Canadian actor Norm Spencer will be remembered worldwide as the voice behind one of X-Men’s most popular superheroes.
Comic fans and colleagues are lamenting the loss of the voice of Marvel Comics character Cyclops, following Mr Spencer’s death on Monday, aged 62.
Mr Spencer voiced the energy-beaming mutant Cyclops in X-Men: The Animated Series in 68 episodes of the popular franchise between 1992 and 1997 and later the Marvel vs. Capcom video games.
Born on February 23, 1958, he first provided the voice-over that was to become recognisable as Cyclops’ alter-ego Scott Summers, aged 34.
During his time with the New York-based franchise he also provided the voice-over for the “Previously on X-Men” recap at the beginning of the episodes.
He later voiced the Marvel character Drax the Destroyer in three episodes of the Silver Surfer series in 1998. His most recent work was starring as Billy Blaze in Rescue Heroes.
News of Mr Spencer’s death broke yesterday when his X-Men co-star Cathal J Dodd, who voiced Wolverine during the same era, shared a tribute to the actor and “dear friend” on social media.
Mr Dodd said: “I’ve lost my dear friend and cohort Norm Spencer.
“What a sad day. Norm was the voice of Cyclops on X-Men: The Animated series. He was a genuine character and sweetheart. I will miss you Cyc. Sorry about the ‘convertible’ Bub. See ya later my friend.”
In addition to voicing Cyclops on X-Men: The Animated Series, Mr Spencer also reprised the role for other projects in later years. His Cyclops showed up in a couple of episodes of Spider-Man: The Animated Series, as well as video games like X-Men: Children of the Atom, X-Men vs. Street Fighter, Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter, and Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes.
Rumour had it that he also played the voice of Chris Summers’ X-Men character Havok, whose voice actor was uncredited.