Robert DeWayne Papenbrook was born on September 18, 1955, and passed away on March 17, 2006, at the age of 50, due to chronic lung problems.
Known as "Pappy" by his fellow voice actors, Papenbrook was a renowned voice actor, particularly in the realms of anime and video game voice-overs, for his distinctive portrayal of "gruff" characters.
Notably, he was also recognized for his live-action voice-overs, with a significant role in the Power Rangers franchise. His early exposure came when he was discovered by renowned filmmakers Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, securing his first voice acting role in the 1981 film Raiders of the Lost Ark, where he voiced the Hovito natives who pursued Indiana Jones.
Throughout his career, Papenbrook's most notable roles included 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.
Beyond his acting endeavors, Papenbrook was also an instructor in kickboxing and other martial arts. He married Debbie Rothstein in 1978 and had a son, Bryce Papenbrook, who also pursued a career in voice acting.
Papenbrook's legacy continues to be celebrated, with the 2008 DVD Adventures in Voice Acting dedicated to his memory, featuring footage shot prior to his passing.
