Peter Fernandez
Encyclopedia
Peter Fernandez was an American actor, voice actor, and director
. Despite a career extending from the 1930s, he is probably best known for his uncredited roles in the 1967 anime Speed Racer
. Fernandez co-wrote the scripts, was the voice director, and translated the English language version of the theme song. He was instrumental in introducing many Japanese anime
series to English-speaking audiences.
at age 18, late in World War II. His radio appearances included roles on "Mr. District Attorney", "Let's Pretend", "Gangbusters", "My Best Girls", "Superman", and "Suspense", as well as on many soap operas. After his discharge from the Army in 1946, he became a prolific writer for both radio and pulp fiction. He is the author of a children's book, "Bedtime Stories from the Bible".
Fernandez is known for his voice work, and has been heard in English adaptions of many foreign films. Fernandez is best known as the American voice of the title character—and his brother, Racer X -- in the 1967 anime series Speed Racer
. Besides acting in Speed Racer, he was the lyricist of English version of that show's theme song. He returned in the 2008 animated series Speed Racer: The Next Generation
to play a middle-aged Headmaster Spritle. In the live-action 2008 film Speed Racer
, Fernandez had a small part as a racing announcer. The rapid-fire delivery of dialogue made famous by Speed Racer was devised by Fernandez and his American voice co-stars in order to make the dialogue jibe with the original Japanese mouth movements.
He was the voice director for Courage the Cowardly Dog
, which he has said was his favorite. He made cameos credited as "additional characters" in several episodes, besides his role as the voice of Robot Randy. He was also the voice director for Robert Mandell's Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers series.
Additional voice acting credits include in such dubbed anime titles as "Astro Boy," "Gigantor," "Marine Boy," "Star Blazers: The Bolar Wars," and "Superbook."
Fernandez was interviewed in 2008 on his activities and voice over work. His last major public appearance was at the 2009 Seattle, Washington Sakura-Con Anime Convention.
Fernandez lived in Pomona, New York
with his wife, the former Noel Smith.
On July 15, 2010, Fernandez died after a battle with lung cancer. He was 83.
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
. Despite a career extending from the 1930s, he is probably best known for his uncredited roles in the 1967 anime Speed Racer
Speed Racer
Speed Racer is an English adaptation name of the Japanese manga and anime, which centered on automobile racing. Mach GoGoGo was originally serialized in print form in Shueisha's 1958 Shōnen Book, and was released in tankōbon book form by Sun Wide Comics, re-released in Japan by Fusosha...
. Fernandez co-wrote the scripts, was the voice director, and translated the English language version of the theme song. He was instrumental in introducing many Japanese anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
series to English-speaking audiences.
Life and career
Born in New York City, Fernandez was a child model for the John Robert Power Agency. He then appeared on both radio and Broadway until he was drafted into the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
at age 18, late in World War II. His radio appearances included roles on "Mr. District Attorney", "Let's Pretend", "Gangbusters", "My Best Girls", "Superman", and "Suspense", as well as on many soap operas. After his discharge from the Army in 1946, he became a prolific writer for both radio and pulp fiction. He is the author of a children's book, "Bedtime Stories from the Bible".
Fernandez is known for his voice work, and has been heard in English adaptions of many foreign films. Fernandez is best known as the American voice of the title character—and his brother, Racer X -- in the 1967 anime series Speed Racer
Speed Racer
Speed Racer is an English adaptation name of the Japanese manga and anime, which centered on automobile racing. Mach GoGoGo was originally serialized in print form in Shueisha's 1958 Shōnen Book, and was released in tankōbon book form by Sun Wide Comics, re-released in Japan by Fusosha...
. Besides acting in Speed Racer, he was the lyricist of English version of that show's theme song. He returned in the 2008 animated series Speed Racer: The Next Generation
Speed Racer: The Next Generation
Speed Racer: The Next Generation is an American animated television series based on the classic Japanese Speed Racer franchise, in which the internal events take place decades after those in the 1967 Japanese series. It is the fourth television adaptation of the franchise, and is executive produced...
to play a middle-aged Headmaster Spritle. In the live-action 2008 film Speed Racer
Speed Racer (film)
Speed Racer is a 2008 American live action film adaptation of Tatsuo Yoshida's 1960s Japanese anime series of the same name, produced by Tatsunoko Productions. The film is written and directed by the Wachowskis...
