Voice Actress Christine Cavanaugh Dead at 51

One of the most prolific voice actresses of the 90s has passed away.

Christine Cavanaugh, best known as the voice of Rugrats character Chuckie Finster, has died at age 51. Her illustrious career also included voicing the title character in the 1995 Best Picture nominee Babe. In addition, she voiced Dexter in Cartoon Network's Dexter's Laboratory, Marty Sherman on The Critic, and Oblina in Ahhhhh! Real Monsters, each show an awesome, unique contribution to animated programming. Of course, Cavanaugh also made appearances in live-action roles, such as her guest-starring role in a 1997 X-Files episode, or in 1996 Best Picture nominee Jerry Maguire.

The cause of her death has yet to be released. Cavanaugh passed away December 22nd, but her obituary was only just published by the Los Angeles Times today:

"She was able to do incredible and amazing things with her voice and bring lots of smiles and many laughs to many people who are now young adults. Christine retired from her voice career in 2001 and moved to be closer to her family. Christine had no biological children of her own. However she was the god mother to Isabel Torres, daughter of her childhood friend Susan Yoshikawa Torres.

There is more than can be mentioned in brief page in the final chapter of a life too large to be described, to know the story you would have had to read the book. Unfortunately we really only know the parts we played big or small. Christine has touched many lives, some we know and others we do not. Whether she was a baby sitter as an adolescent, a voice in a cartoon, an aunt, a sister, and friend, young or old it didn't matter. She always made the most of where you were and what circumstance arose. Her imagination, humor and intelligence were evident to anyone who had the pleasure of meeting her.

It was of no surprise when she was able to share her talents with the world. Many know of her from the roles she played, but in each role there was a part of her showing through that the ones who truly knew her could see. The childlike awe of the world, humor to deal with the unpleasantness of reality, strength to deal with the challenges we all face, and intelligence to know when to act or accept what fate had allowed. Christine lived her life the way she wanted."

Cavanaugh was an outstanding voice talent, managing to be both distinctive and transformative. I could hear Chuckie in Babe, and Babe in Dexter at first listen, but those mental associations quickly vanished in the wake of the range she would end up bringing to each role. She was immensely versatile, and a cornerstone figure in my childhood. Her talents have been missed over the years in animated productions both big and small. She will certainly be missed, but beyond that, she will also be remembered. Our thoughts are with Cavanaugh's family and friends. R.I.P.

Via: Los Angeles Times

Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Viacom International