Peter Fernandez

Not to be confused with Pedro Fernández.
Peter Fernandez

Fernandez attending the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival premiere of Speed Racer, with his grandson.
Born January 29, 1927(1927-01-29)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Died July 15, 2010(2010-07-15) (aged 83)
Pomona, New York, U.S.
Occupation Actor, voice actor, director
Years active 1949–2009

Peter Fernandez (January 29, 1927 – July 15, 2010) was an American actor, voice actor, and director. Despite a career extending from the 1930s, he is probably best known for his uncredited roles in the 1967 anime Speed Racer. Fernandez co-wrote the scripts, was the voice director, and translated the English language version of the theme song. He was instrumental in introducing many Japanese anime series to English-speaking audiences.[1][2][3]

Contents

Life and career

Born in New York City, Fernandez was a child model for the John Robert Power Agency.[4] He then appeared on both radio and Broadway until he was drafted into the United States Army at age 18, late in World War II. His radio appearances included roles on "Mr. District Attorney", "Let's Pretend", "Gangbusters", "My Best Girls", "Superman", and "Suspense", as well as on many soap operas. After his discharge from the Army in 1946, he became a prolific writer for both radio and pulp fiction. He is the author of a children's book, "Bedtime Stories from the Bible".[5]

Fernandez is known for his voice work, and has been heard in English adaptions of many foreign films. Fernandez is best known as the American voice of the title character—and his brother, Racer X -- in the 1967 anime series Speed Racer. Besides acting in Speed Racer, he was the lyricist of English version of that show's theme song. He returned in the 2008 animated series Speed Racer: The Next Generation to play a middle-aged Headmaster Spritle. In the live-action 2008 film Speed Racer, Fernandez had a small part as a racing announcer. The rapid-fire delivery of dialogue made famous by Speed Racer was devised by Fernandez and his American voice co-stars in order to make the dialogue jibe with the original Japanese mouth movements.[6]

He was the voice director for Courage the Cowardly Dog, which he has said was his favorite. He made cameos credited as "additional characters" in several episodes, besides his role as the voice of Robot Randy. He was also the voice director for Robert Mandell's Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers series.

Additional voice acting credits include in such dubbed anime titles as "Astro Boy," "Gigantor," "Marine Boy," "Star Blazers: The Bolar Wars," and "Superbook." [7]

Fernandez was interviewed in 2008 on his activities and voice over work.[8] His last major public appearance was at the 2009 Seattle, Washington Sakura-Con Anime Convention.

Fernandez lived in Pomona, New York with his wife, the former Noel Smith.[9]

On July 15, 2010, Fernandez died after a battle with lung cancer. He was 83.[10]

Filmography

Anime Roles

Western Animation Roles

Video Game Roles

Movie Roles

Other Works

Staff

Dialogue Direction

Direction

Dubbing Direction

Voice Direction

Writing

See also

References

  1. ^ "'Speed Racer': drawing on an anime legend". Japan Times. http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ff20080703r1.html. Retrieved 2008-08-06. 
  2. ^ "'Americanizing' a cartoon classic". Japan Times. http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ff20080703r2.html. Retrieved 2008-08-12. 
  3. ^ Nelson, Valerie J. (2010-07-25). "Peter Fernandez dies at 83; helped bring Japanese animation to American audiences". LA Times. http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/25/local/la-me-peter-fernandez-20100726. Retrieved 2010-09-03. 
  4. ^ [1]
  5. ^ IMDB Listing
  6. ^ "Peter Fernandez, voice of Speed Racer, dead at 83". forum.bcdb.com July 15, 2010
  7. ^ "Peter Fernandez: The Voice of SPEED RACER Dies July 15, 2010". EInsiders. http://www.einsiders.com/hollywood-obituaries/peter-fernandez-the-voice-of-speed-racer-dies-july-15-2010.html. Retrieved 2010-07-15. 
  8. ^ "Speed Racer Interview". About.com. http://animatedtv.about.com/od/dvdandvideoreviews/a/fernandez.htm. Retrieved 2010-07-15. 
  9. ^ Hevesi, Dennis (2010-07-17). "Peter Fernandez, Voice of Speed Racer in the U.S., Dies at 83". The News York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/17/arts/television/17fernandez.html?_r=1. Retrieved 2010-07-15. 
  10. ^ "Speed Racer Voice Actor Peter Fernandez Passes Away (Updated)". Anime News Network. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-07-15/speed-racer-voice-actor-peter-fernandez-passes-away. Retrieved 2010-07-15. 
  11. ^ "Return Laps for the First Voice of Speed Racer". New York Times. 2008-05-10. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/10/movies/10speed.html?scp=28&sq=astro%20boy&st=cse. Retrieved 2010-08-12. 

External links