Jeff Garcia, the beloved voice actor who brought the hyperactive Sheen Estevez to life in the “Jimmy Neutron” franchise, died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, at age 50 after being removed from life support at a Southern California hospital while surrounded by family and friends.
Garcia’s son, Joseph “Jojo” Garcia, announced his father’s passing on Instagram. “My father was a unique soul,” Jojo wrote. “He taught me so much and gave me advice that I live by every single day. He was a Father, Son, Uncle, Cousin, Brother, but most of all, he was my best friend.”
The comedian and actor faced severe health complications in the months leading up to his death. He suffered a brain aneurysm in spring 2025, during which he fell and hit his head. While he recovered from the aneurysm, he experienced a stroke several weeks ago.
Garcia was hospitalized around Nov. 20 with pneumonia and was later discharged. However, his health deteriorated in recent weeks. He had canceled multiple shows because he wasn’t feeling well but chose not to seek hospital treatment, believing he would recover without medical intervention.
On Monday, Dec. 8, Garcia returned to the hospital with difficulty breathing. His lung collapsed on Tuesday, Dec. 9, and he was taken off life support on Tuesday night. He was pronounced dead early Wednesday morning, Dec. 10.
Born May 3, 1975, Garcia started his career as a stand-up comedian in the early 1990s, performing regularly at Southern California comedy clubs. He became a fixture at the Laugh Factory comedy club, where he built a reputation for his quick wit and sharp humor.
Garcia’s Hollywood breakthrough came with the 2001 animated film “Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius,” where he voiced the obsessive and enthusiastic Sheen Estevez. The character became a fan favorite, leading Garcia to voice Sheen in 59 episodes of Nickelodeon’s “The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius” television series.
The character proved so popular that Garcia starred in his own spinoff show, “Planet Sheen,” which ran for 26 episodes beginning in 2010. The series centered on Sheen’s adventures on an alien planet, allowing Garcia to showcase his vocal talents as the lead character.
Beyond “Jimmy Neutron,” Garcia built an impressive voice acting portfolio. He voiced Pip the Mouse in the 2006 film “Barnyard” and reprised the role in the television spinoff “Back at the Barnyard,” which aired from 2007 to 2011. He also played the penguin Rinaldo in both “Happy Feet” movies and had voice roles in “Rio,” “Rio 2” and “Marmaduke” in 2010.
Garcia also worked in live-action television, appearing in the sitcom “Mr. Box Office.” He performed stand-up comedy throughout his career and appeared on stage as recently as early November, just weeks before his hospitalization.
Jamie Masada, owner of the Laugh Factory, praised Garcia’s contributions to comedy and his community. Masada described Garcia as a special comedian who had a huge heart and used his success for outreach to the Latino community, helping to inspire young comics. Shortly after news of Garcia’s passing broke, Masada had the Laugh Factory post a tribute on its iconic Hollywood marquee.
Debi Derryberry, who voiced Jimmy Neutron throughout the series, shared her grief on social media.
In his Instagram tribute, Jojo Garcia reflected on the close relationship he shared with his father. The younger Garcia, who has embarked on his own comedy career, wrote that he called his father every day to discuss his plans in comedy and life. “He believed in me, in a way that nobody else did,” Jojo wrote.
Garcia’s impact extended beyond his immediate family. His son noted that Garcia made a significant impact on people’s lives internationally, whether through his work on “Jimmy Neutron” or through his stand-up comedy performances.
Garcia is survived by his son Joseph, his daughter Savannah, and his ex-wife Lisa Garcia.
The voice actor’s career spanned more than two decades, during which he became a recognizable voice to a generation of children who grew up watching Nickelodeon cartoons. His portrayal of Sheen Estevez remains one of the most memorable characters in the “Jimmy Neutron” franchise, cementing his place in animation history.