, Fernandez had a small part as a racing announcer. The rapid-fire delivery of dialogue made famous by Speed Racer was devised by Fernandez and his American voice co-stars in order to make the dialogue jibe with the original Japanese mouth movements.
He was the voice director for Courage the Cowardly Dog
Courage the Cowardly Dog
Courage the Cowardly Dog is an American animated television series created by John R. Dilworth for Cartoon Network. Its central plot revolves around a somewhat anthropomorphic dog named Courage who lives with his owners, Muriel and Eustace Bagge, an elderly, married farming couple in the "Middle of...
, which he has said was his favorite. He made cameos credited as "additional characters" in several episodes, besides his role as the voice of Robot Randy. He was also the voice director for Robert Mandell's Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers series.
Additional voice acting credits include in such dubbed anime titles as "Astro Boy," "Gigantor," "Marine Boy," "Star Blazers: The Bolar Wars," and "Superbook."
Fernandez was interviewed in 2008 on his activities and voice over work. His last major public appearance was at the 2009 Seattle, Washington Sakura-Con Anime Convention.
Fernandez lived in Pomona, New York
Pomona, New York
Pomona is a village partly in the Town of Ramapo and partly in the Town of Haverstraw in Rockland County, New York, United States, located north of New Hempstead, east of Harriman State Park, north of Monsey and west of Mount Ivy. According to the 2010 Census, the population was 3,103, a 13 percent...
with his wife, the former Noel Smith.
On July 15, 2010, Fernandez died after a battle with lung cancer. He was 83.
Anime Roles
- Astro Boy
- GigantorGigantorGigantor is an American adaptation of the anime version of Tetsujin 28-go, a manga by Mitsuteru Yokoyama released in 1956. It debuted on U.S. television in 1964. As with Speed Racer, the characters' original names were altered and the original series' violence was toned down for American viewers...
- Buttons Brilliant, Johnny - Kagaku Kyujotai Techno Voyager
- Kuro Kami: the AnimationBlack God (manga)is a Japanese-Korean manga series written by Dall-Young Lim and illustrated by Sung-Woo Park. Square Enix publishes the manga in Japan's bi-monthly seinen magazine Young Gangan. The story is initially set in modern day Tokyo, then changes to the island of Okinawa in the middle of the story. The...
- Ryuujin Nagamine - Marine BoyMarine BoyMarine Boy was one of the first color anime cartoons to be shown in a dubbed form in the U.S., and later in Australia and the United Kingdom. It was originally produced in Japan as by Minoru Adachi and animation company Japan Tele-Cartoons. It was sold outside of Japan via K...
- Dr. Mariner, Piper - Speed RacerSpeed RacerSpeed Racer is an English adaptation name of the Japanese manga and anime, which centered on automobile racing. Mach GoGoGo was originally serialized in print form in Shueisha's 1958 Shōnen Book, and was released in tankōbon book form by Sun Wide Comics, re-released in Japan by Fusosha...
- Speed RacerSpeed RacerSpeed Racer is an English adaptation name of the Japanese manga and anime, which centered on automobile racing. Mach GoGoGo was originally serialized in print form in Shueisha's 1958 Shōnen Book, and was released in tankōbon book form by Sun Wide Comics, re-released in Japan by Fusosha...
, Racer XRacer XRacer X is an American heavy metal band formed in 1985 in Los Angeles, California. The group has gone through numerous lineup changes, including a hiatus, with founders guitarist Paul Gilbert and bassist Juan Alderete being the sole constant members.- 1980s :...
, Additional Voices - Star Blazers: The Bolar WarsStar BlazersStar Blazers is an American animated television series adaptation of the Japanese anime series, . Star Blazers was first broadcast in the United States in 1979. Significantly, it was the first popular English-translated anime that had an over-arching plot and storyline that required the episodes to...
