Joana Brito
Description
Joana Brito was a Mexican actress whose career spanned more than five decades, earning recognition for her extensive work in film, television, and particularly in voice dubbing for the Latin American market. Her work as a voice actress made her a familiar presence in numerous animated series and films, where her distinctive vocal quality brought a wide range of characters to life.
Brito began her professional acting career in the theater in the 1960s before transitioning to television and voiceover work in the 1980s. She became one of Mexico's most requested dubbing artists, known for her versatility in both animated productions and live-action dubbing for international films. In television, she was a familiar face on Televisa, appearing in many telenovelas over several decades. On screen, her credits included roles in productions such as Juana Iris, Cuna de lobos, Corazón salvaje, Cómplices al rescate, Teresa, and Amorcito corazón. She made her film debut in the 1990s and appeared in movies such as El anzuelo, Santo Luzbel, Cicatrices, From Prada to Nada, and the Mexican animated film El gran milagro.
In the world of anime, Joana Brito left a significant mark with her work on several popular series. She was the voice of Koharu Utatane, an elder advisor in the Hidden Leaf Village, in both Naruto and Naruto Shippūden. In the Dragon Ball Z franchise, she voiced the character of Kaio-Sama of the East. She also performed the voice of Zofis, a demon antagonist, in the series Zatch Bell. Her anime work demonstrated her ability to portray both authoritative elder figures and villainous characters with equal skill.
Beyond her anime roles, her voice acting portfolio includes an extensive list of high-profile animated productions. For Disney, she provided the Spanish-language voices for several notable characters. She played the villain Morgana in The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, Zira in The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, and Mama Odie in The Princess and the Frog. She was also the voice of Miss Muriel P. Finster on the animated television series Recess and its subsequent films. In the world of Studio Ghibli, she took on the dual role of the twin sisters Yubaba and Zeniba, the powerful witches who run the bathhouse and her sister's cottage, in the Oscar-winning film Spirited Away (known as El Viaje de Chihiro in Spanish).
Her live-action dubbing work was equally notable. Joana Brito was frequently chosen to provide the Spanish voice for acclaimed actresses such as Judi Dench, whom she voiced in films including The Last of the Blonde Bombshells and The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. She also dubbed Margo Martindale in films like Win Win and The Boss. Her extensive dubbing career included contributions to major films such as Charlotte's Web, Hairspray, Hugo, and Deadpool. She was known for her contralto vocal range, and her voice was often compared to Argentine actress Ruby Gattari and Cuban actress Carmen Donna-Dío, which frequently led to her being cast in similar dubbing roles. After a long and prolific career, she retired from dubbing work in 2016 due to health reasons. Joana Brito passed away on June 27, 2023.
Brito began her professional acting career in the theater in the 1960s before transitioning to television and voiceover work in the 1980s. She became one of Mexico's most requested dubbing artists, known for her versatility in both animated productions and live-action dubbing for international films. In television, she was a familiar face on Televisa, appearing in many telenovelas over several decades. On screen, her credits included roles in productions such as Juana Iris, Cuna de lobos, Corazón salvaje, Cómplices al rescate, Teresa, and Amorcito corazón. She made her film debut in the 1990s and appeared in movies such as El anzuelo, Santo Luzbel, Cicatrices, From Prada to Nada, and the Mexican animated film El gran milagro.
In the world of anime, Joana Brito left a significant mark with her work on several popular series. She was the voice of Koharu Utatane, an elder advisor in the Hidden Leaf Village, in both Naruto and Naruto Shippūden. In the Dragon Ball Z franchise, she voiced the character of Kaio-Sama of the East. She also performed the voice of Zofis, a demon antagonist, in the series Zatch Bell. Her anime work demonstrated her ability to portray both authoritative elder figures and villainous characters with equal skill.
Beyond her anime roles, her voice acting portfolio includes an extensive list of high-profile animated productions. For Disney, she provided the Spanish-language voices for several notable characters. She played the villain Morgana in The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, Zira in The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, and Mama Odie in The Princess and the Frog. She was also the voice of Miss Muriel P. Finster on the animated television series Recess and its subsequent films. In the world of Studio Ghibli, she took on the dual role of the twin sisters Yubaba and Zeniba, the powerful witches who run the bathhouse and her sister's cottage, in the Oscar-winning film Spirited Away (known as El Viaje de Chihiro in Spanish).
Her live-action dubbing work was equally notable. Joana Brito was frequently chosen to provide the Spanish voice for acclaimed actresses such as Judi Dench, whom she voiced in films including The Last of the Blonde Bombshells and The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. She also dubbed Margo Martindale in films like Win Win and The Boss. Her extensive dubbing career included contributions to major films such as Charlotte's Web, Hairspray, Hugo, and Deadpool. She was known for her contralto vocal range, and her voice was often compared to Argentine actress Ruby Gattari and Cuban actress Carmen Donna-Dío, which frequently led to her being cast in similar dubbing roles. After a long and prolific career, she retired from dubbing work in 2016 due to health reasons. Joana Brito passed away on June 27, 2023.
All Characters
- SpanishAnime overview: Zatch Bell