Today is a really special day, the 60th birthday of Larry Kenney, the voice actor who portrayed Lion-O, as well as Jackalman and many other characters, in the ThunderCats cartoon!
A couple of weeks ago, forum member Songya asked whether we had anything special planned for Larry’s birthday - http://www.thundercatslair.org/forums/showthread.php?t=2217 . We all thought this was a great idea, and so TCL is pleased to announce two special events today, especially for Larry’s birthday!
The first is the publication of this interview with Larry - http://www.thundercatslair.org/cartoon/about/articles/larry_interview.html . I actually conducted this with Larry 7 years ago, for a website I was contributing to that never came to fruition, and the interview has always remained unpublished - until now!
Secondly, and perhaps most exciting of all, all this week we are holding a giveaway, where one of you guys could win this promo pic of Lion-O, signed by Larry Kenney himself!
All you have to do to be entered in the drawing for this is post a Happy Birthday message to Larry in this thread - yep, as easy as that! We would say that, in terms of message content, very meaningful, heartfelt and/or creative messages are very much encouraged! Good luck, everybody!
Best of all wishes Mr. Kenney. Many fond memories of watching ThunderCats with my pop and with my mates…My pop used to do a spot-on impression for all of us, and even now, long after he is gone, I’ll always hear “him” in you…
I don’t want my post to count because I already have a few Larry Kenney autographs…yep one for me and a few for my kids.
I just want to wish him a Happy Belated Birthday.
Larry, your voice was my hero when I was a little girl. No matter how I got picked on in school, beaten up and bullied. I looked at my comics and watched the Thundercats as a girl and heard your voice. You calmed my fears and made me feel at peace. Your voice as Lion-O installed the code of Thundera and the golden rule…treat others as you would treat them.
I am all grown up now, I am almost 31 years old…I will be 31 on the 15th of August, I am married and have two wonderful kids, but you have a new generation of fans. My kids love the dvds and love to imitate you. My daughter especially likes you. You did a fantastic job as Lion-O. I know I sent you a quick email on your belated birthday but if you see this post, I will be very greatful as the words just poured out in this post.
I do have one request…a good friend of mine and a good friend of yours, Drea, is going through a difficult time and it is really trying on her soul…please once again tell her how you like her and give her a call. You seen her in New York a few months back. You are the world to her and she really needs you in her time of need.
Hi, Larry! Congratulations on reaching your 60 birthday!
I’ll be 35 years old this December. I’d like to thank you for all the top notch work you put into your characters on Thundercats. Thundercats couldn’t’ve come at a better time in my life. I had begun in a new school for the 7th grade and was a target the moment I walked in the door. Thundercats helped me to cope with those terrible times. In fact, Thundercats touched me in a way that no other 80s cartoon could. The show is a classic and I hope it will be embraced by future generations the same way my generation embraced it.
I promise I’m not meaning to single any post out from the excellent responses that this thread has received - but, I have to hold my hand up and say I found this especially moving. It’s wonderful to know that ThunderCats has made such a big difference on your life, and I can 110% relate to that, I found ThunderCats (and Larry’s portrayal of Lion-O) a source of great comfort and strength growing up.
Somebody suggested that we (TCL) should e-mail a link to this thread to Larry, and I heartily agree - I think there are so many posts here that will mean a lot to him!
Yes, Chris, I was the one who suggested that Larry be sent these birthday greetings. And in light of Lynxie’s message about Drea, the sooner we send Larry this link, the better. If he does know Drea, then he may be able to help her through what sounds like a very rough patch in her life.
I can’t make the same claim that Lynxie can, but I can say with no doubt in my mind that Larry’s wonderful voice work as Lion-O was a big factor in helping me forget my problems, if only for a little while. If that could help the 31-year-old adult that I was back then, then I can see how it helped a great many kids who were going through their own painful times as well. For 22 years I wondered who had voiced the Lord of the ThunderCats and during those years it looked like I would never know, so you can imagine my delight when I finally found out. And it was worth the wait! :cheetaraveryhappy:
As I said in my earlier post, long may you roar, Mr. Kenney. There can be only one voice for Lion-O, and that’s yours.:liono
Kinda embarassed that I haven’t posted in this thread myself :oops:
An happy belated birthday to you Larry! Without you Lion-O wouldn’t have been even half the character to is, if you hadn’t voiced him. Thanks for being a great part of happy childhood memories!
Larry thank you for all you have done for every fan. Thru your voice of Lion-O millions of kids have learned very valuable lessons. Every time I hear Lion-O it brings me back to those happy childhood years. Happy Birthday!!!
Happy Birthday Larry!! I just wanted to say that you are a class act with the talent and effort you put into your work, and also for taking the time to interact with the fandom by making the welcoming message on our front page. Lion-O has been - and still is - one of the inspirational heroes I look up to. Your voicework for the character, with its commanding yet benevolent tone, helped reinforce the feeling in my mind that I could always look to Lion-O for inspiration as we both struggled to do the right thing and live up to our responsibilities. Thank you for helping to make that inspiration for me all these years, and for helping to make a great character come alive in our imaginations. Special thoughts and prayers for you as you enter another year.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
(P.S I hope to hear your voice as Lion-O again in the upcoming movie!)
