Robert Axelrod (May 29, 1949 – September 7, 2019), also credited as Axel Roberts and Myron Mensah, was an American actor. He was primarily known for his voice work, which included Digimon, having started voice acting for the English-language versions of anime in 1980; providing the voice of Lord Zedd, the main villain of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers; and Finster, the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers monster maker. He also portrayed a sympathetic doctor, Jennings, in The Blob. He also portrayed a Paul McCartney look-alike on the popular sitcom Family Matters, and later in his career appeared in several productions by comedy duo Tim & Eric.
Biography
He was born and raised in New York City. He has said that he wanted to be in the entertainment industry starting in kindergarten after first entertaining his classmates. He started acting in commercials and theater as a child. He then worked as a full-time guitarist in the early 1970s. Then in 1980 he got his start in voice over roles with Banner the Squirrel. He continued throughout the years performing on stage and in 1983 starred in the rock play All the Difference. In 1984 he started working for Saban Entertainment doing voice over and writing for programs including Wowser and Hallo Spencer, which he said were "the two finest products we produced." His agency, Mobile Monicker Productions, noted that he voiced over 150 characters in his career.
Death
Axelrod died at the age of 70 on September 7, 2019, due to complications from spinal surgery he had undergone in 2018. He was survived by his sister.
Aesop's Fables - Hare
Around the World with Willy Fog - Additional Voices
The Big O - Colonel Anthony Gauss - As Axel Roberts
Carried by the Wind: Tsukikage Ran - Genma Otagaki
Codename: Robotech - Rico
Cowboy Bebop - Doctor Londes - As Axel Roberts
Digimon Adventure - Wizardmon, Vademon
Digimon Adventure 02 - Armadillomon, Ankylomon, Wizardmon, Shakkoumon (Shared with Dave Mallow)
Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds - Blue Falcon, Additional Voices
Dragon Ball - Master Shen
Gaiking - Prince Darius, Additional voices
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Katakura
Grimm's Fairy Tale Classics - Hare
The Noozles - Additional Voices
Robotech - Rico (as Axel Roberts)
Rurouni Kenshin - Sakata, Additional Voices
Samurai Champloo - Roukishi
Space Pirate Captain Harlock - Dr. Zero
Transformers: Robots in Disguise - Movor
Animation
Animated Stories from the New Testament - Bartholomew
Chucklewood Critters - George, Easter Bunny
Iznogoud - Additional Voices
Jin Jin and the Panda Patrol - Professor Know-A-Lot, Additional Voices
Journey to the Heart of the World - Scarface
Mickey Mouse Works - Headless Horseman
Spider-Man: The Animated Series - Microchip
Wisdom of the Gnomes - Additional Voices
Official website
Robert Axelrod convention appearances on AnimeCons.com
Robert Axelrod at Anime News Network's encyclopedia