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,” to name just a few of his hundreds of credits.
In addition to the live-action series “Reno 911!,” which moved from Comedy Central to Quibi for Season 7, 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 next year’s “SpongeBob SquarePants” prequel, “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 voiceover/acting 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.
I think it’s relative from week-to-week. There at times when I feel, “Do I really want to do on-camera 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. So, yeah, I would like to be on-camera little bit more.You’re known mostly for your voiceovers. Would you like to do more on-camera work?
Is there any chance for a revival of “Rocko’s Modern Life”?
Outside of “Status Cling,” the 2019 “Rocko” special which came out on Netflix, I’m not sure. There’s always been a demand [for a reboot] and we would love to do it again. People also revere “Camp Lazlo” and even “CatDog.” You never know what’s going to hit or be iconoclastic.
Do you do voices for your daughters (ages 9 and 6)?
My older daughter is also in voiceovers for Nickelodeon. She’s got the bug. My younger daughter loves me to read “Dogman” and “Captain Underpants.” I read those over and over again and do all the voices for her. You either have the voiceover gene or you don’t. I watched a lot of cartoons on TV growing up and got the vibe. I just wanted to imitate everybody. My brother is pretty good but he didn’t get the bug.
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 showing the poster 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.” We now try honor more Latino roles with Latino actors. Right now I’m on a Filipino show, “Trese” … and I’m working with Filipino dialect coaches to make sure I’m doing it correctly.
