Lee Marshall, known as the voice of Tony the Tiger, died in a Santa Monica hospital at the age of 64 on Apr. 26. According to the Los Angeles Times, Marshall had esophageal cancer. Marshall first voiced the iconic Frosted Flakes character in 1999 and took over for actor Thurl Ravenscroft in 2005, shortly after he died.
According to the LA Times, Ravenscroft started the signature catchphrase "They're grrrrreat!" in the 1950s and continued it until his death at the age of 91. Marshall had previously said that he started helping out as Tony the Tiger when Ravenscroft was in his 80s.
"We are saddened by the loss of Lee Marshall. His talent and warmth helped bring Tony the Tiger to life and will always be fondly remembered," a spokesperson for Kellogg's told ABC News.
At first getting into character to voice the silly character, was difficult for Marshall to do.
"I would just once like to be the guy who saves Scooby-Doo," he said to his agent, the LA Times reports.
Voicing the character would become Marshall's most recognized work in the acting business. Tom Kelly, a friend of the late voice actor, told the newspaper that Marshall's voice was constantly recognized by strangers and they all would ask him to "do" Tony.
"He wouldn't do it with children around," Kelly said. "He was very protective of Tony's image."
"What a set of pipes" he added. "Sitting next to him, even a whisper became a roar."
Besides Tony the Tiger, Marshall also worked as a radio DJ, news anchor and sports broadcaster. He is survived by his wife, Judie; his son, Jason Marshall VanBorssum; his stepdaughter, Eve Borders Otis; and granddaughter Kate.
