Skip Hinnant Dies: ‘Electric Company’, ‘You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown’ Actor, Voice Of Fritz The Cat Was 86

Actor and voice artist Skip Hinnant, known for PBS children’s programme The Electric Company and as the voice of Fritz the Cat, has died aged 86. His family said he died peacefully in Denver on 8 November, surrounded by loved ones. His work ranged from children’s television to adult animation, and he also spent decades advocating for actors’ rights.

Born Joseph Howard Hinnant in 1940, he played Schroeder in the original Off Broadway production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown before moving into voice acting. He appeared in 780 episodes of The Electric Company from 1971 to 1977, playing Fargo North, Frankenstein, Jay-Jay and Supper Man, and voiced Fritz in two films, including the original X-rated 1972 feature. Other credits included the 1977 Easter special The Easter Bunny Is Comin’ to Town and My Little Pony. Hinnant served on the Screen Actors Guild’s national board from 1980 to 2003.