Actors from ‘The Transformers’ Franchise We’ve Lost

The ‘Transformers’ film franchise has captivated global audiences for nearly two decades with its high speed action and complex robotic characters. While many of the stars who brought these mechanical beings and their human allies to life are still active in Hollywood, several have unfortunately passed away since the series began in 2007. These talented individuals contributed to the massive success of the series through both physical performances and memorable vocal work. This list honors the actors from the ‘Transformers’ movie franchise who are no longer with us.

Bernie Mac

Bernie Mac portrayed the enthusiastic used car salesman Bobby Bolivia in the 2007 film ‘Transformers’. His character provided a comedic highlight as he sold the protagonist his first car which was actually the Autobot Bumblebee in disguise. Mac passed away on August 9, 2008, at the age of 50 due to complications arising from pneumonia and sarcoidosis. He was a celebrated comedian known for his unique brand of humor and his successful sitcom. His work in the first installment remains a fan favorite moment in the franchise.

Francesco Quinn

Francesco Quinn provided the voice for the Autobot Dino in the 2011 sequel ‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon’. He gave the character a distinct Italian flair and contributed to the high speed chase sequences through the streets of Chicago. Quinn passed away on August 5, 2011, at the age of 48 after suffering a heart attack while jogging near his home. His performance as the sleek red Ferrari Transformer was his final film role before his sudden death. The actor was also well known for his roles in classic movies like ‘Platoon’ and various television dramas.

Leonard Nimoy

Leonard Nimoy voiced the treacherous former leader of the Autobots named Sentinel Prime in ‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon’. This was not his first encounter with the franchise as he previously voiced Galvatron in the 1986 animated feature. Nimoy died on February 27, 2015, at the age of 83 from complications of end stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He was widely recognized for his legendary portrayal of Spock in the ‘Star Trek’ series and was a prolific director. His sonorous voice brought a sense of gravitas and authority to the complex character of Sentinel Prime.

George Coe

George Coe lent his voice to the elderly Autobot inventor and scientist known as Wheeljack or Que in ‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon’. The character was modeled after the classic look of Albert Einstein and assisted the main characters with advanced weaponry. Coe passed away on July 18, 2015, at the age of 86 following a long illness that included a struggle with lymphoma. He was a veteran actor who was part of the original cast of ‘Saturday Night Live’ and had a storied career in film. His contribution to the third film added a unique intellectual layer to the Autobot ranks.

William Morgan Sheppard

William Morgan Sheppard appeared in the first ‘Transformers’ film as Captain Archibald Witwicky in a flashback sequence. His character discovered the frozen body of Megatron in the Arctic and accidentally imprinted the location of the AllSpark onto his spectacles. Sheppard died on January 6, 2019, at the age of 86 after a battle with cancer. The English actor had a prolific career spanning over fifty years with numerous appearances in ‘Star Trek’ and other science fiction projects. He was respected for his powerful stage and screen presence throughout his long professional life.

Esther Scott

Esther Scott played the role of Glen Whitmann’s grandmother in the 2007 blockbuster ‘Transformers’. Her character was part of a memorable comedic scene where government agents raided the family home looking for the lead characters. Scott passed away on February 14, 2020, at the age of 66 following a heart attack she suffered earlier that week. She was a seasoned supporting actress with over seventy credits to her name including roles in ‘Boyz n the Hood’ and ‘The Help’. Her performance in the first film added a layer of domestic humor to the intense science fiction plot.

Clark Middleton

Clark Middleton had a supporting role as a scientist named Cyril in the 2009 film ‘Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen’. His character worked alongside the protagonists to uncover the secrets hidden within ancient symbols and mechanical artifacts. Middleton died on October 4, 2020, at the age of 63 after contracting the West Nile virus. He was a versatile actor known for his recurring roles in ‘The Blacklist’ and the ‘Twin Peaks’ revival. His work often focused on complex characters and he was also a dedicated advocate for people living with disabilities.

Ravil Isyanov

Ravil Isyanov appeared in the 2011 film ‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon’ as a Ukrainian official named Alexi Voskhod. His character was involved in the early discovery of a fuel cell from the Ark during the exploration of the Chernobyl power plant. Isyanov passed away on September 29, 2021, at the age of 59 following a prolonged battle with cancer. He was a Russian born actor who frequently portrayed international characters in high profile television shows like ‘The Americans’. His participation in the third movie helped set the stage for the global conspiracy plot within the film.

Kirk Baily

Kirk Baily provided the voice for the Autobot Brawn during the opening sequence of the 2018 spin off film ‘Bumblebee’. This movie served as a soft reboot for the series and featured several classic character designs from the original cartoon era. Baily died on February 28, 2022, at the age of 59 from heart failure caused by a battle with lung cancer. He was widely recognized for his role as Kevin Ug Lee on the Nickelodeon series ‘Salute Your Shorts’ and was a prolific voice actor. His involvement in the franchise brought a nostalgic connection to the long history of these mechanical characters.

Tony Todd

Tony Todd provided the menacing voice for the titular villain in the 2009 film ‘Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen’. As the Fallen he served as the ancient master of the Decepticons who sought to destroy the sun to harvest its energy. Todd passed away on November 6, 2024, at the age of 69 after a terminal battle with stomach cancer. He was a legendary figure in the horror genre best known for his portrayal of the title character in the ‘Candyman’ series. His deep and gravelly voice was perfectly suited for the powerful and ancient antagonist of the second live action installment.

Noah Nelson

Noah Nelson provided additional voice work for the first ‘Transformers’ movie released in 2007. While his on screen presence was not seen he was part of the large vocal ensemble that brought life to the various robotic and background characters. Nelson passed away on January 20, 2025, at the age of 73 following a long career dedicated to voice acting in both film and video games. He was notable for his roles in the ‘Jackie Chan Adventures’ series and several entries in ‘The Elder Scrolls’ gaming franchise. His work helped establish the auditory landscape of the initial film that launched the global movie series.

Please share your favorite memories of these talented performers and their contributions to the franchise in the comments.