“Chris was an extraordinary man who deeply loved and respected his profession with great old fashion manners, self deprecating humor and the music of words. He was a National Treasure who deeply relished his Canadian roots," friend and manager Lou Pitt said in a statement to Deadline. "Through his art and humanity, he touched all of our hearts and his legendary life will endure for all generations to come. He will forever be with us.”
Through each of the ensuing decades, he went on to appear in high-grossing and critically acclaimed films, branching out in the 2000s and 2010s to lend his distinct, dignified rasp to memorably-voiced characters in numerous video games and animated films.