Jeff Utanes passed away at the mere age of 46, leaving behind a grieving family and a timeless legacy. Here's everything we know about the late voice actor's family life.
Jefferson Seril Utanes, aka ‘Jeff’, the beloved Filipino voice actor best known as the voice of ‘Son Goku’ in Dragon Ball, has passed away at 46, leaving the entertainment and anime communities in deep mourning. Famously dubbed ‘Goku ng Pinas’, Utanes has been a defining voice in the industry, ruling the voice-acting world for more than two decades, shaping the formative years of countless fans through dozens of iconic shows.
Utanes took his last breath on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, as confirmed by his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Feliciano-Teodoro. While there are not many details available about the exact cause of his death, the voice actor-director had a history of health complications. With growing curiosity among fans about his sudden demise, here’s everything we know about Jeff’s life beyond voice acting.
Catherine Feliciano-Utanes was Jeff’s wife and partner throughout much of his long career in Philippine dubbing. While she largely stayed out of the spotlight, she was known to be a steady presence in his life over the years, supporting him from behind the scenes as he voiced some of the most recognisable characters in Filipino-dubbed anime and cartoons.
Both Jeff and Catherine led rather low-key lives despite their immense fame in the Philippines. There are little to no details available about the exact date of their marriage. The couple shared two children, Jhulianne and Justin. In the wake of Jeff’s passing, Catherine’s grief became public as family members asked for prayers and support for her and the children. In the obituary, Catherine wrote:
“Join us as we honor Jeff’s beautiful life and enduring legacy. Our hearts overflow with gratitude for the love and joy he so generously shared. Though we miss him beyond words, his memory continues to shine as a guiding light within us forever.”
Jeff Utanes’ health struggles were no news for his close friends and fans. He had long been battling serious health complications. In the months leading up to his death, he openly shared that he had been diagnosed with stage 5 chronic kidney disease and had been undergoing dialysis for more than a year.
In July 2025, Jeff Utanes’ sister-in-law, Elizabeth Feliciano-Teodoro, launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover mounting medical expenses as his health continued to decline. According to the fundraiser, doctors discovered a severe heart blockage that required an urgent coronary artery bypass surgery, a procedure described as both lifesaving and costly. The campaign mentioned:
“Today, Jeff is facing a serious health crisis. After nearly a year on dialysis due to Chronic Kidney Disease, doctors have now found severe heart blockages. He urgently needs coronary artery bypass surgery, a lifesaving but costly procedure.”
The campaign detailed the grave confition of Utanes’ health, noting that he had already been battling chronic kidney disease while undergoing regular dialysis. Despite efforts to secure treatment, his worsening heart and kidney complications ultimately took a toll, and these ongoing medical issues are believed to have ultimately contributed to his passing. His family has yet to confirm the exact cause of his death.
Jeff Utanes’ career-defining role was as the second Filipino voice of Son Goku in the Dragon Ball franchise, a role he made iconic from 2000 until his death. Generations of Filipino children grew up listening to his voice as they watched anime in Tagalog.
Though he was best known for Dragon Ball, Utanes voiced an astonishing range of characters across anime, Western animation, and films. His most creditworthy characters to date include ‘Doraemon’, ‘Usopp’ (One Piece), ‘James’ and ‘Professor Oak’ (Pokemon), ‘Kogoro Mori’ (Detective Conan), ‘Hisoka’ (Hunter × Hunter), ‘Roy Mustang’ (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood), ‘Mickey Mouse’, ‘Mr. Krabs’ (SpongeBob SquarePants), and many more. He also worked as a dubbing director for ABS-CBN and served as a voice-over announcer on the popular talk show, It’s Showtime.
Ever since news of his passing surfaced on social media, fans and industry peers have been flooding their feeds with heartfelt tributes to Jeff Utanes, thanking him for making their childhood unforgettable. Anime platforms and dubbing studios have described the late star as a mentor and a pillar of the Filipino voice acting scene.
Jeff Utanes may be gone, but his iconic voice and timeless legacy will live on in his countless characters, episodes, movies, and memories. He will forever be cherished by his family, friends, and a nation full of admirers. Rest in peace, Goku ng Pinas!
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