The entertainment world is mourning the reported passing of Skip Hinnant, the actor and voice performer remembered for his work on The Electric Company and as the voice of Fritz in Fritz the Cat. He was 86 years old.
For many children growing up in the 1970s, Hinnant became a familiar face on The Electric Company, where he helped make reading and language enjoyable through memorable characters. Among his roles were Fargo North, Decoder, Supper Man, and Jay-Jay.
Hinnant also became widely recognized in adult animation for voicing Fritz in the controversial animated film Fritz the Cat. He later returned to the role in The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat, giving life to one of the distinctive characters in early adult animation.
His career extended well beyond those performances. Hinnant voiced Sunny the Easter Bunny in The Easter Bunny Is Comin’ to Town and Pogo Possum in I Go Pogo. He also appeared as Ted in The Patty Duke Show and performed as the Boy in The Electric Company: Love of Chair.
On stage, Hinnant originated the role of Schroeder in the celebrated Off-Broadway production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. The performance added another memorable character to a career that spanned television, theater, and animation.
Hinnant’s work reached audiences across different generations. Some remembered him for helping make educational television entertaining, while others recognized his distinctive voice from animated films that pushed the boundaries of the medium.
His passing marks the loss of a performer whose work became part of American entertainment history. He will be remembered for the range of characters he brought to life throughout his career.