Legendary 'Peppa Pig' voice actor David Graham (99) dies
David Graham, the British actor renowned for his voice roles in popular shows like Peppa Pig, Thunderbirds, and Doctor Who, has passed away at the age of 99. Anderson Entertainment, the company behind the Thunderbirds franchise, confirmed his death on social media on Friday. "We're incredibly sad to confirm the passing of the legendary David Graham," the company said in a statement. The cause of death hasn't been revealed.
Graham's early life and career
Born in London, Graham served as a radar mechanic in Britain's Royal Air Force during World War II. He later moved to the United States and studied acting in New York. His career in television began in the early 1950s, but his voice work gained prominence by the 1960s. Over the years, he was also a part of projects such as Stowaways on the Ark, Freelance, and King David.
Graham's iconic roles in 'Doctor Who' and 'Thunderbirds'
In 1963, Graham first voiced the mutant creatures known as the Daleks on the BBC's iconic sci-fi series Doctor Who. Two years later, he lent his voice to Parker, the butler in Thunderbirds. The show, which used marionettes instead of traditional animation, revolved around a family in the future that traveled around the world rescuing people with advanced machines.
Role in 'Peppa Pig' and his views on voice acting
Graham reportedly began voicing Grandpa Pig on the popular Nick Jr. series Peppa Pig in 2012. His character, affectionately called "Papa Ig" by Peppa's younger brother George, made his last appearance on the show in 2021. In a 2015 interview with The Mirror, Graham emphasized that voice work is serious business. "Just because it's a cartoon or puppet doesn't mean you don't take it seriously," he said.
