Robert DeWayne Papenbrook (September 18, 1955 – March 17, 2006) was a prominent voice actor from the United States. Affectionately referred to as "Pappy" by his peers in the voice acting community, he became widely recognized for his portrayals of rugged characters, particularly within the realms of anime and video game voice work. Papenbrook gained notable acclaim for his contributions to the Power Rangers series, where he lent his voice to a variety of roles.
His journey into voice acting began when he caught the attention of filmmakers Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, leading to his first significant role in the iconic film Raiders of the Lost Ark. In this movie, he provided the voices for the Hovito natives who chase after Indiana Jones during the film's opening sequence. Among his most memorable performances are his roles as Rito Revolto in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Power Rangers Zeo, Shadowborg in Big Bad Beetleborgs, Scorpix in Beetleborgs Metallix, and Deviot in Power Rangers: Lost Galaxy.
In addition to his voice acting career, Papenbrook was also involved in teaching kickboxing and various martial arts. He married Debbie Rothstein in 1978, and together they had a son, Bryce Papenbrook, who has followed in his father's footsteps as a voice actor.
Sadly, Papenbrook passed away from chronic lung issues on March 17, 2006, at the age of 50. The 2008 DVD release of Adventures in Voice Acting was dedicated to him, showcasing his work prior to his untimely death.
