WWE star Shad Gaspard tragically passed away last week after getting lost in a riptide while swimming near Venice Beach, CA. The performer is most recognized for his accolades in the wrestling ring, but many don't realize that he played a big role in the world of gaming as well: Kratos in God of War.
Kratos was voiced brilliantly by Christopher Judge in the 2018 Game of the Year winner, but Kratos' body and physical action? That was all Gaspard. The wrestler was digitally scanned to create Kratos' physique, and he was also motion captured for a majority of the game's hand-to-hand combat.
So while Gaspard should certainly be remembered for what he accomplished as a pro wrestler and martial artist, he also played a huge role in one of the most pivotal games of the last decade. Without him, Kratos' revamped appearance and fighting technique could have looked completely different from what we experienced in the game.
Unfortunately, this means that Gaspard will be unable to reprise the role in the inevitable God of War 2. While the game hasn't been officially announced, we're all but certain that it will hit the PS5 sometime in the next few years. Still, he'll be remembered for helping to make the modern PS4 classic what it is today.