Peter Keefe

Peter Eugene Keefe (November 16, 1952 – May 27, 2010) was an American television producer best known for creating the popular series Voltron, an English-dubbed combination of Beast King GoLion, and Armored Fleet Dairugger XV, two similar but unrelated "mecha" (giant robot) anime series originally created and produced by Toei Animation. Keefe's work on the series is credited with introducing American audiences to Japanese animation and influenced later shows like the Dragon Ball, Pokémon, and Power Rangers franchises, Over a 20-year span, Keefe created 600 half-hour episodes that were enjoyed by millions of children worldwide. He also adapted another anime series, Star Musketeer Bismarck, into Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs, which was subject to much more significant editing and changes compared to his GoLion and Dairugger XV adaptations.

After Zodiac closed down, Keefe went on to join other companies including Zen Entertainment (as Managing Director from 1994 to 1996). He also launched two global television production and merchandise licensing consultant companies of his own, Peter Keefe Productions and Equator Entertainment (where he also worked as Managing Director). In 1997, he went onto serve as creative consultant on The Mr. Men Show, an American-Canadian children's television series that introduced the British Mr. Men and Little Miss animated series to the United States. In June 2003, Keefe joined the media and entertainment company Earthworks Entertainment, where he served as Chief Executive Officer. There, he marketed and worked on an animated children's Christmas special called Nine Dog Christmas, which revolved around nine stray dogs who are recruited as reindeers to help Santa bring Christmas to the world when his reindeer catches a flu. The special aired on Cartoon Network in the United States in 2005 and on Disney Channel in Asia and Europe.

Death and survivors Known for his distinctive mustache and cowboy boots, Keefe died of throat cancer in Rochester, New York at the age of 57. He was survived by his wife Pamela Mills Keefe, mother Anne, stepson James and five siblings (three sisters Mollie, Lisa and Kittie and two brothers Tony and Chris).

Before his death, Keefe was developing an animated series for Earthworks Entertainment called Z-Force (Zodiac Force), which features twelve action super heroes based on the ancient Oriental Zodiac. He was also a mentor and consultant to Aulsondro "Novelist" Hamilton (better known as Emcee N.I.C.E.) and William "Dolla" Chapman II (better known as D.B.I.) for the CGI musical animated series Da Jammies, produced by Toon Farm Animation for Netflix.