Biography
Animator C. Martin Croker enjoyed a long association with two of the most creative cartoon series of the late '90s and beyond: the satirical "Space Ghost Coast to Coast" (Cartoon Network 1994-2004) and the surreal "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" (Adult Swim, 2000- ). Initially, Croker provided set design for "Space Ghost," but later became a key member of its cast by providing the voices for two of its main characters, the villainous bandleader Zorak and the more placid director Moltar. Croker would go on to voice the iconic characters in numerous iterations of "Space Ghost" while also working as an animator and designer on "Aqua Teen." In addition to these duties, he voiced two supporting characters for the latter series, the addled Dr. Weird and his querulous assistant Steve. In 2007, Croker was the animation director for "Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters," the deeply polarizing feature film version of the series. Croker's delirious vocal performances, as well as his design and animation work on these two series, made him a cult favorite among fans of offbeat and alternative animation series. Born Clay Martin Croker in Atlanta, Georgia on January 10, 1962, C. Martin Croker began his long association with the Cartoon Network and the "Space Ghost" franchise as set designer for "Space Ghost Coast to Coast." He also provided the voices of Space Ghost's two main sidekicks - the sardonic, insectoid Zorak, who was the faux talk show's music director, and Moltar, a creature made of lava that toiled as its director. Croker would divide his time between behind-the-scenes work and voice-over acting throughout the decade-long run of "Space Ghost" and its various spin-offs, serving as animation director on "Space Ghost" while voicing Zorak and Moltar for "Cartoon Planet" (Cartoon Network 1995-98) and "The Brak Show" (Cartoon Network, 2001-03). During this period, he also animated various promotional spots for TNT and bumpers for Cartoon Network, and voiced characters for the anime spoof series "Perfect Hair Forever" (Cartoon Network 2004-07). In 2000, Croker began providing the voice of Dr. Weird, the inept mad scientist featured in the cold openings for the first two seasons of "Aqua Teen Hunger Force," as well as his wary assistant, Steve. Croker also worked as a cel animator and designer on numerous episodes of the offbeat series, and in 2007, served as animation director for its curious feature film debut, "Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters." Croker later provided background, prop and character design for such animated series as "Ugly Americans" (Comedy Central 2010-12) while continuing to voice Zorak for a revamped "Cartoon Planet" (Cartoon Network 2012-14). Croker died at his home in Atlanta on September 18, 2016. He was 54.
