Peter Sallis, who voiced Wallace in the “Wallace & Gromit” films and co-starred on the British comedy series “Last of the Summer Wine,” died on Friday. He was 96.
His agents said in a statement: “It is with sadness that we announce that our client Peter Sallis died peacefully, with his family by his side, at Denville Hall on Friday, June 2.”
Sallis portrayed Norman Clegg as part of the original cast on “Summer Wine,” Britain’s longest-running sitcom. He played the role from the show’s first episode in 1973 through its finale in 2010.
He is also known for voicing the cheese-adoring Wallace in Nick Park’s “Wallace & Gromit” animated films. He originated the role in 1989’s short “A Grand Day Out,” followed by “The Wrong Trousers” (1993) and “A Close Shave” (1995). The latter two both won Oscar and BAFTA awards.
He reprised the character in the 2005 feature-length film “Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit,” which earned the Oscar for best animated film. Sallis most recently voiced Wallace in 2008’s “A Matter of Loaf and Death.”
8 Animated Movies For Grown-Ups (Photos)
Fritz the Cat (1972)
One of the first-ever animated films for adults, Fritz gets in trouble exploring the free-loving nightlife of the 1960s, making it the first animated feature film to receive an X rating.
YouTube
Mars Attacks! (1996)
In this Tim Burton parody of sci-fi "B films," computer-generated Martians invade and attempt to destroy the world, but they have a unique musical vulnerability.
YouTube
Antz (1998)
A neurotic yet brave ant (voiced by Woody Allen) helps transform his colony from a militaristic state to a more democratic community.
YouTube
South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999)
The South Park crew tries to convince their community to call off an ill-advised war against Canada. Despite its foul language and bawdy sexual humor, the Motion Picture Academy recognized it with a Best Original Song nomination for "Blame Canada."
YouTube
Anomalisa (2015)
A lonely customer service rep thinks everyone is the same until he meets a special woman in a hotel. Although it was nominated for scads of awards and was heralded by critics and moviegoers alike, it lost money at the box office.
Paramount
Sausage Party (2016)
Seth Rogen and Michael Cera team up again in the story of a 3D computer animated hot dog searching for the truth behind his existence.
Sony
Loving Vincent (2016)
The first fully-painted (that's 62,450 frames created by 85 artists) animated film explores the life story of Vincent van Gogh.
YouTube
Another Day of Life (2017)
An animated adaptation of author Ryszard Kapuściński's experience during the three-month Angolan Civil War.
YouTube
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Profanity, crude sexual humor, dark, depressing adult themes — some animated flicks just are not made for kids
Fritz the Cat (1972)
One of the first-ever animated films for adults, Fritz gets in trouble exploring the free-loving nightlife of the 1960s, making it the first animated feature film to receive an X rating.