George Low, the actor who voiced superhero-turned talk show host Space Ghost, passed away Sunday in Lakeland, Florida on “Space Ghost: Coast to Coast” on the cartoon network for nearly 20 years. He was 67 years old.
His agent, Christy Clark, confirmed his death. His family said in a statement that Lowe had made a challenging recovery after undergoing elective heart surgery in November.
“Space Ghost: Coast to Coast” was the first completely original program of Cartoon Network and Spark that led to the creation of Adult Swim, the network's late-night programming block. Running for 11 seasons from 1994 to 2012, the show reimagined Space Ghost, the title character of the 1960s Hannah Barbera superhero cartoon, as the host of a temperamental talk show, in a new form that mixes animation and live action.
Thanks to the enviable lineup of guests, the strange Al Jankovich, Beck and Sarah Jessica Parker were among the celebrities who appeared – and apparently wall interview questions (“Do you get enough oxygen?” Space Ghost asked Hulk Hogan), the show became a cult favorite among teenagers and young adults, helping them start swimming for adults.
At the heart of this was Mr. Lowe. Dave Willis, the show's writer and producer, said Lowe had “a big, booming film trailer voice” and approached the role of a morning drive-time DJ before he got into voice work. His friendly, very entertaining Kvetching helped shape Space Space Ghost's new persona, Willis said.
“It's just the second he's going into the room and turn on the microphone,” Willis said. “As time passed, the characters took on a certain aspect of George and actually made the show work.”
Produced on a minimal budget, the show featured interviews with celebrities guests over speaker phones. Guests will hear questions through earphones, such as those that Turner controlled television studios can find, or video recorded on Willie Nelson's tour bus.
Their images are layered on an animated television monitor next to Space Ghost's desk.
Space Ghost dialogue was written and recorded after the interview was conducted. So, by design, the answers didn't always match the question exactly with the humorous effect. (“Do you have any advice for us?” Space Ghost asked Joe Franklin, a former fellow talk show host.
Some were confused by unconventional questions, while others played with them. (After former lead singer and guitarist Paul Westerberg, who never saw the show, Willis spoke to the New York Times in 2021, and began asking guests to sign the exemption before being interviewed.)
George Lowe was born on November 10th, 1957 in Dunedin, Florida. He moved to Atlanta in the late 1980s and took part in the “Breakfast Club” morning show at Power 99, the top 40 station. He continued his voice over work at the 99X, an alternative lock station that replaces the Power 99, and also lends his voice to hundreds of radio commercials and television promotions, the Journal Constitution reported.
Information about his survivors was not immediately available.
Lowe loves creating abstract art, and Willis said some of his paintings are in the permanent collection of High Museums in Atlanta, and they collect prints from pop artists such as Andy Warhol, Craze Oldenburg and James Rosenquist.
Over a career that lasted more than 30 years, Lowe has provided voice to many characters from other adult swim shows, including “Robot Chicken,” “Black Show,” “Squid,” “Seeky Love 2021,” and “Aqua Teen Hanger Force.”
However, Mr. Lowe is most closely associated with Space Ghosts, and was known to wear a full costume to promote his talk show. He expressed his character until the 2012 series finale, recreating his role last year in the “Space Con” episode of the Max Animated Series “Jellystone!”
Matt Honeygan, producer of Space Ghost: Coast to Coast, who directed a short documentary about Lowe called “Row Country,” said Lowe was the secret source for the show.
“Some people will say that one of the hardest things about constructing a fictional character is to communicate humanity,” he said. “Fortunately, George was a space ghost, warts and all human aspects, so we were able to steal it from George.”
Earlier this week, Willis looked back on five of Lowe's most memorable “Space Ghost” episodes.
September 23, 1994
The strange Al Jankovich and the school d
The strange Al Jankovic outlines his superpower. This includes “You can eat your weight with the dong. I can stare at them and turn the red traffic lights green, and I can do oil paintings with my butt.” “This is enough to be on this show,” replies Space Ghost.
October 17, 1997
Pavement, Goldie Hawn, Tommy Davidson
Space Ghost tries to interview Goldie Horn while making a mistake on paving the indie rock band for the Beatles and playing a song that consists solely of “Space Ghost.”
“Their drummer, Steve West, had an implicit understanding of how we made the show,” Willis said. “He gave me a long list of replies that can be used anywhere. He said very sharply: “Yes. No, I like this. This is a good thing.”
November 7, 1997
Rob Zombie and Raven Simone
Wrestler Randy Savage steals the show as Space Ghost's grandfather, Leonard Ghost (Picture Space Ghost, and White Beard). He interrupts the Space Ghost interview with the offensive Rob Zombie and the young Raven Simone, and eventually takes over herself and asks Raven questions, including whether she viewed anyone at school.
“Everything I remember is that Randy Savage thinks he should use a hair conditioner,” Willis said with a laugh.
December 10th, 1999
Conan O'Brien
Conan O'Brien, Willis, said he “had a full understanding of the assignments.” In this fan-favorite episode, “Late Show” comedian joke Space Ghost is then bitten by a Fire Ali. He chases it into the house, vowing to “kill the whole family,” as a long 11-minute space ghost flying slowly, muttering to himself.
“It's the most boring, campy TV test of viewers' patience,” Willis said.
December 7th, 2001
Willie Nelson
Space Ghost fell during difficult times, and his show was sold to “failed liquor chains” – its mascot is “Old Kentucky Shark” – due to the confused + edits of Willie Nelson and frequent appearances by that giant shark and crazy bear, this episode is a laughing slurred.
“Old Kentucky sharks have found their way in a lot of things now,” Willis said. “I just stole it from an old episode of “Sealab.” We were cutting things from an old Hannah Barbera episode because Turner owned them. ”
