Actor from “The Wonder Years” Dead at 69

(RepublicanJournal.org) – Peter Spellos, who appeared on “The Wonder Years” and had a total of 155 acting credits under his belt, has died at the age of 69. He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but according to his younger brother, James Spellos, the actor’s suffering was brief.

Spellos’s bread-and-butter was composed mostly of small roles, according to his IMBD bio sheet, and he was a common face on numerous television shows beginning in the 1990s. He played Band Member #3 in “The Wonder Years,” appearing in two episodes, and he had speaking extra roles in “Growing Pains,” “FBI: The Untold Stories,” “Red Shoe Diaries,” “Sisters,” and “Married… With Children” among others.

Spellos was likely best known for his performances in the series “American Dreams,” where he played Gus in 26 episodes, and the series “Transformers: Robots in Disguise,” where he played the voice of Sky-Byte in 39 episodes. He actually got his start doing voiceover work and continued to excel in that area throughout his career. His first job, in 1972, was as Ringmaster in an anime short titled “Panda! Go Panda!” He reprised the role in a short sequel the following year. The actor would go on to voice roles in “Akira,” “Black Jack,” “Ghost in the Shell,” “Eagle Riders,” and “Naruto.”

James Spellos stated that his brother had hoped for a Viking’s funeral, with his body allowed to float out to sea and set ablaze by fiery arrows — all set to the music of Frank Sinatra — but his family had to settle on cremation.

Spellos is just one of numerous actors who died in 2023. Others include Joss Ackland, best known for his roles in “The Mighty Ducks,” “Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey,” and “Lethal Weapon 2,” who passed away at the age of 95. Suzanne Shepherd, who made a name for herself in “The Sopranos” and “Goodfellas,” died at 89 years old. Suzanne Somers, the bubbly blonde who played in “Three’s Company,” died the day before she would have turned 77. Perhaps most tragically, Matthew Perry, known for his portrayal of Chandler Bing in “Friends,” died at just 54.