C. Martin Croker

C. Martin Croker

C. Martin Croker
Born Clay Martin Croker
(1962-01-10)January 10, 1962
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Died September 17, 2016(2016-09-17) (aged 54)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Occupation Voice actor, animator
Years active 1988–2016

Clay Martin Croker (January 10, 1962 – September 17, 2016), generally billed as C. Martin Croker, was an animator and voice actor.[1] He is best known for having provided the voices of Zorak and Moltar on the animated series Space Ghost Coast to Coast, replacing Don Messick, who originally voiced the characters in the 1960s series Space Ghost.

Career

Croker began his professional career in animation in 1988 by providing animation of the Laser Show at Stone Mountain.[2]

Croker animated various "TNT Toons" promos for TNT in the early 1990s and helped animate and design bumpers for Cartoon Network in 1998. Croker also worked on various commercials and bumpers which often featured well-known cartoon characters.[3]

Croker is best known for providing the voices of Zorak and Moltar in the Cartoon Network/Adult Swim/GameTap animated series Space Ghost Coast to Coast, throughout its entire run from 1994 until 2008. In addition to being the show's principal animator, it was also his idea to have Zorak and Moltar be Space Ghost's sidekicks. He also voiced Zorak on Cartoon Planet and The Brak Show; and voiced Moltar as the host of Toonami from 1997 until 1999.[3][4]

Croker served as an animator for Aqua Teen Hunger Force, and its 2007 feature film adaption Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters. He also provided the voices for Dr. Weird, Steve, and various characters for the series.[3]

Croker provided the voice of Young Man and other various characters in Perfect Hair Forever.[4]

Filmography

Year(s) Title Role(s) Notes
1994–2004;
2006–08 		Space Ghost Coast to Coast Zorak, Moltar, Various Animator
1997–99;
2002 		ToonamiMoltar, SwayzakProgramming block
1995–98;
2012–14 		Cartoon Planet Zorak
2000 Brak Presents the Brak Show Starring Brak Zorak, Wally Gator, Various Television specials
2000–03;
2007		 The Brak Show Zorak
2000–2015 Aqua Teen Hunger Force Dr. Weird, Steve, Various Animator
2004–07; 2014 Perfect Hair Forever Young Man, Various
2005 Sunday Pants Man Loving Lovers in Love segments.
2007 Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters Dr. Weird, Steve, Various Feature film
Animator

Death and tributes

Croker abruptly died in his home on September 17, 2016, at the age of 54.[3][4]

Adult Swim honored him by re-airing the first Space Ghost Coast to Coast episode, "Elevator", on September 19, 2016 as a special presentation.[5] The tribute began with a brief description of Croker's contribution to Space Ghost and Adult Swim, with the words his character, Zorak said in one episode, "Think of Me when you Look to the Night Sky", then the episode played. After the episode aired, it showed "C. Martin Croker [1962-2016]". In the wake of the news of his death, Croker's friends and colleagues, such as his Coast to Coast friends George Lowe and Andy Merrill, have honored him on with posts on social media. Adult Swim has made almost every episode of Space Ghost Coast to Coast available for free on their website in honor of him.[6] On September 24, 2016, at the beginning of Toonami, TOM receives a transmission from Moltar, telling him that he's returning to his home planet and isn't coming back and then boasts that he was the better Toonami host. TOM then wishes Moltar the best of luck and says, "May your oven stay forever lit." It then shows an image of Croker, with the words "(1962-2016)".[7]

References

External links

Preceded by
Don Messick		 Actors portraying Zorak
1994-2016 		Succeeded by
None
Preceded by
Ted Cassidy		 Actors portraying Moltar
1994-2016 		Succeeded by
None
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