Nickelodeon was a huge part of many people’s childhoods, filled with funny live-action shows and popular cartoons. Sadly, many of the actors and voice artists who made those shows so special are no longer with us. Their work continues to be enjoyed by audiences everywhere, and this is a look at some of the key people from Nickelodeon who left a memorable legacy through their iconic characters and episodes.
Ernest Borgnine
Ernest Borgnine, a beloved actor, brought the character of Mermaid Man to life on ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ for over ten years. He first played the retired superhero in the episode where Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy were introduced, and his enthusiastic performance quickly made the character a hit with viewers across many episodes and specials. Borgnine passed away in 2012 at the age of 95.
Tim Conway
Tim Conway, a comedic legend, was the voice of Barnacle Boy in ‘SpongeBob SquarePants,’ working alongside Ernest Borgnine. He first appeared with the superhero duo and continued in the role for many subsequent episodes and specials. His comedic timing was a perfect fit for the show’s humor, and he nicely complemented Borgnine’s more energetic performance style. Conway passed away in 2019 at the age of 85.
Christine Cavanaugh
Christine Cavanaugh was the original voice of Chuckie Finster in ‘Rugrats’. She played the character for many years, including the first movie and several special episodes, before she stopped doing voice acting. Her performance truly brought Chuckie’s shy and sweet personality to life and was central to many of the show’s stories. Cavanaugh sadly passed away in 2014 at the age of 51.
Jack Riley
Jack Riley was the voice of Stu Pickles, the creative father character in ‘Rugrats.’ He played the role throughout the original series, special holiday episodes, and the ‘Rugrats’ movies. Riley’s performance was key to the show’s portrayal of family and continued in later spinoffs. He passed away in 2016 at age 80.
David Doyle
David Doyle was the first actor to voice Grandpa Lou Pickles in the cartoon ‘Rugrats’. He brought a warm and spirited energy to the character, especially in the show’s early episodes and special programs. Following his passing in 1997 at age 67, the creators found a new actor to continue the character’s story.
Joe Alaskey
Joe Alaskey became the voice of Grandpa Lou on ‘Rugrats’ and continued playing the character in later shows and projects. He also provided other voices for various Nickelodeon programs, ensuring the Pickles family’s continuity after the original actor left. Alaskey passed away in 2016 at the age of 63.
Mako Iwamatsu
Mako Iwamatsu was the original voice of Iroh in ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ for most of the first two seasons. His acting was crucial to several important episodes and deeply impacted Zuko’s storyline. The show honored him after he passed away, and another actor finished voicing the character. Mako Iwamatsu died in 2006 at age 72.
René Auberjonois
René Auberjonois, known for his voice acting, played the character of the Mechanist in ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’. He was featured in episodes where new and creative technology was revealed, and his appearance became a fondly remembered part of the Earth Kingdom’s story arc. Auberjonois passed away in 2019 at the age of 79.
Steve Viksten
Steve Viksten was a writer and voice actor for ‘Hey Arnold!’, notably voicing Oskar Kokoshka. He played a key role in creating the show’s distinctive sense of community and its memorable supporting characters. He helped develop episodes that focused on the lives of those around Arnold. Viksten passed away in 2014 at the age of 54.
Les Lye
I always loved watching ‘You Can’t Do That on Television’ when I was growing up, and Les Lye was a huge part of what made it so funny! He seemed to play *everyone* on that show – all those stern teachers and grumpy grown-ups were mostly him, and he was in so many sketches! It’s amazing to think that show became such a big hit on Nickelodeon, and even helped make the network famous for its green slime. It was so sad to hear he passed away in 2009 at the age of 84, but he’ll always be remembered as a comedy legend to me.
Kirk Baily
Kirk Baily, best known for playing the camp counselor Kevin “Ug” Lee on the Nickelodeon show ‘Salute Your Shorts,’ passed away in 2022 at age 59. He was a central part of the show throughout its entire run and continued to be a popular figure in cast reunions and looks back at the series. His character became one of Nickelodeon’s most memorable live-action roles from the early 1990s.
Martin Mull
Martin Mull, who famously voiced Vlad Masters and Vlad Plasmius in ‘Danny Phantom,’ passed away in 2024 at age 80. He played the show’s main villain throughout its run, bringing a unique blend of charm and threat to the character and significantly influencing the show’s storylines.
Adam West
Adam West, best known as Batman, also lent his voice to the character Catman on the animated series ‘The Fairly OddParents’. Catman was a humorous take on traditional superheroes and became a popular, frequently appearing character on the show. West’s unique way of speaking made Catman especially memorable and quotable. He passed away in 2017 at the age of 88.
Norm Macdonald
Norm Macdonald was the voice of Norm the Genie on the cartoon ‘The Fairly OddParents.’ He was featured in many popular episodes that revolved around wishes and clever ways to get around the rules. His unique, understated delivery made the character stand out, especially when Timmy was facing difficult situations. Macdonald passed away in 2021 at age 61.
Gilbert Gottfried
Gilbert Gottfried was the voice of Dr. Bender and his son Wendell in ‘The Fairly OddParents.’ His unique voice made these characters memorable, especially during episodes centered around school and dentist visits. Gottfried passed away in 2022 at the age of 67.
David Bowie
David Bowie made a memorable guest appearance as Lord Royal Highness in a special episode of ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ called ‘Atlantis SquarePantis’. This pairing of a music icon and the popular cartoon was a big hit with fans, and his original lines from the show are still enjoyed today. Bowie sadly passed away in 2016 at the age of 69.
Paul Reubens
I was so sad to hear about Paul Reubens passing away last year. He was a really talented guy, and a lot of people remember him for Pee-wee Herman, but I was a big fan of his voice work too! He actually voiced Sir Malachi in the Nickelodeon ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ series – he was great in those episodes that dealt with dreams and magical adventures. He did a bunch of other animation work for Nickelodeon over the years too, popping up in specials and as a guest voice. It’s a real loss; he was only 70.
R. Lee Ermey
R. Lee Ermey, famous for his tough-as-nails roles, lent his voice to ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ as a strict military instructor. The episode cleverly used his established commanding personality, and it became a memorable part of the show. Ermey passed away in 2018 at the age of 74.
Betty White
Betty White made a memorable guest appearance as herself on ‘iCarly’. The episode cleverly used her well-known personality for a funny cameo that fit with the show’s concept of creating a web show. Later, Nickelodeon featured her appearance as part of a look back at some of their most famous guest stars. Sadly, Betty White passed away in 2021 at the age of 99.
Share your memories of these performers and the episodes you still rewatch in the comments.
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2025-10-15 19:46