Gordon Pinsent, Voice Of Babar The Elephant, Dies At 92 – Looper

Born in Grand Falls, Newfoundland, Gordon Pinsent began acting in his teens, before joining the Canadian army, per a biography posted by The Canadian Communication Foundation. While Gordon Pinsent is best remembered to the world as the voice of one of television’s most beloved animated characters, the actor was a superstar in his native Canada. The winner of several Gemini and Canadian Screen Awards, Pinsent’s most memorable live-action performance came late in his career. At the age of 76, the actor joined Sarah Polley’s directorial debut “Away from Her.”

The Canadian film about a husband (Pinsent) reeling with his wife’s (Julie Christie) Alzheimer’s diagnosis was an awards darling, both in its native country and stateside, where it nabbed two Oscar nods. Audiences may also remember Pinsent as supporting player in Julianne Moore’s “The Shipping News.” He also made an appearance in the trailblazing Blaxploitation horror film “Blackula.”

Following the announcement of Pinsent’s passing, Polley took to Twitter to pay tribute to the late actor. “Gordon had an enormous capacity for joy in absolutely everything he did,” the Oscar-nominated filmmaker shared, describing Pinsent’s energy as both infectious and educational. “There wasn’t a moment without a twinkle of mischief and a determination to enjoy the moment.” Canadian comedian Rick Mercer also honored the late Canadian actor, calling him “the epitome of class & one hell of a funny guy,” in an emotional tweet.