Credit: Marvel Studios/Sony PicturesThe Marvel Cinematic Universe has touched audiences around the globe in countless languages, with voice actors playing a crucial role in bringing these beloved characters to life for international audiences.
For millions of Spanish-speaking fans throughout Latin America, the voice of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man wasn’t just a translation of the English dialogue but a performance that defined their emotional connection to Peter Parker’s journey from awkward teenager to confident hero.
That voice belonged to Alexis Ortega, a talented Mexican actor and voice artist whose work with Marvel, Disney, and other major studios made him one of the most recognizable voices in Latin American entertainment. News of Ortega’s sudden passing at age 38 sent shockwaves through the dubbing community and devastated fans who grew up hearing his warm, youthful voice in everything from Captain America: Civil War to Big Hero 6.
According to multiple reports, Ortega died on January 24, 2026, with the news breaking publicly on January 26th. His family has not disclosed the cause of death, and the entertainment community has largely respected their privacy during this difficult time while mourning the loss of an artist whose performances shaped how an entire generation experienced some of cinema’s most iconic characters.
At just 38 years old, Ortega’s career was both remarkably prolific and deeply influential, leaving behind a legacy that extends far beyond simple voice work into the realm of cultural impact and emotional resonance.
Alexis Ortega has sadly passed away at the age of 38.
The voice of Tadashi Hamada in Big Hero 6 and Spider-Man (Tom Holland) from Captain America: Civil War to Avengers: Infinity War in Latin America. pic.twitter.com/rlFyhVYNcj
— Cartoon Base (@TheCartoonBase) January 27, 2026
A Career Defined by Iconic Roles
Alexis Ortega, born August 31, 1987, in Mexico, began his professional voice acting career in 2013 with what would become one of his signature roles: Tadashi Hamada in Disney’s Big Hero 6. This debut performance immediately showcased Ortega’s ability to convey warmth, intelligence, and emotional depth, making Tadashi’s brief but impactful presence in the film resonate powerfully with Spanish-speaking audiences.
The character’s relationship with his younger brother Hiro became one of the film’s emotional anchors, and Ortega’s performance helped ensure that Latin American viewers connected with that bond just as deeply as English-speaking audiences did.
But it was his work as the Spanish-language voice of Peter Parker and Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that would define Ortega’s career and cement his place in entertainment history. Beginning with Captain America: Civil War, where Tom Holland’s Spider-Man made his MCU debut, Ortega became the voice that millions of Latin American fans would forever associate with the web-slinging hero.
He continued voicing the character through Spider-Man: Homecoming and Avengers: Infinity War, bringing the same blend of humor, vulnerability, and heroism that made Holland’s portrayal so beloved.
For Spanish-speaking Marvel fans, Ortega’s voice wasn’t just a dubbed version of the character. It was the voice they heard when they thought about Spider-Man, the voice that delivered the emotional beats of Peter’s journey, the voice that made them laugh during his awkward teenage moments and cry during his most vulnerable scenes.
Voice actors in dubbing communities often face the challenge of matching not just the words but the emotional intent and personality of the original performance, and Ortega excelled at this demanding work.
Beyond Marvel and Disney
While Spider-Man and Tadashi Hamada represent Ortega’s most high-profile roles, his body of work extended across multiple studios and genres. He contributed to other beloved Disney and Pixar projects including Finding Dory and Cars 3, showcasing his versatility in bringing different types of characters to life.
Each role demonstrated his ability to adapt his vocal performance to match the unique energy and emotional requirements of distinct characters, from the energetic youth of animated heroes to more nuanced supporting roles.
Ortega’s talents weren’t limited to voice work. He made notable appearances in live-action television, most prominently in Luis Miguel: The Series, where he portrayed a young Jorge “El Burro” Van Rankin.
This role demonstrated his range as a performer and introduced him to audiences beyond the dubbing community. His work in Mexican television productions proved that he was more than just a voice actor but a well-rounded performer capable of succeeding across different mediums.
In recent years, Ortega embraced new platforms and opportunities, including involvement with the Spanish-language version of MrBeast’s popular YouTube channel.
