The Legendary Voice Behind Crasher from GoBots — The Incredible Career of Marilyn Lightstone!

Story by Mitchell Smith

Today I’m taking a look at a name that might not ring a bell. Marilyn Lightstone was born in 1940 in Montreal, PQ. One of most famous rolls was voicing Crasher in the animated series GoBots, but she has had quite a career and has voiced many animated rolls along with live rolls. Lightstone graduated from Montreal’s McGill University which I thought about attending myself but I had a hard time learning French. After that Lightstone attended National theater school and she was on her way. Lightstone voiced the Queen in the 1981 cult classic animated movie “Heavy Metal”.

Back in the day this was a pretty intense movie as I watched it around age 8 or 9. She also was in a number of feature films such as “ The Tin Flute”, The Wild Pony, and “Iron Eagle on the Attack”. Lightstone’s career started in 1966 in TV though and she has voiced some of our favorite characters over the years. She was Sonja in “Heathcliff”, she was Martha Wilson in the 1986 animated “Dennis the Menace”, and Aunt Lois in “The real Ghost Busters”. Lightstone also made several appearances on TV shows like “Cheers” and “Cagney & Lacey”. I recently started watching “GoBots” on Tubi. That opening scene with Lightstone as Crasher absolutely just reaches out grabs you and pulls you in.

The show in my opinion is written very well for the early 80’s animation. I think I will be doing a deep dive into that show in the near future. As for Lghtstone she has been laying low since 2012, but has said she would consider acting again if the right roll came along, but she is perfectly happy with being retired. Lightstone has had a nice career and bringing Crasher to life is one of my favorite rolls, not to knock any of her other wonderful work. Have a great week everyone.