Jeff Garcia, the talented stand-up comedian and beloved voice of Sheen Estévez from “The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius,” has sadly passed away at the age of 50. The news was shared by his son, comedian Jojo Garcia, via an emotional Instagram post on Wednesday. Jojo expressed his deep sorrow, stating, “The talent my father possessed was truly one of a kind,” highlighting Jeff’s impact through voice acting and comedy, and referring to him as his hero.
The cause of Garcia’s death has not been officially disclosed, but sources report that he suffered a brain aneurysm earlier this year, which was followed by a stroke and a subsequent collapsed lung.
Debbie Derryberry, who lent her voice to the titular character in “Jimmy Neutron,” mourned her friend and colleague on social media, recalling their recent reunion at a convention and remembering him as the funniest person in the room.
Born in 1975, Garcia’s career began in stand-up comedy during the early 1990s. He made cameo appearances in shows like “Caroline in the City” and “Dangerous Minds,” but it was his role as Sheen Estévez in the animated film “Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius” that catapulted him to prominence. The character, known for his humorous antics and obsession with UltraLord, was a nod to the Sheen/Estévez acting family.
“Jimmy Neutron” earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature, leading to the creation of a successful television spinoff, which aired from 2002 to 2006, where Garcia reprised his role in all 55 episodes. Sheen subsequently starred in the Nickelodeon series “Planet Sheen,” which ran from 2010 to 2013. Garcia’s partnership with “Jimmy Neutron” co-creator Steve Oedekerk continued with the animated film “Barnyard,” where he voiced the character Pip, as well as its TV spinoff “Back at the Barnyard.”
Garcia was recognized for his voice acting efforts with an Annie Award in 2004, specifically for his performance in the “Jimmy Neutron” episode “Nightmare in Retroville.” He also voiced characters in prominent animated franchises like “Happy Feet,” where he portrayed Rinaldo, and in both “Rio” films, contributing to his extensive and varied career.
In recent years, Garcia dedicated his time to stand-up comedy, with his final credited live-action role in the upcoming film “Holy Cash” and his last voice performance as Sheen in the video game “Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny.”
Garcia’s passing is a significant loss for the entertainment community and his fans worldwide. His legacy as a versatile performer who brought joy to many will undoubtedly live on through his memorable characters and comedic contributions.