BERT RACCOON IS DEAD!!!

R.I.P. Len Carlson.
Unlike most of the actors who voiced roles in The Raccoons, in particular the first series and the preceding films, Len didn't just do The Raccoons show but voiced and acted in dozens of movies, TV shows and video games. Sadly he died prematurely this year in January aged 68.
For me the Bert Raccoon character was the standout of the show. Whilst voice roles were changed often throughout the shows run , Len was obviously deemed far to good to let go and is one of the few performers who was with the franchise right the way through the original 3 films and the long running TV series.
You know when I was a kid growing up in the mid 80s I remember The Raccoons always being on at ridiculously early times on a Saturday morning like 7am. It always preceded the Saturday morning Kids TV extravaganza that was Going Live in the U.K. in the mid 80s through to the early 90s. Ah, I remember those Saturday mornings so well. Amazing how you could never get up on a School morning at 7.30 but would jump out before 7 on a Saturday to see a cartoon. Kids eh!
The Raccoons was fun, funny and at times very emotional. It is one of the truly vivid memories of my youth. Of course the theme tune was out of this world and I have never before or since heard kids TV theme, including live action shows, which was as rousing or memorable as 'Run With Us'. It used to give me butterflies in my stomach when it came on at the end of the show and I always longed to have a recording of it. Of course now I do and it is still as brilliant as I remember. Its one of those tunes that people remember even if they can't recall the show.
Another poster claimed that there were plans for a feature film. Seems a bit bizarre to launch it on the big screen so long after it last aired. And by the looks of the number of messages posted on this board the show has sadly not gained the cult or sentimental status of other 80s cartoons like He-Man, Transformers or Thundercats. Anyway if they do go ahead a make a movie , which seems unlikely, then it just won't be the same without Len doing Bert.
Anyway I hope he's in heaven, running free!!!