Eric Legrand, legendary French voice of Vegeta in Dragon Ball Z, dies at 66
In France, Legrand was best known as the voice of Dragon Ball Z’s Vegeta, his booming bass tones blasting into the homes of millions of French-speaking fans. His influence is felt far beyond anime, animation, or even television, truly making him a global treasure revered by the international anime community .
French voice actor Eric Legrand helped popularize Dragon Ball in europeThough Japan and English language dubs may be the first places that come to mind when you think of anime, for countries like France, it’s a return to form that’s been decades in the making. During this time, France was one of the first Western countries to warm to Japanese animation in the 1980s and 1990s, airing hugely popular series such as Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z and Saint Seiya on public television.
As an accomplished Scarlet Knight himself, Eric Legrand’s voice was the sonorous sound of home for generations of fans. His performance as Vegeta was nothing short of legendary—defining the prideful, rageful, and secretly vulnerable Saiyan prince to perfection. In addition, he played Yamcha, Mr. Popo, the World Tournament Announcer, and Bojack in Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound.
Patrick Borg (French Goku) shares emotional tribute to legrandThe sorrowful news was initially announced by Patrick Borg, who had been working with Legrand for more than 40 years. In a heart-wrenching facebook post, Borg shared his last conversations with Legrand, who had been transferred to a palliative care unit only days before his death.
Farewell to my friend, ERIC LEGRAND. You were calling me. “My fat turkey,” I liked it, it made me laugh. I used to call you my queen! It had you rattling like a fat turkey. For months, we have been writing to each other on WhatsApp until last Monday, May 19th, in the morning, you will be transferred to a palliative care service…
You’ve stopped answering me. 45+ years of friendship and 40 years together; Dragon Ball Z. Your fans will miss you… But I’ll miss you deeply!
I’m tired of losing friends. You have shown exemplary courage. You are a true Saiyan Vegeta! ERIC LEGRAND, you were a real Saiyan! On Sunday evening, you wrote to me the following word in parentheses:
(Getting transferred to the Palliative Care Unit on Monday. (I hope it will be very soon next..)
I will not forget you!
I am unhappy, very unhappy …
Farewell, my friend.
Dubbed a “legend” by fans, colleagues and members of the French and international anime community, Rees’ message of love generated an outpouring of that very affection in response.
Eric Legrand’s anime legacy is more than Dragon BallWhile the role he’s best known for was as Trunks of the popular anime series, Dragon Ball Z, Legrand’s voice acting career spanned a number of other anime and animated series. A few of his signature roles are:
Eric Legrand’s passing is not just a big loss for French anime fans, but for the international anime dubbing community. His voice is what made the French-speaking audience fall in love with one of the planet’s largest franchises—Dragon Ball Z—and his efforts are directly responsible for why anime took over so massively in Europe.
Legrand’s portrait serves as a powerful reminder of the significance of international dubbing actors, who are truly unsung heroes that remain uncredited for their work outside of their native countries. They are tremendously important to anime’s accessibility, discoverability, and cultural impact globally.
Fans around the world pay tribute to Vegeta’s French voiceFans all over Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube are posting footage of Eric Legrand’s most iconic wrestling roles, most notably his passionate performances as Vegeta. Dozens shared stories about how his voice shaped their childhoods and introductions to anime.
“Even if I come back to the English dub eventually, Legrand’s Vegeta is the one I’ll always think of,” one fan wrote on social media after hearing the news.
I think specifically with Kai, his voice just sent goosebumps through me during the Majin Vegeta arc.
Professional anime & studios from Japan anime creators & studios in Japan, dubbing pros all over Europe and Latin America all have expressed condolences.
Eric Legrand: A voice that will echo forever in anime historyAs long as streaming services, DVDs and reruns play their part in preserving Eric Legrand’s performances, his legacy will live on. His expression will continue to be in the powerful legacy of Dragon Ball, resounding in the hearts of fans who grew up with Goku, Vegeta, and the rest of the Z Fighters in French.
In an age where the phenomenon of anime has united millions of fans across the planet, Eric Legrand was by all rights a global legend in his own right. His incredible passion, creativity, and legendary talent transcended any single artwork. He was one of the forces that helped anime take over the world.
Rest in peace, Eric LegrandYou were a true Saiyan until the very end.