- Mark Venture - SuperbookSuperbookSuperbook, also known as , is an anime television series produced by Tatsunoko Productions in Japan in conjunction with the Christian Broadcasting Network in the United States....
Additional Voices - Under Sea Boy Marine - Dr. Mariner, Piper
Western Animation Roles
- Ace Ventura: pet detectiveAce Ventura: Pet DetectiveAce Ventura: Pet Detective is a 1994 American comedy film directed by Tom Shadyac and starring Jim Carrey. It co-stars Courteney Cox, Tone Loc, Sean Young and former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino....
- Additional Voices - Courage the Cowardly DogCourage the Cowardly DogCourage the Cowardly Dog is an American animated television series created by John R. Dilworth for Cartoon Network. Its central plot revolves around a somewhat anthropomorphic dog named Courage who lives with his owners, Muriel and Eustace Bagge, an elderly, married farming couple in the "Middle of...
- Benton Tarantella, Erroll von Volkheim, Robot Randy, the Spirit of the Harvest Moon - Kenny the SharkKenny the SharkKenny the Shark is an animated television series produced by Discovery Kids. The show first aired on NBC's Discovery Kids on NBC from November 1, 2003 until February 18, 2006 with two seasons and 26 episodes having been shown. The series continued to run on Discovery Kids until the network changed...
- Additional Voices - Speed Racer: The Next GenerationSpeed Racer: The Next GenerationSpeed Racer: The Next Generation is an American animated television series based on the classic Japanese Speed Racer franchise, in which the internal events take place decades after those in the 1967 Japanese series. It is the fourth television adaptation of the franchise, and is executive produced...
- Headmaster Spritle, Speed Racer Sr.
Movie Roles
- Alakazam the GreatAlakazam the Greatis a 1960 Japanese anime film, based on the Chinese novel Journey to the West, and was one of the earliest anime films to be released in the United States. Based on the manga by Osamu Tezuka, he was named as a director of the film by Toei Company. However, Tezuka later stated that the only time he...
- Alakazam (Speaking Voice) - Enchanted JourneyEnchanted Journeyis a 1981 Japanese animated film, based on the book of the same name by Atsuo Saitō.-Plot:A domestically raised chipmunk, Glikko, befriends a carrier pigeon named Pippo , who tells Glikko of an enormous forest where chipmunks roam free. Enthralled by the story, Glikko leaves his home in the city...
- Godzilla versus the sea monster - Ryota
- Hugo the HippoHugo the HippoHugo the Hippo is a 1973 animated film produced by the Pannónia Filmstúdió of Hungary and co-produced in the United States by Brut Productions, a division of French perfume company Faberge...
- Grownups - Planet of Storms
- Planet of the VampiresPlanet of the VampiresPlanet of the Vampires is a 1965 Italian science fiction horror film directed by Mario Bava. The film stars Barry Sullivan and Norma Bengell. The screenplay, by Bava, Alberto Bevilacqua, Callisto Cosulich, Antonio Roman, and Rafael J. Salvia, was based on an Italian language science fiction...
- Speed RacerSpeed Racer (film)Speed Racer is a 2008 American live action film adaptation of Tatsuo Yoshida's 1960s Japanese anime series of the same name, produced by Tatsunoko Productions. The film is written and directed by the Wachowskis...
- Race Commentator - Son of GodzillaSon of GodzillaSon of Godzilla, released in Japan as , is a 1967 science fiction kaiju film. The eighth part of the Toho studio's Godzilla series, it was directed by Jun Fukuda with special effects by Sadamasa Arikawa It is the first film to feature Kamacuras, Kumonga, and Minilla.-Plot:A team of scientists are...
- Goro - What's Eating Gilbert GrapeWhat's Eating Gilbert GrapeWhat's Eating Gilbert Grape is a 1993 film directed by Lasse Hallström and starring Johnny Depp, Juliette Lewis and Leonardo DiCaprio. Peter Hedges wrote the screenplay adapted from his 1991 novel of the same name...
