José María del Río is a Spanish actor primarily known for his extensive career in dubbing and voice-over, with a particular emphasis on documentary narration. He was born on November 25, 1942, in Madrid, Spain. His professional journey began in radio during the 1960s, where he initially aspired to be a musical editor before transitioning to voice acting. He became a member of the acting company at Radio Nacional de España, a role he held for many years, performing in radio theatre and literary adaptations. In 1971, he received the Premio Ondas award for Best Radio Actor in recognition of his work in radio serials and programs.

While Del Río's work in anime is limited, he is confirmed to have provided the Spanish dub voice for the character Rock in the 1980 animated film Phoenix 2772 - Space Firebird. This role represents a specific credit within his broader dubbing career.

The majority of Del Río's prolific career, which encompasses over 700 dubbing and voice-over works, lies in other areas. He is widely recognized as the Spanish voice of Carl Sagan in the landmark documentary series Cosmos: A Personal Voyage, a role he has described as profoundly moving. He has also lent his voice to numerous nature documentaries, frequently dubbing the work of Sir David Attenborough for Spanish audiences. In addition to documentaries, Del Río has dubbed prominent Hollywood actors, including Kevin Spacey in the film American Beauty, as well as Billy Bob Thornton, Richard Dreyfuss, and Dustin Hoffman. He is also the narrator for the popular children's animated series Pocoyó and has been a long-time narrator for the Spanish television program Cuarto Milenio.