INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA: 'American Dreams' star Peter Spellos, the voice actor for the animated series 'Transformers: Robots in Disguise' died on November 19. He was 69.
The actor succumbed to symptoms of pancreatic cancer at the Francisca Hospice House in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jennifer Smith, a friend and acting student, shared the news on Facebook.
According to Jennifer, who was granted Peter's power of attorney, "he was loved and cared for and surrounded by people during his final days," as she told TMZ.
The late actor's buddy Fred Olen Ray paid a tribute on Facebook, saying, "It is with tremendous sadness that I must report the passing of my dear friend, Peter Spellos at 2.30 am this morning."
James, his brother, has stated that the actor would be cremated. For the admirers, the family will also plan an online get-together.
Peter Spellos's career as a voice actor
In 1972, Peter made his acting debut by voicing characters in the worldwide film titled 'The Adventure of Panda and Friends: Panda Family!'
In 1990, he also made his cinematic debut in the murder mystery 'Sorority House Massacre II.'
'American Dreams' cast the actor in 2002 as Gus, an amusing American Bandstand production assistant. The Pryor family was at the center of the NBC series, which lasted until 2005, as they tried to make sense of the chaotic 1960s.
The native of Queens, New York, starred as Sky-Byte for 39 episodes in the animated series 'Transformers: Robots in Disguise.'
In 2002, he also made an appearance in the follow-up to the science fiction blockbuster 'Men in Black'.
His other credits include cameos in 'Yes Man' and more recently, 'Jail Breakers,' as well as episodes of 'ER', 'Naruto,' 'Code Geass' and 'Digimon Data Squad.'
Peter Spellos and the New Mercury Theatre Company
Peter, an actor, comedian, and director, established the New Mercury Theatre Company in February 2008 and served as its artistic director.
Through its monthly shows and staged readings for charity, Theatre of the Community, NMT has raised over $4000 in its first season.
'Man With No Shadow', 'Mother May I,' 'Chocolate,' 'Controlling Interest,' '2b (or not 2B),' and 'The Blonde and Other Slight Distractions' are a few of the 2008 shows that Peter directed.
He held positions as an adjunct professor of theater at CW Post College, as well as acting, comedy, and improv consultant and associate director at the American Theatre Festival on Long Island, creative director of Who's on First, and improv director at The Comic Strip in New York City.
In addition to teaching improvisation and actor skills at Long Island University, the Stella Adler Academy of Acting in Los Angeles, and The Artists' Gym, Peter Spellos founded and directed The Usual Suspects Improvisation Company.
