Notable Deaths in May 2021

Samuel E. Wright

If Samuel E. Wright only did one thing for his entire career, it would have been beyond legendary. In 1989, Wright provided the voice of Sebastian in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, singing several stone cold classics and instantly creating one of Disney’s most memorable characters. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. He was an award-winning stage actor, philanthropist, and advocate of the arts, all of which add to a legacy beyond reproach. Wright passed this year at the age of 74.

John Paul Leon

An iconic comics artist whose masterful illustrations covered the Marvel and DC comics universes and beyond in iconic works like Earth X, Static, and The Winter Men, John Paul Leon passed away at the age of 49 after a decade-and-a-half battle with cancer. Beloved across the comics industry as an artist and as a person, Leon’s legacy included works on major comics figures such as Batman, Superman, Galactus, and many, many more.

Billie Hayes

Live-action kids’ series H.R. Pufnstuf only ran from 1969-1970, but it’s become a cult classic thanks to its surreal, undeniably psychedelic costumes, puppets, and set design. A big part of the show was Billie Hayes as Witchiepoo, the campy, cackling, ever-bumbling villain who spent every episode trying (and inevitably failing) to get her mitts on a very special magic flute. In addition to being one of TV’s most memorable witches, Hayes–who lived to be 96–was also a Broadway star and a voice-over veteran, contributing her distinctive pipes to The Real Ghostbusters, Rugrats, and many more.

Paul Soles

Canadian radio and TV legend Paul Soles, who passed away at the age of 90, is best known for his work as a voice actor, first starring as both Rick Jones and Bruce Banner in The Marvel Super Heroes, the first animated adaptation of the comics publisher’s iconic characters. But he is remembered for his iconic role as Peter Parker and Spider-Man in the webslinger’s 1967 animated series. Soles defined Spider-Man beyond the pages of the comics for generations, both contemporary and in our modern age as his take on the friendly neighborhood hero became reborn as a pop cultural meme.