John Erwin, the legendary He-Man and the Masters of the Universe star, reportedly passed away at 88 years old. The actor had a limited filmography, typically preferring to maintain his role as a voice-over actor whenever he did appear. He did have some on-screen appearances, but he was more comfortable as a voice than a face. He-Man was his most widely recognized role, as he helped to define the titular character over the course of many years as the star. Even today, other He-Man shows continue to build on what he created.
While He-Man continues to thrive, Erwin has moved on. According to The Hollywood Reporter, he died on December 20, 2024, in his California home. The cause of death was not provided. His fellow star, Alan Oppenheimer (Skeletor) responded to the news by stating, “Working with John Erwin was a ballad of irreverence, professionalism and surprise. He was a series actor, writer, performer of commercials, musician, painter and an all-around lovely gentleman, an indelible addition to my life.” The renowned actor is survived by his children and grandchildren.
John Erwin’s Career On Screen
He Was Best Known For His Role In He-Man
Erwin is best known for portraying He-Man in the classic Masters of the Universe show. The Filmation series was based on Mattel’s toy brand, and it brought He-Man to life. Erwin defined the animated depiction of the character in a portrayal that continues to echo across Hollywood today. Several other adaptations have come after his hit 1983 show ended, proving that he continues to have a significant impact on the media landscape even today. He even had the opportunity to reprise the role numerous times through Family Guy, She-Ra: Princess of Power, and the He-Man Christmas special.
Erwin was born on December 5, 1936.
Outside of He-Man, Erwin appeared in dozens of Sabrina the Teenage Witch episodes. In Sabrina, he played Reggie Mantle, Cousin Ambrose, and several other significant characters. He also starred as Reggie Mantle in several Archie shows. He even had a brief cameo in Back to the Future Part II (1989) as an announcer. Though he never again saw the success of He-Man in another production, he cemented his legacy with ease.
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Erwin Leaves A Powerful Legacy
He-Man Was Not His Only Major Role
Despite only lasting for three short years in its original form, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe continues to be a vitally important franchise in modern media. Its stars are not as prominent as Marvel or DC characters, but they have integrated themselves into pop culture. They are likely to continue to remain well-regarded in the years to come. John Erwin was a central part of its success. As long as the franchise continues to succeed, his impact will remain. Even outside of that, his family is most important, and they will continue to carry on his legacy.
Source: THR
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
- Release Date
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1983 – 1984
- Showrunner
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Lou Scheimer
- Directors
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Gwen Wetzler, Lou Kachivas, Marsh Lamore
- Writers
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Douglas Booth, Larry DiTillio, Paul Dini, J. Michael Straczynski