Lee Marshall, Voice of 'Tony the Tiger', Dies at Age 64

US Magazine reports that announcer Lee Marshall, best known as one of the voices of Tony the Tiger, the mascot for Kellogg's Frosted Flakes cereal, passed away on April 26th of esophageal cancer in Santa Monica, Calif. He was 64.

Marshall's turn as The Voice of the iconic cartoon figure began in 1999, while subbing in for the original voiceover actor Thurl Ravenscroft. He took over permanently following Ravenscroft death in 2005. Tony the Tiger was well known for his signature catchphrase "They're g-r-r-r-e-a-t!"

Marshall began his career as a disc jockey at the age of 14 in Phoenix, AZ. He also served as a newscaster for CKLW in Windsor, Ontario. More recently, he traveled the U.S. and conducted ringside interviews with professional wrestlers.

According to the L.A. Times, Marshall took the responsibility of voicing the famous character Tony very seriously. "He wouldn't do it with children around," his former KRTH-101 colleague Tom Kelly said. "What a set of pipes," he added. "Sitting next to him, even a whisper became a roar."

Marshall leaves behind his wife Judie, his son Jason Marshall VanBorssum, stepdaughter Eve Borders Ottis, and granddaughter Kate.

Photo courtesy of Kelloggs

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