Jim Ward, the prolific voice actor behind several standout characters on Nickelodeon’s The Fairly OddParents, has died at the age of 66.
According to People, Stephanie Miller, host of The Stephanie Miller Show, confirmed his death on December 10. Ward had worked for more than a decade as a co-host and announcer on the show.
Miller shared the news publicly after receiving a message from Ward’s wife, Janice, announcing that he passed away at 10:45 a.m.
In a follow-up post, Miller described Ward as “beyond brilliance,” acknowledging both his creative talent and his long-standing presence on her nationally syndicated radio program.
For many fans, Ward is most closely associated with The Fairly OddParents, where he voiced two recurring characters who became part of the show’s DNA.
He brought to life Doug Dimmadome, the towering, cowboy-hatted business tycoon of Dimmsdale, as well as Chet Ubetcha, the hyperactive reporter for Channel 7 News.
Ward appeared in 95 episodes of the series between 2001 and 2017.
Ward’s voice work extended far beyond Nickelodeon. He was a regular presence in animation and gaming for decades, including roles on Cartoon Network’s Ben 10 and as Captain Qwark in the Ratchet & Clank video game franchise.
His gaming résumé also included parts in Grim Fandango, Diablo III, BioShock 2, Batman: Arkham Knight, Metal Gear Solid 3, and multiple Star Wars titles.
In 2021, Ward faced serious health challenges after being hospitalized for a memory-related issue that led to complications from a severe case of COVID-19, according to IGN. The illness reportedly left him paralyzed for several months. He was later diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, which prevented him from returning to the role of Captain Qwark in Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart.