A Career Defined by Voice
Francisco Reséndez Novoa, the celebrated Mexican voice actor and director known to colleagues and fans as “Don Paco,” has died at the age of 85. His passing on September 2, 2026, was confirmed by industry sources, including Cartoons On The Moon, which announced the news on social media, sparking a wave of tributes from across the Latin American entertainment industry.
With a career spanning over six decades, Reséndez became a foundational figure in the development of Spanish-language dubbing. While his name may not have been a household feature on screen, his voice was a constant companion for generations of viewers. He navigated a diverse professional path that bridged the gap between classic Western animation, Japanese anime, and prime-time television.
This report draws on information published by m.economictimes.com and timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
The Iconic Voice of Scooby-Doo
Reséndez is perhaps most widely recognized for his work as the Latin American Spanish voice of the mystery-solving Great Dane, Scooby-Doo. His involvement in the franchise during the 1980s solidified his place in pop-culture history. He provided the voice for the character across several productions, including The Scooby-Doo Show, The Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo Show, and animated features such as Scooby-Doo Meets the Boo Brothers, Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School, and Scooby-Doo and the Reluctant Werewolf.
For Spanish-speaking audiences, his performance provided a unique identity to a character that had already achieved global recognition. Beyond the mystery-solving dog, his vocal range allowed him to tackle a vast array of roles in Japanese anime, including Dot Pixis in Attack on Titan, Makarov Dreyar in Fairy Tail, and appearances in Dragon Ball Z and Ranma. He also served as the narrator for the early seasons of Pokémon.
Legacy as a Director and Mentor
Reséndez’s influence extended beyond the microphone. As a dubbing director associated with the Mexican studio Audiomaster 3000, he played a critical role in shaping the quality and accessibility of international content for Spanish-speaking markets. His directorial work on the early seasons of The Simpsons remains a frequently cited achievement, with various reports crediting him with overseeing the production of the show’s first seven or eight seasons.
Beyond his creative contributions, he was a dedicated mentor, helping to train and develop a new generation of voice actors in Mexico. His career reflected the evolution of the dubbing industry itself—from its early stages of adaptation to its current role as a vital component of global media distribution. No cause of death has been disclosed by his family, and industry insiders continue to honor his extensive contributions to film, television, documentaries, and video games.