Sign up for the Daily Star TV newsletter for the biggest TV news
We have more newsletters
The original Pingu voice actor Carlo Bonomi has sadly died at the age of 85 – though no cause of death has yet been given.
The Italian voice actor was responsible for Pingu's iconic 'noot noot' phrase which delighted children the world over.
He starred as Pingu from 1990 until 2000, but sadly died on Saturday (August 6).
READ MORE: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood star Clu Gulager dies 'surrounded by family'
The role was also played by Sam Michaels and David Sant until the show finally ended in 2006.
Tributes have been pouring in for the late star online, with one fan writing: "Aaaaah. He was a voice actor I looked up to as a child.
"I loved his voice acting skills on Pingu and all the other Pingu characters… Please accept my deepest condolences – I will miss him."
Another penned: "I just wanna leave a thank you to Carlo Bonomi for literally making my childhood. Those who are close to me know how important the show Pingu is to me."
A third said: "Pingu fan here, super sad about Carlo Bonomi. I told everyone about how he was an Italian clown & if you listen to the dialect he was throwing in some Italian in that Penguinese. RIP buddy, Pinga and Pingu will never be the same."
As another emotional viewer told Twitter: "That programme was cute and funny to me as a child, but considering we never understood a word being said, the empathy I would feel for those animated animals was remarkable and I have this gentleman to thank."
Carlo worked on the show completely without a script, and the fictional language 'Penguinese' was initially meant to parody the Milanese dialect.
It was inspired by his previous work on Italian animated series Lineman.
The show's language was what really set it apart from other kids' shows of the time, as anyone could understand the penguin's babbling.
His 'noot noot' honk especially endeared Pingu to viewers.
Throughout his extensive career, Carlo also worked on shows including Stripy and video game M.U.G.E.N.
He provided the Italian voices for iconic cartoon characters like Mickey Mouse and Fred Flintstone – and even acted as the Swiss commentator on various incarnations of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Carlo's final project came in 2008 when he provided the voice of various characters in the video game Spore.
READ NEXT:
- Grease legend Dame Olivia Newton-John dies aged 73 after battle with breast cancer
- Danniella Westbrook makes first appearance after depression left her in bed for days
- Nicola Peltz hits out at 'people who make you sad' as fans spot Victoria Beckham 'feud'
- Breaking News
Source: Read Full Article