Former arts teacher and video game voice actor, Rick May, has passed away due to complications from COVID-19. May was most known for his role as Peppy Hare in Star Fox 64, and the infamous "do a barrel roll!" quote. He also voiced Andross in the same game as well as Team Fortress 2's Soldier, and starred in many plays and stage shows throughout his career. He was recently moved into a nursing home, following a stroke he suffered in February of this year, where he caught COVID-19 and sadly passed away at the age of 79. His former workplace, the Rekindle School, shared the tragic news, and is offering to forward any condolences to May's family by emailing them to [email protected].

Rekindle School teacher Rick May has passed away.

During his long and rewarding theatrical career, Rick directed or appeared in over 300 shows, ranging from Shakespeare to musical comedy.

The long time artistic director of Renton Civic Theatre and Civic Light Opera, Rick worked over many decades as a freelance actor and director. He also toured in the award-winning one man play, Bully! An Adventure with Teddy Roosevelt.

His roles included Tevye in Fiddler On the Roof, Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman, Ben Franklin in 1776, Teddy in Arsenic and Old Lace, Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened On the Way To the Forum, W. O. Gant in Look Homeward, Angel, Oscar in The Odd Couple, Weller in The Gin Game, Sid in Take Me Along, Drummond in Inherit the Wind, and his personal favorite, Matthew the Storyteller in Cotton Patch Gospel, a role he performed for three seasons.

In addition to his appearance in major motion pictures, TV shows and commercials, Rick was featured in many popular video games. In “Star Fox 64” he was the voice of Peppy Hare and Andross, in “Age of Empires II” he was the narrator and voice of Genghis Khan, and was The Soldier in the ongoing game series “Team Fortress II.”

Rick had suffered a stroke in February and had been moved into the nursing home for rehabilitation. Unfortunately he caught the Covid-19 coronavirus when he was there. He was moved to Swedish hospital where he received care before he passed on.

Rick was a wonderful teacher whose classes and students meant the world to him. He’ll be deeply missed.

If you would like to send condolences to his family, if you send them to [email protected], we’ll pass them along.

Source

 

[Xzi]

His delivery of lines for the Soldier was about as perfect as it gets. RIP to a real one.

 

[x65943]

Dang, poor dude. Lived a long and full life.

The loss of old souls due to covid19 is gonna really leave a dent on our society.

 

[Paolosworld]

He also voiced the soldier from TF2.

Edit: I didn't read the full post goddammit

 

[Chary]

He also voiced the soldier from TF2.

as well as Team Fortress 2's Soldier

 

[Godofcheese]

He did not have permission to die (tf2 players will get it)
RIP

 

[Deleted User]

wowie i didin't know he was the voice actor for peppy!
rest in peace soldier.
you were the best~

 

[yusuo]

Do a barrel roll, RIP

 

[Minox]

Focus of this article is wrong and I demand someone is fired or executed for this. Rick May was a great soldier ;0;

 

[Andy2001]

It always hits the wrong people!

 

[Ev1lbl0w]

You were good son, real good. Maybe even the best.

 

[Flame]

Focus of this article is wrong and I demand someone is fired or executed for this. Rick May was a great soldier ;0;

people going aim at you for saying that. best thing do a barrel roll!

 

[AlanJohn]

Team Fortress 2 will never be the same again. I used to be a solider main as well. I've heard this guys voice for hundreds of hours.

R.I.P.

 

[IncredulousP]

Do one last barrel roll...

 

[Reploid]

On other site I saw same news, with major mentioning of Soldier, instead of Peppy. Strange, isn't it?

 

[StrayGuitarist]

I've played quite a lot of TF2 and never knew he voiced both Soldier and Peppy.. May he rest in peace.

 

[Xzi]

On other site I saw same news, with major mentioning of Soldier, instead of Peppy. Strange, isn't it?

If it was primarily a PC gaming site, then not really.

 

[relauby]

Saw this sweet video on Twitter of a server getting together to pay their respects to Rick May. Rest In Peace.

An entire server paying respects to Rick May. pic.twitter.com/rFy5xmLUlg

— DBlackjack21 (@DBlackjack21) April 13, 2020

 

[SilverWah]

'Pain is weakness leaving the body!'

RIP Rick May 1940-2020.
May you rocket jump in heaven and market garden angels.

 

[Stealphie]

R.I.P
Keep Rocket Jumping and Barrel Rolling in the afterlife