‘Speed Racer’ Dies

Peter Fernandez, who lent his voice to the title character in the U.S. version of the Japanese-originated “Speed Racer” cartoon, has died of lung cancer. Fernandez died Thursday at his home in Pomona, New York. He was 83. In addition to voicing Speed Racer, Fernandez also voiced Racer X and other characters on the 1960s animated series. He penned the lyrics to the show’s theme song and lent his voice to characters in the “Astro Boy,” “Ultraman,” “Gigantor” and “Star Blazers” cartoons.