French voice actor Eric Legrand helped popularize Dragon Ball in europeThough Japan and English language dubs may be the first places that come to mind when you think of anime, for countries like France, it’s a return to form that’s been decades in the making. During this time, France was one of the first Western countries to warm to Japanese animation in the 1980s and 1990s, airing hugely popular series such as Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z and Saint Seiya on public television.
As an accomplished Scarlet Knight himself, Eric Legrand’s voice was the sonorous sound of home for generations of fans. His performance as Vegeta was nothing short of legendary—defining the prideful, rageful, and secretly vulnerable Saiyan prince to perfection. In addition, he played Yamcha, Mr. Popo, the World Tournament Announcer, and Bojack in Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound.
Patrick Borg (French Goku) shares emotional tribute to legrandThe sorrowful news was initially announced by Patrick Borg, who had been working with Legrand for more than 40 years. In a heart-wrenching facebook post, Borg shared his last conversations with Legrand, who had been transferred to a palliative care unit only days before his death.
Farewell to my friend, ERIC LEGRAND. You were calling me. “My fat turkey,” I liked it, it made me laugh. I used to call you my queen! It had you rattling like a fat turkey. For months, we have been writing to each other on WhatsApp until last Monday, May 19th, in the morning, you will be transferred to a palliative care service…
You’ve stopped answering me. 45+ years of friendship and 40 years together; Dragon Ball Z. Your fans will miss you… But I’ll miss you deeply!
I’m tired of losing friends. You have shown exemplary courage. You are a true Saiyan Vegeta! ERIC LEGRAND, you were a real Saiyan! On Sunday evening, you wrote to me the following word in parentheses:
(Getting transferred to the Palliative Care Unit on Monday. (I hope it will be very soon next..)
I will not forget you!
I am unhappy, very unhappy …
Farewell, my friend.
Dubbed a “legend” by fans, colleagues and members of the French and international anime community, Rees’ message of love generated an outpouring of that very affection in response.
Eric Legrand’s anime legacy is more than Dragon BallWhile the role he’s best known for was as Trunks of the popular anime series, Dragon Ball Z, Legrand’s voice acting career spanned a number of other anime and animated series. A few of his signature roles are:
- Seiya from Saint Seiya, a perennial classic in French anime culture
- Sterling Archer in the French dub of Archer #[…]
- Characters in Captain Planet, an educational animated show intended to teach children about the environment and sustainability
- The dream shapes themselves by playing on all of the great things that made Batman: The Animated Series and X-Men so emotionally resonant.
- Thousands of narrations and commercial voiceovers on French television 6033 are generated by this technology.
Eric Legrand’s passing is not just a big loss for French anime fans, but for the international anime dubbing community. His voice is what made the French-speaking audience fall in love with one of the planet’s largest franchises—Dragon Ball Z—and his efforts are directly responsible for why anime took over so massively in Europe.
Legrand’s portrait serves as a powerful reminder of the significance of international dubbing actors, who are truly unsung heroes that remain uncredited for their work outside of their native countries. They are tremendously important to anime’s accessibility, discoverability, and cultural impact globally.
Fans around the world pay tribute to Vegeta’s French voiceFans all over Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube are posting footage of Eric Legrand’s most iconic wrestling roles, most notably his passionate performances as Vegeta. Dozens shared stories about how his voice shaped their childhoods and introductions to anime.
“Even if I come back to the English dub eventually, Legrand’s Vegeta is the one I’ll always think of,” one fan wrote on social media after hearing the news.
I think specifically with Kai, his voice just sent goosebumps through me during the Majin Vegeta arc.
Professional anime & studios from Japan anime creators & studios in Japan, dubbing pros all over Europe and Latin America all have expressed condolences.
Eric Legrand: A voice that will echo forever in anime historyAs long as streaming services, DVDs and reruns play their part in preserving Eric Legrand’s performances, his legacy will live on. His expression will continue to be in the powerful legacy of Dragon Ball, resounding in the hearts of fans who grew up with Goku, Vegeta, and the rest of the Z Fighters in French.
In an age where the phenomenon of anime has united millions of fans across the planet, Eric Legrand was by all rights a global legend in his own right. His incredible passion, creativity, and legendary talent transcended any single artwork. He was one of the forces that helped anime take over the world.
Rest in peace, Eric LegrandYou were a true Saiyan until the very end.
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