Skip Hinnant, known for his roles in 'The Electric Company' and as the voice of Fritz the Cat, has died at the age of 86.
Skip Hinnant, a celebrated actor and voice artist, has passed away at the age of 86. His family confirmed that he died peacefully on November 8, 2026, in Denver, surrounded by loved ones.
Born Joseph Howard Hinnant on September 12, 1940, in Chincoteague Island, Virginia, Hinnant made a significant mark in the entertainment industry. He was best known for his role as an original cast member of the PBS children’s series The Electric Company, which aired from 1971 to 1977. Over the course of 780 episodes, he portrayed various characters, including Fargo North and Supper Man, alongside notable co-stars such as Morgan Freeman and Rita Moreno.
Hinnant’s career began in the 1960s, where he gained recognition for his role as Schroeder in the Off-Broadway musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, which debuted in 1967. He also had a recurring role on the ABC sitcom The Patty Duke Show from 1963 to 1965.
Perhaps most famously, Hinnant lent his voice to the character Fritz in Ralph Bakshi’s controversial animated films, Fritz the Cat (1972) and its sequel, The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat (1974). His work in voice acting extended to various projects, including the 1977 Rankin/Bass special The Easter Bunny is Comin’ to Town and the animated series My Little Pony.
In addition to his acting career, Hinnant was a dedicated member of several actors’ unions, including Actor’s Equity and the Screen Actors Guild, where he served on the national board from 1980 to 2003. His family noted his pride in advocating for the rights of actors and preserving commercial voice contracts.
Hinnant is survived by his partner Ruth Nerken, four children, nine grandchildren, and his ex-wife Miriam Hinnant. His contributions to television and voice acting have left a lasting legacy in the entertainment world.