- ADR Voice
Other Works
- Peter Absolute on the Erie Canal (Audio Book Serial)
- Speed RacerSpeed RacerSpeed Racer is an English adaptation name of the Japanese manga and anime, which centered on automobile racing. Mach GoGoGo was originally serialized in print form in Shueisha's 1958 Shōnen Book, and was released in tankōbon book form by Sun Wide Comics, re-released in Japan by Fusosha...
(Theme Song Lyrics) - X-Minus One (Radio Series)
Dialogue Direction
- Blood Link (1982)
- Bonheur d'occasion (1983)
- De Stilte rond Christie M. (1982)
- Ingenjör Andrées luftfärd (1982)
- Kenny the SharkKenny the SharkKenny the Shark is an animated television series produced by Discovery Kids. The show first aired on NBC's Discovery Kids on NBC from November 1, 2003 until February 18, 2006 with two seasons and 26 episodes having been shown. The series continued to run on Discovery Kids until the network changed...
(TV series, 2003, episodes 1-13) - La Diagonale du fouLa diagonale du fouDangerous Moves is a 1984 French-language film about chess, directed by Richard Dembo and starring Michel Piccoli and Alexandre Arbatt. Its original French title is La diagonale du fou . The film was a co-production between companies in France and Switzerland...
(1984) - UltramanUltramanis Japanese television series that first aired in 1966. Ultraman, the first and best-known of the "Ultra-Crusaders," made his debut in the tokusatsu SF/kaiju/superhero TV series, , a follow-up to the television series Ultra Q...
(1966) - Una Magnum Special per Tony Saitta (1976)
Direction
- Coup de têteCoup de têteCoup de tête is a 1979 French film directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud and scripted by Francis Veber. It stars Patrick Dewaere and Jean Bouise, who won the César Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance....
(1979, uncredited) - Schrei - denn ich werde dich töten! (TV, 1999, uncredited)
- The Enchanted Journey (1984, uncredited)
Voice Direction
- 2019 - Dopo la caduta di New York (1983)
- Ace Ventura: Pet DetectiveAce Ventura: Pet DetectiveAce Ventura: Pet Detective is a 1994 American comedy film directed by Tom Shadyac and starring Jim Carrey. It co-stars Courteney Cox, Tone Loc, Sean Young and former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino....
(TV series, 1996, episodes 27-41) - Al Andalus (1989)
- Au nom de tous les miens (1983)
- Au nom de tous les miens (TV miniseries, 1985)
- Bidaya wa nihaya (1960)
- Bordella (1976, uncredited)
- Christmas in Cartoontown (OAV, 1996)
- Ciske de RatCiske de RatCiske de Rat is a novel for children by Dutch author Piet Bakker. It is part of the Ciske trilogy which was written between 1941 and 1946. The book was published in more than ten countries. It was made into two films, a television series and a musical...
(1984, uncredited) - Coup de torchonCoup de TorchonCoup de Torchon is a 1981 French film adaptation of Jim Thompson's 1964 novel Pop. 1280, directed by Bertrand Tavernier. The film follows the novel relatively faithfully, but changes its setting from a West Texas boom town to a small town in French West Africa.-Plot:Lucien Cordier is an...
(1981) - Courage the Cowardly DogCourage the Cowardly DogCourage the Cowardly Dog is an American animated television series created by John R. Dilworth for Cartoon Network. Its central plot revolves around a somewhat anthropomorphic dog named Courage who lives with his owners, Muriel and Eustace Bagge, an elderly, married farming couple in the "Middle of...
(TV series, 1999) - Dogs of HellDogs of HellDogs of Hell, also known as Rottweiler, is a 1982 horror/thriller film starring Earl Owensby, Bill Gribble and Robert Bloodworth. The film was made and released as a 3-D film, with 3-D effects by Chris Condon.-Plot:...
(1982) - El Nido (1979)
- Fei zhou chao ren (1994)
- Film d'amore e d'anarchia (1973)
- GandaharLight Years (film)Light Years is a 1988 French animated science fiction and fantasy film. The original version was directed by René Laloux, and was based on Jean-Pierre Andrevon's novel Les Hommes-machines contre Gandahar .An English version was directed by Harvey Weinstein and produced by Bob Weinstein, while noted...
