Jefferson Utanes
Jefferson Utanes | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jefferson Seril Utanes June 9, 1979 |
| Died | December 16, 2025 (aged 46) Metro Manila, Philippines |
| Resting place | Providence Memorial Park, Antipolo, Rizal |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1997–2025 |
| Employers |
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| Spouse | Catherine Feliciano |
| Children | 2 |
Jefferson Seril Utanes (June 9, 1979 – December 16, 2025) was a Filipino voice actor. He had provided voices for Filipino-language versions of anime, cartoons, films, and live-action programs from overseas. He was widely recognised as the second voice of Goku in Dragon Ball franchise, replacing Nesty Ramirez, and he was nicknamed "Goku ng Pinas" (Goku of the Philippines).
Utanes had also voiced the titular character of Doraemon, Germany and America in Hetalia: Axis Powers, Kousei Arima in Your Lie in April, Kyon in The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Professor Oak and James in Pokémon, Syaoran Li in Cardcaptor Sakura, Allen Walker in D.Gray-man, Eugene H. Krabs and French Narrator in SpongeBob SquarePants, Hisoka and Kite in Hunter × Hunter, and Kogoro Mouri and Mitsuhiko Tsuburaya in Detective Conan.
Career
In February 2024, he expressed criticism on the House bill filed by then-Negros Occidental's 3rd congressional district representative Jose Francisco Benitez that bans Filipino dubbing on foreign shows and films. He asserted that the Philippine voice acting industry is responsible for translating and dubbing foreign programs and films for the mass audience so they can understand the original context.[1]
Personal life
Utanes was married to Catherine Feliciano, and they had two sons.[2]
Illness and death
Utanes died on December 16, 2025. He was diagnosed with stage 5 chronic kidney disease.[3]
Filmography
Voice acting
Animation
| Original year[a] | Title | Role | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979–2024 | Doraemon | Doraemon | Also includes the Stand by Me Doraemon films | |
| 1996–2025 | Detective Conan | Kogoro Mouri, Mitsuhiko Tsuburaya, Ninzaburo Shiratori | ||
| 1999–2025 | SpongeBob SquarePants | Eugene H. Krabs, French Narrator, Realistic Fish Head, Kevin C. Cucumber, Flying Dutchman, Man Ray, Perch Perkins, Bubble Bass, Flats Flounder, Patchy the Pirate | Western animation | |
| 2006–08 | D.Gray-man | Allen Walker | ||
| 2006 | We Were There | Motoharu "Moto" Yano | ||
| 2006; 2009 | The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya | Kyon, Arakawa | [3] | |
| 2013–14 | Free! | Seijūrō Mikoshiba, Momotarou Mikoshiba, Sōsuke Yamazaki | First two seasons; also served as ADR director | [4] |
| 2014–15 | Your Lie in April | Kousei Arima | [2] | |
| 2024–25 | Dandadan | Ken "Okarun" Takakura | Final role | [5] |
Announcer
| Year | Title | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001–02 | Family Feud | ABC-5 era only. | [4] |
| 2009–23 | It's Showtime | Announcer for sponsors and some promotional segments. |
Notes
- ^ Original airing date of media; not the dubbed version.
References
- ^ Mendoza, Ralph (February 27, 2024). "Voice actor, pumalag sa pagbabawal ng Filipino dubbing" [Voice actor challenges ban on Filipino dubbing]. Balita. Manila Bulletin. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
- ^ a b C., Toff (December 16, 2025). "Jefferson Utanes, the voice behind Filipino-dubbed Son Goku, passes away". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
- ^ a b Pineda, Rafael Antonio (December 17, 2025). "Philippine Dub Veteran Jefferson Utanes Dies". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
- ^ a b Baylon, Khryzztine Joy (December 17, 2025). "Jeff Utanes, PH voice actor of Son Goku, passes away at 46". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
- ^ Basina, Carby Rose (December 17, 2025). "Jefferson Utanes, the Tagalog voice actor of Doraemon and Son Goku, dies at 46". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
External links
- Jefferson Utanes at IMDb
- Jefferson Utanes at Anime News Network's encyclopedia