The Energon Pub

Once again we find ourselves mourning the loss of another Canadian voice actor. Pauline Newstone, much loved voice of Airazor in the Beast Wars series, passed away on May 5 this year, though cause and age aren't known. The news comes from Garry Chalk collaborator Candice Santora who was spreading the word of her passing on Tuesday as it came with little fanfare at the time. Chalk himself apparently spotted her name during the UBCP/ACTRA Awards (British Columbia's actors union) In Memoriam segment he attended on November 25.

Outside of Transformers she was the first English voice for Frieza in Dragon Ball Z, Mum Mew in Monster Rancher, Mistress Centipede in InuYasha, Agatha Harkness in X-Man: Evolution, Haka in Mummies Alive! and various voices in Captain N.

Sad news. Even worse that no one seemed close enough to be aware that she had passed? Although I will remember her more as the voice of Frieza, not Airazor.

Slowly but surely...

I very much liked the Airazor character and the voice actress' performance. Had no idea she'd also voiced Frieza in DBZ, which I had watched as a kid too.

Such a tragedy. She voiced so many characters so well. RIP.

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Sad news. Even worse that no one seemed close enough to be aware that she had passed?

Reportedly, she was a very private person who didn't do conventions much and didn't understand the fandom as a subculture. When she did her one and only BotCon back in 2006, she did not want anyone to take her picture and the organizers at the time politely complied with her wishes.

Sabrblade wrote:

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Sad news. Even worse that no one seemed close enough to be aware that she had passed?

Reportedly, she was a very private person who didn't do conventions much and didn't understand the fandom as a subculture. When she did her one and only BotCon back in 2006, she did not want anyone to take her picture and the organizers at the time politely complied with her wishes.

That's a shame. But I've heard a lot of VA's in the past prefer their anonymity over fame. Then again (As Frieza) she had a very distinct voice. I retain the DBZ preface, because I only really recall Airazor from her exit in Other Visits. Having not seen it's entirety since VHS. I've blanked most of Season One. Her presence, most of all.

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Sad news. Even worse that no one seemed close enough to be aware that she had passed?

Reportedly, she was a very private person who didn't do conventions much and didn't understand the fandom as a subculture. When she did her one and only BotCon back in 2006, she did not want anyone to take her picture and the organizers at the time politely complied with her wishes.

That's a shame. But I've heard a lot of VA's in the past prefer their anonymity over fame. Then again (As Frieza) she had a very distinct voice. I retain the DBZ preface, because I only really recall Airazor from her exit in Other Visits. Having not seen it's entirety since VHS. I've blanked most of Season One. Her presence, most of all.

Truth be told, this lack of attention doesn't surprise me that much, since Airazor wasn't one of the more popular Beast Wars characters. She got the least focus of all the Maximals (her debut episode was more about Rhinox), and of the two fembots Blackarachnia was way more prominent.

She never even spoke to Dinobot. Even Silverbolt talked to Dinobot. Twice.

Sabrblade wrote:Truth be told, this lack of attention doesn't surprise me that much, since Airazor wasn't one of the more popular Beast Wars characters. She got the least focus of all the Maximals (her debut episode was more about Rhinox), and of the two fembots Blackarachnia was way more prominent.

She never even spoke to Dinobot. Even Silverbolt talked to Dinobot. Twice.

That part always makes me laugh. The second most prominent Maximal character (I'd say Rattrap would arguably be first) and the last new recruit, also the only female Maximal in Beast Wars. Strictly speaking, never met.