The Latin American dubbing community is mourning the death of Gloria Rocha, a prominent voice actress and director known for her work on several iconic animated series. Rocha, often referred to as “La Madrina de Dragon Ball,” played a significant role in selecting the Spanish-language voices for the Japanese anime that influenced many generations.
Rocha lent her voice to well-known characters such as Miss Piggy from The Muppet Show, Velma in Scooby-Doo, Olive Oyl in Popeye, Tweety Bird from Looney Tunes, and Aunt May in Spider-Man (1981). Her contributions extended beyond acting; she was also recognized for her leadership as a dubbing director.
News of Rocha’s passing was confirmed by several figures in the Mexican dubbing industry through social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Actor Eduardo Garza and Carlos Olízar were among those who paid tribute. Olízar wrote: “Se nos fue la querida Gloria Rocha, La Madrina, quien armó el cast que amamos en Dragon Ball. Gracias a ella entré al mundo del doblaje y fue la primera que me dio la oportunidad de actuar profesionalmente en esta especialidad. No importa lo que suceda, sonreiré el día de hoy,” which translates to: “Our dear Gloria Rocha, La Madrina, who assembled the cast we love in Dragon Ball, has left us. Thanks to her I entered the world of dubbing and she was the first to give me an opportunity to act professionally in this field. No matter what happens, I will smile today.”
Born on January 14, 1932, Rocha died on her 94th birthday on January 14, 2026. She began her career at Rivatón de América in the late 1950s before joining Cinsa until its closure in 1983. Her most lasting impact came as a dubbing director at studios including Telespeciales S.A., Producciones Salgado, Intertrack, and Auditel.
Rocha directed beloved productions such as Sailor Moon, Sakura Card Captor, and Slam Dunk. She is remembered for shaping voices and performances that resonated with audiences across generations.
Her legacy continues through the characters she voiced and the many actors she mentored throughout her long career.