This work reflected his willingness to adapt to changing media landscapes and reach younger audiences through digital platforms that are reshaping how entertainment is consumed. Despite his growing recognition, Ortega maintained a relatively low profile on social media, focusing on his craft rather than cultivating celebrity status.
The Art and Impact of Voice Acting
Ortega’s career highlights the often-underappreciated artistry required for high-quality dubbing work. Voice actors face unique challenges compared to their on-screen counterparts.
They must match their vocal performance not just to the script but to the mouth movements, emotional beats, and personality already established by the original actor. They need to convey the same range of emotions through voice alone while often working in isolation from their fellow cast members.
In regions with strong dubbing traditions like Latin America, voice actors play a crucial role in making global cinema accessible and emotionally resonant for local audiences. Ortega stood out in this field for his ability to create performances that felt authentic rather than simply translated.
His Spider-Man didn’t sound like a Spanish version of Tom Holland’s Peter Parker. It sounded like Peter Parker speaking Spanish, a subtle but significant distinction that speaks to Ortega’s skill.
Industry professionals have emphasized how voice actors like Ortega helped define how international audiences experienced and connected with major characters. For a generation of Spanish-speaking Marvel fans, Ortega’s voice is inseparable from Spider-Man’s identity in the MCU. His performances helped these global stories feel personal and culturally relevant to Latin American viewers.
Community Response and Legacy
The announcement of Ortega’s death prompted an immediate outpouring of grief and tributes from fans, colleagues, and industry organizations. The ALDA Awards, which recognizes excellence in anime dubbing, released a statement expressing condolences to Ortega’s family, friends, and colleagues while noting that “He will always be remembered for his remarkable performances.”
Social media platforms filled with clips of his work, personal memories from fans, and tributes from fellow voice actors and entertainment professionals.
The response illustrates the profound connection audiences form with voice actors, even when they never see their faces on screen. For many fans, hearing Ortega’s voice in these characters created emotional associations that ran deep. His performances were woven into their memories of first watching these films, their experiences sharing these stories with friends and family, and their personal connections to characters who inspired them.
At 38, Ortega was in the prime of his career with potentially decades of work ahead of him. His sudden passing represents not just the loss of an accomplished artist but also the loss of all the future performances and characters he would have brought to life. The entertainment community mourns both who he was and who he might have become.
Remembering the Artist
As of this writing, Ortega’s family has not released details about the cause of his death, and the entertainment community has largely chosen to respect their privacy during this difficult time. The focus has remained on celebrating Ortega’s life, career, and the joy his performances brought to millions of viewers.
Ortega’s legacy lives on in the characters he voiced and the performances he created. Every time someone watches Spider-Man: Homecoming in Spanish, every time a child discovers Big Hero 6 and connects with Tadashi’s relationship with Hiro, Ortega’s artistry continues touching new audiences.
His work helped shape the Spanish-language experience of some of the most popular films of the past decade, ensuring that Latin American audiences could connect with these stories in ways that felt authentic and emotionally genuine.
The impact of a voice actor’s work is sometimes difficult to quantify because it operates on such an intimate level. When you hear a character speak in your native language, that voice becomes part of how you understand and remember that character. For millions of Spanish-speaking fans, Alexis Ortega’s voice is forever linked to Spider-Man’s heroism, Tadashi Hamada’s warmth, and the countless other characters he brought to life throughout his career.
A Lasting Influence
Though his time was tragically short, Alexis Ortega’s contributions to Latin American entertainment and the global dubbing community will endure. His performances set a standard for excellence in voice acting, demonstrating the artistry required to make dubbed performances feel as emotionally authentic as the originals.
Future voice actors will continue to be influenced by his work, and the characters he voiced will continue introducing new generations to his talent.
The entertainment world has lost a gifted artist whose work bridged cultures and brought joy to countless viewers. His legacy reminds us of the vital role voice actors play in making global cinema truly accessible and emotionally resonant for audiences worldwide.
If you grew up hearing Alexis Ortega’s voice as Spider-Man or discovered his work through any of his many roles, share your favorite memory of a character he brought to life in the comments. His artistry touched millions, and remembering the joy his performances brought helps honor his legacy during this difficult time.