Jeff Garcia, the voice actor and stand-up comedian best known for bringing the character Sheen Estevez to life in Nickelodeon’s “Jimmy Neutron” franchise, died Wednesday, December 10, at age 50. His death was announced by his son, Joseph “Jojo” Garcia, in an emotional Instagram post that celebrated his father’s unique talent and their close relationship.

“With a very heavy heart, I would like to inform everybody that my father, Jeff Garcia, has passed away,” Jojo wrote. “My father was a unique soul. He was unapologetically himself, and I will always admire the love, compassion, and drive that he had.”

Garcia was taken off life support Tuesday night at a Southern California hospital, where he was surrounded by family and friends. His death followed a series of severe health complications that had plagued him in recent months. His lung collapsed on Dec. 9, just days after he was hospitalized with breathing issues on Dec. 8. Garcia had also suffered a stroke weeks before his death and experienced a brain aneurysm earlier in 2025, during which he fell and hit his head.

Born May 3, 1975, in La Puente, California, Garcia began his career in stand-up comedy in the early 1990s, performing at venues throughout Southern California including the renowned Laugh Factory. His natural comedic timing and distinctive voice eventually led him to voice acting, where he would make his most lasting impact on popular culture.

Garcia’s breakthrough came with the 2001 animated film “Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius,” where he voiced Sheen Estevez, the hyperactive and obsessive best friend of child prodigy Jimmy Neutron. The character, a Mexican American teenager with an intense devotion to the fictional superhero Ultra Lord, became a fan favorite for his energetic personality and comedic timing. Garcia’s performance resonated with audiences, and he went on to voice Sheen in 59 episodes of “The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius,” which began airing on Nickelodeon in 2002.

The popularity of Garcia’s character led to “Planet Sheen,” a spinoff series centered on Sheen Estevez that premiered in 2010. The show allowed Garcia to take center stage as the lead character, showcasing his versatility as a voice actor in a science fiction comedy setting.

Beyond the “Jimmy Neutron” franchise, Garcia built an impressive voice acting resume. He voiced Pip the Mouse in the “Barnyard” franchise, which included the 2006 film and the subsequent Nickelodeon series “Back at the Barnyard.” He also lent his voice to characters in the “Happy Feet” films and the “Rio” animated movies, demonstrating his ability to bring personality and humor to a wide range of animated characters.

Throughout his career, Garcia never abandoned his first love: stand-up comedy. He continued to perform regularly at comedy clubs and had recently appeared at conventions where he connected with fans who had grown up watching his work. His commitment to live performance remained strong even as his voice acting career flourished.

In his tribute, Jojo Garcia described the deep bond he shared with his father, noting that they spoke daily and that his father believed in his own comedy aspirations. He was a father, son, uncle, cousin, brother, but most of all, he was Jojo’s best friend. Jojo also praised his father’s professional abilities, noting the unique talent his father possessed in both voice acting and stand-up comedy.

Debi Derryberry, who voiced Jimmy Neutron throughout the series, shared her own tribute on Instagram following the news. She noted that the cast had been together just months before at a convention, adding that Garcia “was always the funniest man in the room.” Her tribute concluded simply: “We’re gonna miss you Sheen.”

Garcia’s impact extended beyond his professional accomplishments. His recent health struggles had forced him to cancel several comedy shows due to illness. Despite these challenges, he remained dedicated to his craft and maintained close relationships with his family and colleagues in the entertainment industry.

In addition to his son Joseph, Garcia is survived by his daughter, Savannah Garcia. He was previously married to Lisa Garcia from 2002 to 2013. His legacy lives on not only through his two children but also through the countless fans who grew up watching his animated characters and the aspiring comedians he influenced throughout his career performing live.

Jojo concluded his tribute by acknowledging his father’s enduring impact: “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. I know you’re in heaven smiling down and you’re in a better place now. No more pain. I’m going to make you proud pops.”