Animation executive, creator and producer Peter Keefe, best known as the driving force behind the Voltron TV series, died May 27 from throat cancer in Rochester, N.Y. He was 58.
Keefe was best known as master pitchman who also had a lot of creative and marketing savvy.
Voltron stands out among Keefe’s achievements in animation. Keefe adapted the show from two different Japanese anime series into a single storyline. Voltron: Defender of the Universe, debuted in 1984 and became the top-rated children’s syndicated series in 1984 and 1985. Keefe’s approach to the series blazed the trail for other successful Japanese imports, including Power Rangers and Pokemon.
Keefe also began what is considered an early success in co-production with the series Denver the Last Dinosaur, which was a joint French-American production. Keefe created the series, which premiered in 1988 and was sold to more than 90 nations.
Keefe later formed the company Zodiac Entertainment with Brian Lacey, where he created and produced such series as Widget, The Mr. Bogus Show and Twinkle.
His most recent creation, currently in development, is Z~Force, an animated series that features 12 action heroes based on the thousands of years old Oriental zodiac.
Keefe began his career in television entertainment as an on-camera movie critic for the public television outlet in St. Louis. He switched gears from talent to producer in 1983 as VP and executive producer for World Events Productions, which was also based in St. Louis.
Keefe is survived by his wife, Pamela Mills Keefe; his mother, Anne Keefe; a stepson, James; sisters Lisa, Kittie and Mollie; and brothers Tony and Chris.
