Comedian and voice actor Jeffrey Garcia, best known for his work on the Nickelodeon show “Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius,” has died. He was 50.
Garcia’s son, Jojo Garcia, confirmed his death in a post on Instagram on Wednesday.
“With a very heavy heart, I would like to inform everybody that my father, Jeff Garcia, has passed away,” he wrote. “My father was a unique soul. He was unapologetically himself and I will always admire the love, compassion, and drive that he had. He taught me so much and gave me advice that I live by every single day.
“I would call him every day. I would tell him about the plans I had in comedy and my life. He believed in me, in a way that nobody else did,” the younger Garcia continued. “The talent my father possessed was truly one of a kind. From voice acting to stand up comedy, he shined with his quick wit, brash humor, and charm.
“He has made such an impact on people’s lives internationally, whether you grew up watching Jimmy Neutron, or shared a laugh with him at one of his shows. He was my hero… I idolized him. He may be gone, but he will NEVER be forgotten. He lives on through our family and friends he loved so dearly, along with the legacy he has created.”
TMZ reported that Garcia had suffered a brain aneurysm last spring, during which he fell and hit his head. He recovered, but then suffered a stroke several weeks ago.
He had been hospitalized on Nov. 20 for pneumonia but was later discharged. He died Wednesday at a California hospital after being taken off life support.
Garcia voiced the character Sheen on the popular Nickelodeon cartoon show “Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius” for all three seasons the show aired, from 2002-06.
The popularity of the cartoon led to a spinoff show, “Planet Sheen,” which ran for 26 episodes. Garcia voiced the character on that show as well.
He also voiced Pip the Mouse in the film “Barnyard” and its spin-off series “Back at the Barnyard.” He also did voice work for “Happy Feet” and “Happy Feet Two,” and “Rio.”
Garcia got his start doing stand-up comedy in the 1990s and continued to perform until becoming ill.