(1988) - GohaGohaGoha is a French-Tunisian film of 1958. It was starred by Omar Sharif and it was the cinema debut of Claudia Cardinale. At the 1958 Cannes Film Festival it was awarded with the Jury Prize and it had been nominated for the Golden Palm.-Cast:...
(1958) - Gojira-Ebira-Mosura: Nankai no daiketto (1966, Eng. title: "Godzilla Versus the Sea Monster")
- Il Corsaro nero (1976)
- Il Deserto dei Tartari (1976)
- Il Segreto del vestito rosso (1965)
- Jalna (TV miniseries, 1994)
- Jung-Gwok chiu-yan (1975)
- Kokusai himitsu keisatsu: Zettai zetsumi (1967)
- L'Anticristo (1974)
- L'Homme de RioL'Homme de RioThat Man From Rio is a 1964 adventure film directed by Philippe de Broca and starring Jean-Paul Belmondo and Françoise Dorléac, the sister of Catherine Deneuve. Concidentally, Belmondo would later star with Deneuve in the 1969 film Mississippi Mermaid, also a United Artists film...
(1964) - Le Choix des armes (1981)
- Le Grand pardon (1982)
- Les Chevaliers du cielLes Chevaliers du cielLes Chevaliers du ciel is a 2005 French film directed by Gérard Pirès about two air force pilots preventing a terrorist attack on the Bastille Day celebrations in Paris...
(TV series, 1967) - Mimì metallurgico ferito nell'onore (1972, uncredited)
- Nuovo cinema ParadisoNuovo Cinema ParadisoNuovo cinema Paradiso , internationally released as Cinema Paradiso, is a 1988 Italian drama film written and directed by Giuseppe Tornatore...
(1989) - Onna hissatsu ken (1974)
- Piedone a Hong KongPiedone a Hong KongFlatfoot goes East is a 1975 crime comedy film. It is the second film of the Flatfoot tetralogy.-Synopsis:...
(1975) - Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel RidersPrincess Gwenevere and the Jewel RidersPrincess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders is a 1995 children's fantasy animated television series inspired by the Arthurian myths, produced by Bohbot Productions with association with Hong Ying Animation and internationally syndicated by Bohbot Entertainment.The series had two...
(TV series, 1995) - Puss 'N Boots Travels Around the World (1976)
- Satsujin ken 2 (1974)
- ShakaShakaShaka kaSenzangakhona , also known as Shaka Zulu , was the most influential leader of the Zulu Kingdom....
(1961) - Stavisky... (1974, uncredited)
- The Adventures of the Galaxy RangersThe Adventures of the Galaxy RangersThe Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers was an American animated Space Western television series created by Robert Mandell and Gaylord Entertainment Company....
(TV series, 1986) - The Magic Snowman (1988)
- The Secret of Anastasia (OAV, 1997)
- The Secret of MulanThe Secret of MulanThe Secret of Mulan is the 1998 entry in the series of Secret films released direct to video by UAV/Sterling Entertainment, which generally was an adaptation of a popular theatrical animated film released in a given year, such as The Secret of Anastasia and The Secret of the Hunchback...
(OAV, 1998) - The Space Giants (TV series, 1967)
- Topâzu (1992)
- Tutto a posto e niente in ordine (1973)
- Un amour de SwannUn amour de Swann (film)Un amour de Swann is a 1984 Franco-German film directed by Volker Schlöndorff. Its screenplay is largely inspired by the novel of the same name by Marcel Proust....
(1984) - Un moment d'égarement (1977)
- Une histoire simple (1978)
- VabankVabankVabank is a Polish film from 1981; the first film directed by Juliusz Machulski and a popular criminal comedy, set in an unnamed city in interwar Poland.The film received several awards and nominations, among them:...
(1981)
Writing
- 2019 - Dopo la caduta di New York (1983, uncredited)
- Al Andalus (1989, uncredited)
- Au nom de tous les miens (1983, uncredited)
- Ciske de RatCiske de RatCiske de Rat is a novel for children by Dutch author Piet Bakker. It is part of the Ciske trilogy which was written between 1941 and 1946. The book was published in more than ten countries. It was made into two films, a television series and a musical...
