Toy Story 3’s Lotso Voice Actor Ned Beatty Dies at 83

Legendary actor Ned Beatty passed away at the age of 83 on Sunday, June 13. Best known for roles in movies like Network and Superman, Beatty certainly left his mark on cinema. The Kentucky native began performing at a young age, singing at his local church at 10 years old. Beatty made his stage debut in 1956 at the age of 19 with Wilderness Road, a historical pageant held outdoors in Berea, Kentucky. He transitioned to screen work in the early 70s, breaking through with a memorable role in Deliverance starring Jon Voight and Burt Reynolds. From there, Beatty began to steadily appear on the screen.

Soon after, Beatty played one of his most noteworthy roles: corporate executive Arthur Jensen in Network (1976). Though his screen time in the film was brief, Beatty ensured it was unforgettable. His character’s speech on money was quickly carved into the landscape of movie history and earned him an Oscar nomination. Beatty was showered with acclaim throughout his career, including a Drama Desk Award win for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Golden Globe nomination for Hear My Song (1991), and Emmy award nods for Friendly Fire (1979) and Last Train Home (1990). He even ventured into the comic book world, with stints in Captain America (1990) and Christopher Reeve’s two Superman films.

Beatty’s longtime manager Deborah Miller confirmed the sad news of his death with USA TODAY. The star passed away in the wee hours of Sunday, June 13, surrounded by his loved ones in his Los Angeles home. The family decided not to release the details of his death. Miller said in a somber statement: “Ned is an iconic, legendary talent, as well as a dear friend, and he will be missed by us all.“

Beatty’s voice was as iconic as his presence, with the performer gaining fame for bringing the villainous pink stuffed bear Lotso to life in Disney’s Toy Story 3 (2010). The beloved work won him an IGN Award for Favorite Villain and an MTV Movie Award nomination in the same category. “Thanks, Ned, for bringing Lotso to life – both his good side and his not-so-good side. We’ll miss you,” the Pixar film’s director Lee Unkrich tweeted upon hearing the news.

Though his final screen role in 2013’s The Big Ask didn’t necessarily garner much acclaim, it was one of his most heartfelt as he got to work with his son, writer-director Thomas Beatty. Thomas, which is also Ned’s middle name, is one of the performer’s eight children. He is survived by them, his grandchildren, and his wife Sandra Johnson.

Source: USA TODAY

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Robert Peterpaul
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Robert Peterpaul is a Movie/TV News Writer for Screen Rant. He’s currently the host of The Art of Kindness podcast, which aims to showcase celebrities using their platform to make the world better. Peterpaul has been a professional Writer/ Editor for over eight years, writing for high-profile publications like HuffPost, Backstage and HOLA! USA, where he served as the Weekend Editor for six years. Robert has also worked on various television shows and films, including: NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” and “Access Hollywood.” When he’s not writing about entertainment, he’s entertaining. Robert has appeared in films like James Franco’s “King Cobra,” TV series such as Amazon Prime’s “New Dogs, Old Tricks,” and ad campaigns for brands like T-Mobile. He also has a long-running career in the theatre, getting his start Off-Broadway when he was child. Speaking of childhood, Robert’s second home growing up was blockbuster, where he rented “The Goonies” more times than any customer (always with a side of Sour Patch Kids, of course). His undying passion for entertainment and storytelling continues to thrive. He thanks you for reading and hopes you follow your bliss. You can follow him on Instagram/Twitter @robpeterpaul and at www.robertpeterpaul.com.

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