I was surfing IMDB and stumbled on some sad news. Turns out Carl Steven (the only actor besides Frank Welker to voice Fred Jones in a Scooby Doo series) died last year.

Carlo Steven Krakoff

November 7, 1974 - July 31, 2011

Life Legacy

Carlo Steven Krakoff (36) of Mesa, AZ passed away in Tucson, AZ on Sunday, July 31, 2011. Professionally known as; Carl Steven young entertainer from the early age of 6 years to his late teens. Known for parts in various commercials and moives such as; Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Star Treck III: The Search for Spock, Teen Wolf, 1988-1991 voice as Fred: A Pup Named Scooby Doo, and Little House in the Prairie: For the Love of Nancy, to name few. From the family: " Our beloved Carlo was born entertainer and lived his life accordingly. The middle son of Glenn and Cynthis Krakoff, his love of singing, acting, and making people laugh was known by all that knew him. He was a successful actor starting at age 6 until his late teens, appearing in many commercials, television shows, movies and providing several cartoon voices. He was lucky to meet, merry, and share his life with his soul mate Dawn. You would often find him behind the keys of a piano entertaining his friends, family, wife, and their beautiful son Noah. If not behind the piano, you would usually find him on a golf course or fishing on one of his favorite lakes. He was always the favorite uncle to his several nieces and nephews. He was always the favorite brother of his other two brothers. He was always the person that could cheer you up with a song or a smile. He is survived by his beautiful son Noah, wife Dawn, parents Glenn and Cynthia, brothers Marcello and Angelo, grandmother Lori, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and his many wonderful friends".

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It's just depressing to know that a guy who helped redefine an iconic character when he was only 12 years old died so young. So I felt compelled to make a little tribute to him.

RIP Carl. And thanks for all the laughs. You were one of the few guys who could take a role that Frank Welker played for over 20 years and totally make it your own. And you did it when you were just a kid. That's pretty darn awesome.