Legendary voiceover actor Benoit Rousseau, celebrated for his extensive work on The Simpsons and the Austin Powers film franchise, has passed away at the age of 66. His death was confirmed through an obituary announcement in Montreal. While specific details regarding his passing have not been disclosed, it was previously reported that the actor had been battling cancer.
Rousseau was a cornerstone of the French Canadian dubbing industry, most notably providing the voices for iconic The Simpsons characters including Lenny, Duffman, Grandpa Simpson, and Mr. Burns. His dedication to the series spanned over three decades, cementing his legacy in the hearts of Quebec audiences.
Beyond the world of Springfield, Rousseau was widely recognized for dubbing the voice of Mike Myers in the French-language versions of the Austin Powers films. His versatility as a performer allowed him to bring life to a vast array of characters, including those portrayed by Nicolas Cage and Dwayne Johnson.
“We learned with sadness the death of actor, stuntman, set director, adaptor and musician Benoit Rousseau,” the Union des Artistes shared in a tribute. “Known by the general public for dubbing the voices of Nicolas Cage and Dwayne Johnson among others in cinema, and more especially in Quebec of the voices of Mr. Burns and Abraham Simpson in The Simpsons series, on which he worked for over 30 years.”
Rousseau’s voice was a staple in French Canadian cinema, appearing in beloved Disney hits such as Toy Story, Finding Nemo, and The Incredibles. His filmography also includes the Transformers franchise, Thor: Ragnarok, Ant-Man and the Wasp, and Bohemian Rhapsody. In addition to his prolific voice work, Rousseau was an accomplished actor in front of the camera, appearing in Canadian projects like Trois fois rien, Lâcher prise, and Avant le crash.
He is survived by his wife, Johanne Léveillé, and the Rousseau and Léveillé families.