Peter Spellos, “Transformers” Voice Actor, Dead at 69: 'A Gentler Giant Never Existed'

Spellos played Sky-Byte in the TV series 'Transformers: Robots in Disguise' and also appeared in such including 'Men in Black II'

Peter Spellos, an actor best known for voicing the role of Sky-Byte in the animated TV series Transformers: Robots in Disguise, has reportedly died at the age of 69.

"Peter was surrounded by friends and family, as well as showered with loving messages from fans around the world throughout this difficult time," Jennifer Smith, one of Spellos's acting students who has power of attorney, confirmed to PEOPLE (the news first appeared on TMZ).

The actor died after a battle with pancreatic cancer, according to Smith. Producer and director Fred Olen Ray also confirmed the news on his Facebook page, writing that Spellos died at 2:30 a.m. on Sunday.

"Many of you knew Peter personally. He had more loving friends than there are stars in the sky. A gentler giant never existed," he wrote. "A talented actor, teacher and wise old owl. He always made me laugh. I cannot even recall how many movies we made together, but they would probably fill a book... maybe some day they will. Goodbye, pal."

A GoFundMe created earlier this year, organized by fellow acting student Abby White, noted that Spellos was diagnosed with stage 3 pancreatic cancer in July. The fundraiser detailed that Spellos was based in Indianapolis and had "started a chemotherapy regimen, and is fighting this new nemesis like the Superman that we all know he is."

The fundraiser was last updated on Nov. 1, when Spellos posed for a Halloween selfie. More than 250 people had donated roughly $22,000 to assist Spellos with his medical care.

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While Spellos voiced Sky-Byte in 39 episodes of the Transformers series in the early 2000s, he also lent his talents to several other animated series, including Naruto, Bleach, Digemon: Digital Monsters, Blue Dragon and Cowboy Bebop.

His other roles include Gus in 26 episodes of the series American Dreams, Motorman in Men in Black II, Tracy's father in 1991's Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare and a security guard in 2009's Yes Man.

On his website, Spellos described his role in American Dreams as a "sentimental favorite" of his career. The series, which aired on NBC from 2002 to 2005, took home two Primetime Emmy Awards in 2003 for hairstyling and costumes.

Spellos's website noted that he had taught acting since 1989 and founded the New Mercury Theatre Company in 2008.

Testimonials on his site referred to him as the "epitome of a creative artist," a "remarkable teacher" and someone who "brings out the best" in his students.

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