HE'S 'TOONED IN
‘Reno 911!’ goofball the voice behind classic cartoon faves
FANS of “Reno 911!” might not know that Deputy Garcia — aka Carlos Alazraqui — is also one of the industry’s busiest voiceover actors. Alazraqui’s long resume dates back to the early ’90s and includes Rocko in“Rocko’s Modern Life” (opposite Tom Kenny, the voice of “SpongeBob SquarePants”), “CatDog,” Lazlo the spider monkey in “Camp Lazlo! ,”“Family
Guy” (as Mr. Weed), “The Fairly Oddparents” and Disney Junior’s “Elena of Avalor,” ending its run Aug. 23.
In addition to the live-action series “Reno 911!,” now on Quibi, Alazraqui is currently starring on Nickelodeon’s “The Loud House” and its spinoff, “The Casagrandes” (he plays Carlos, Vito and Sergio on both shows), has a major role in the“SpongeBob SquarePants” prequel movie, “Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years” and is shopping his self-financed movie, “Witness Infection,” a horror-comedy starring Erinn Hayes (”Medical Police”).
Alazraqui, 58, whose parents were born in
Argentina, spoke to The Post about his long career — including voicing the Taco Bell Chihuahua from 1997-2000.
What are you working on right now? I’m doing “Kamp Koral,” “The Casagrandes” — I just did four episodes last week and one this week — and “The Loud House,” and “Maya and the Three,” which will be on Netflix next year. I’m doing a few more episodes of “American Dad” and “Family Guy,” mostly utility roles, and I’m working on “Curious George” for PBS. I play Mr. Zoobel.
I’m excited about a new Nickelodeon project but I can’t talk about it — though I can intimate that I’m working with a fellow “Reno 911!” castmate.
Would you like to do more oncamera work?
I think it’s relative from week-to-week. There at times when I feel, “Do I really want to do oncamera chases and be a super-celebrity and get recognized everywhere?” But it’s pretty cool when you do a red-carpet [premiere]. We did the “Reno 911!” premiere on Hollywood Boulevard walking down the red carpet at Mann’s
Chinese Theater and it was pretty awesome. You love that attention. The biggest reason to do on-camera work, though, is . . . you’re more apt to get some better jobs. It’s just a fact.
In looking back, how do you feel about playing the Taco Bell Chihuahua?
I don’t have regrets. I remember doing an ABC special . . . and being at my old campus, Sacramento State — this is right after Columbine [in 2000] — and student board members holding up a sign with the Chihuahua and Xs in it saying, “Kill the Chihuahua!” Other Latinos were going, “Forget about those people, we love the Chihuahua!” The League of United Latino Citizens was calling my house. As I look back, this wasn’t [adopts a heavy Mexican accent] “The Frito Bandito and I’m stealing your chips!” This was a dog that was really cool, with a voice that was not stereotypical . . . and it was not the biggest part of [the ad] campaign ending. [Taco Bell] had a lawsuit with a Michigan ad agency, which they lost. I never felt that it was offensive. As Tom Kenny said, “Nobody ever said that Count Chocula is offensive to all Romanians.” Right now I’m on a Filipino show, “Trese ”...andI’m working with Filipino dialect coaches to make sure I’m doing it correctly.