(1984, uncredited) - Coup de têteCoup de têteCoup de tête is a 1979 French film directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud and scripted by Francis Veber. It stars Patrick Dewaere and Jean Bouise, who won the César Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance....
(1979, uncredited) - Coup de tchon (1981, uncredited)
- El Nido (1979, uncredited)
- Faire l'amur - Emmanuelle et ses soeurs" (1971)
- Fei zhou chao ren (1994, uncredited)
- GandaharLight Years (film)Light Years is a 1988 French animated science fiction and fantasy film. The original version was directed by René Laloux, and was based on Jean-Pierre Andrevon's novel Les Hommes-machines contre Gandahar .An English version was directed by Harvey Weinstein and produced by Bob Weinstein, while noted...
(1988, uncredited) - Gojira-Ebira-Mosura: Nankai no daiketto (1966, Eng. title:"Godzilla Versus the Sea Monster", uncredited)
- Il Deserto dei Tartari (1976, uncredited)
- Ingenjör Andrées luftfärd (1982, uncredited)
- JalnaJalnaJalna may refer to:*Jalna district, an administrative district in the state of Maharashtra in western India*Jalna , a city and a municipal council in Jalna district*Jalna , a Lok Sabha parliamentary constituency of Maharashtra...
(TV miniseries, 1994, uncredited) - Le Choix des armes (1981, uncredited)
- Le Grand prdon (1982, uncredited)
- Les Chevaliers du cielLes Chevaliers du cielLes Chevaliers du ciel is a 2005 French film directed by Gérard Pirès about two air force pilots preventing a terrorist attack on the Bastille Day celebrations in Paris...
(TV series, 1967, uncredited) - Mélodie en sous-sol (1963, uncredited)
- Mimì metallurgico ferito nell'onore (1972, uncredited)
- Nattens engel (1998, uncredited)
- Onna hissatsu ken (1974, uncredited)
- Puss 'N Boots Travels Around the World (1976)
- Satsujin ken 2 (1974, uncredited)
- Schrei - denn ich werde dich töten! (TV, 1999, uncredited)
- Stavisky... (1974, uncredited)
- Tatsu no ko TarôTatsu no ko TaroTatsu no ko Taro is a 1979 film adaptation of a famous Japanese folk tale, and the novel Taro, the Dragon Boy by Miyoko Matsutani.-Cast:Mîna Tominaga ... Aya Kazuo Kitamura ... Niwatori-chouja Kazuo Kumakura ... Red Oni...
(1979, uncredited) - The Alley CatsThe Alley CatsThe Alley Cats are an American doo-wop group singing in a cappella.The group originated in 1987, when a doo-wop revival program was occurring at Fullerton College. Two men, also the group's future founding fathers, Mando Fonseca and Royce "The Voice" Reynolds, decided to start an a cappella group...
(1968) - The Dirty Girls (1964)
- The Enchanted Journey (1984)
- The Mad Doctor Hump (1969)
- The Night the Animals TalkedThe Night the Animals TalkedThe Night the Animals Talked is an animated children's Christmas special first shown on ABC television on December 9, 1970. It was broadcast only four times on ABC, from 1970 through 1973.-Production notes:...
(1970) - The Space Giants (TV series, 1967, uncredited)
- Topâzu (1992, uncredited)
- UltramanUltramanis Japanese television series that first aired in 1966. Ultraman, the first and best-known of the "Ultra-Crusaders," made his debut in the tokusatsu SF/kaiju/superhero TV series, , a follow-up to the television series Ultra Q...
(TV series, 1966) - Une histoire simple
- Un moment d'égarement
- Un amour de SwannUn amour de Swann (film)Un amour de Swann is a 1984 Franco-German film directed by Volker Schlöndorff. Its screenplay is largely inspired by the novel of the same name by Marcel Proust....
- Woof!Woof!Woof! is a Children's ITV television series produced by Central Independent Television about the adventures of a boy who turns into a dog. It was based on the book by Allan Ahlberg. It was directed by David Cobham. It was written by Richard Fegen and Andrew Norriss.-History:The show was first...
(1989)