
| 1978 | Lupin the Third | Mamo | Voice | |
| 1979 | Manxmouse | Frank | English version, Voice, Uncredited | |
| 1980 | Tricks of the Trade | |||
| 1981 | Swan Lake | Hans | English version, Voice, Uncredited | |
| 1984 | Katy Caterpillar | Gilbert | English version, Voice | |
| 1984 | Lensman | Sol | English version, Voice | |
| 1985 | Victims! | Serial Killer #1 | ||
| 1985 | Peter-No-Tail in Americat | Bill, Philadelphia Philly | English version, Voice | |
| 1985 | Alice in Wonderland | Frog Footman | ||
| 1986 | Bad Guys | Prof. Gimble's Assistant | ||
| 1986 | Murphy's Law | Hotel Clerk | ||
| 1986 | Sorority House Massacre | Larry | ||
| 1987 | Assassination | Finney | ||
| 1987 | The Danger Zone | Ronnie | ||
| 1987 | Neo Tokyo | Tsutomu Sugioka | (segment "The Order to Stop Construction"), English version, Voice | |
| 1987 | Death Wish 4: The Crackdown | Italian Restaurant Bartender | ||
| 1987 | Obsessions | |||
| 1988 | Akira | Shimazaki | English Version, Voice, Uncredited | |
| 1988 | The Blob | Jennings | ||
| 1988 | Katy and the Katerpillar Kids | Gilbert | English version, Voice | |
| 1988 | The Big Turnaround | Guerro | ||
| 1989 | American Rampage | Coroner | ||
| 1989 | Kinjite: Forbidden Subjects | Security Guard | ||
| 1989 | The Lords of Magick | Pea Prince | ||
| 1989 | Midnight | Ozzie | ||
| 1989 | Fortress of Amerikkka | Gun Store Salesman | ||
| 1989 | Alien Private Eye | Scunge | ||
| 1990 | Chance | Gavin | ||
| 1990 | Repo Jake | King | ||
| 1991 | F.A.R.T. the Movie | Minister | ||
| 1991 | Zeiram | Kamiya | English version, Voice | |
| 1992 | Wishman | Murdock | ||
| 1993 | Beyond Fear | Vince Paige | ||
| 1993 | Rule No. 3 | Mark | Uncredited | |
| 1994 | Taxi Dancers | |||
| 1995 | Dead Badge | Pimp | ||
| 1995 | Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie | Lord Zedd | Voice | |
| 1995 | Tornado Run | Don Pinsley | ||
| 1995 | Fatal Pursuit | Billy | ||
| 2000 | Digimon: The Movie | Armadillomon | Voice | [12] |
| 2001 | Metropolis | Ham Egg | English version, Voice | |
| 2001 | The Little Polar Bear | Seagull 3 | English version, Voice | |
| 2001 | Karma to Burn | Reggie | ||
| 2002 | A Light in the Darkness | Dr. Aberdeen | ||
| 2002 | Deep Freeze | Lenny | ||
| 2003 | Exorcism | Dark Prince | ||
| 2003 | A Light in the Forest | Judge Chester | ||
| 2004 | Innocence | Koga / Lin | English version, Voice | |
| 2004 | The Last Shot | Man | ||
| 2007 | The Anatolian | Club Owner | ||
| 2008 | Safety First: The Rise of Women! | Narrator | ||
| 2009 | The Revenant | Racially Confused Veteran | ||
| 2009 | Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy | Ultraman King | Voice | |
| 2009 | Fist of the North Star: The Shin Saga | Voice | ||
| 2010 | Space Pirate Captain Harlock 2 | Voice | ||
| 2010 | Space Pirate Captain Harlock | Voice | ||
| 2010 | Danguard Ace 3 | Voice | ||
| 2010 | Danguard Ace 2 | Voice | ||
| 2010 | Danguard Ace | Voice | ||
| 2011 | The Adventures of Nadja II | Abel | ||
| 2011 | The Adventures of Nadja | Abel | ||
| 2011 | Gaiking III | Emperor Darius | Voice | |
| 2011 | Gaiking II | Emperor Darius | Voice | |
| 2011 | Gaiking I | Emperor Darius | Voice | |
| 2011 | Frogtown | Ben | ||
| 2011 | Fist of the North Star: The Toki Saga | Voice | ||
| 2011 | Fist of the North Star: The Souther Saga | Voice | ||
| 2011 | Fist of the North Star: The Ray Saga | Voice | ||
| 2012 | Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie | Robert Axelrod | ||
| 2012 | Mommy's Little Monster | Dr. Aberdeen | ||
| 2015 | Monday Morning | Mitch Katz | ||
| 2016 | The Vanquisher | Andrew Spencer | Voice | |
| 2016 | Boonville Redemption | Clyde | ||
| 2017 | The Clapper | Spider Parson | ||
| 2018 | Tales of Frankenstein | Dinu | ||
| 2019 | Induced Effect | Mr. Rodgers | (final film role) |
References
edit- ^ a b "Biography". Robert Axelrod official website. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
- ^ Geier, Thom (September 8, 2019). "Robert Axelrod, Voice of Lord Zedd in 'Mighty Morphin Power Rangers,' Dies at 70". TheWrap. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
- ^ "Robert Axelrod Biography". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
- ^ a b Kopf, Ryan (March 17, 2010). "Interview with Robert Axelrod". UpcomingCons.com. Archived from the original on March 23, 2010. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
- ^ "Tim & Eric's Billion Dollar Movie press kit" (doc). pp. 8, 14. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
The pieces feature two unique actors – Robert Axelrod and Tennessee Winston – two "Awesome Show" regulars. "Over the years, we've accumulated a bunch of friends who are actors in Hollywood that have a very special gift of making us laugh with these awkward performances.
- ^ Hussey, Megan (July 29, 2016). "Fan interaction valued". Tampa Bay Times. Vol. 133, no. 5. p. H9. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
- ^ a b Homenick, Brett (September 29, 2016). "LORD ZEDD SPEAKS! Voice Actor Robert Axelrod on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers!". Vantage Point Interviews. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
- ^ a b Real, Evan (September 8, 2019). "Robert Axelrod, 'Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers' Voice Actor, Dies at 70". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
- ^ Mahoney, John C. (January 28, 1983). "'Other 4-Letter Words' Breezy Primer on Mating Urge". Los Angeles Times. Vol. 102, no. 56. p. 85. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
- ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (September 8, 2019). "Voice Actor Robert Axelrod Passes Away". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
- ^ "Robert Axelrod (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
- ^ "Robert Axelrod". behindthevoiceactors.com. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
External links
edit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Robert Axelrod.
- Official website
- Robert Axelrod convention appearances on AnimeCons.com
- Robert Axelrod at AllMovie
- Robert Axelrod at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- Robert Axelrod at IMDb
