Honestly, if you grew up anywhere near a television in the last forty years, you’ve heard Barbara Goodson. You just might not have seen her face. She's the kind of performer who exists in the background of your childhood memories, shrieking about world domination or playing a wide-eyed hero in a forgotten anime dub. Most people know her as the woman who made a "space dumpster" sound like the most terrifying (and hilarious) place on the moon, but her career is way deeper than just one cackling sorceress.
We’re talking about a resume that spans from the gritty streets of Akira to the galactic politics of Star Wars. Barbara Goodson movies and tv shows aren't just a list; they’re a map of how voice acting evolved from the Wild West of early 80s dubbing to the polished industry we have today in 2026.
The Queen of Villains: Rita Repulsa and Beyond
You can't talk about Barbara without talking about Rita Repulsa. It’s the role that basically defined a decade. When Mighty Morphin Power Rangers exploded in 1993, Barbara was tasked with dubbing over the Japanese footage of actress Machiko Soga.
The story of how she got the part is actually kinda wild. She originally played Rita like a standard "Wicked Witch" type. The producers weren't feeling it. They actually fired her! They thought she wasn't scary enough. But Barbara, being a total pro, asked for one more shot. She was incensed, and she channeled that frustration into that iconic, ear-piercing, raspy screech. They hired her back on the spot.
She didn't just stop at Rita, though. In the Power Rangers universe alone, she voiced:
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- Prince Sprocket in Power Rangers Zeo
- Orbus (the little guy who made monsters grow)
- Mandilok in Power Rangers Wild Force
- The Mystic Mother (a reformed Rita) in Power Rangers Mystic Force
She even came back for the 30th-anniversary special, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always, proving that you can't keep a good empress down.
The Anime Pioneer
Before she was conquering Earth, she was basically the backbone of the early anime dubbing scene. If you're an old-school fan, you’ve heard her in the Streamline Pictures era. She was in the original dub of Akira (playing Takashi, the psychic "Esper" child) and Vampire Hunter D.
One of her most underrated lead roles? Goku. Yeah, that Goku. In the 1980s "Harmony Gold" dub of Dragon Ball, she was the voice of the young Saiyan. It didn't last long, but it’s a fascinating "what if" in anime history.
She’s also the voice of Naota Nandaba in the cult classic FLCL. That’s a tough role—a pre-teen boy dealing with surreal aliens and puberty—and she nailed the cynical, exhausted energy of that character perfectly. More recently, she's been killing it as Turbo Granny in the 2024/2025 hit Dandadan. It’s a full-circle moment: back to playing a foul-mouthed, supernatural old woman who steals the show.
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More Than Just Cartoons: Video Games and Live Action
Barbara's versatility is honestly exhausting to look at. She’s not just in the recording booth for cartoons. Her video game credits are a "who's who" of gaming history.
- World of Warcraft: She’s the voice of Lady Vashj and Alexstrasza.
- Disgaea: She voiced the lead, Laharl.
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars: She played Mother Talzin, the leader of the Nightsisters. She actually won a "Best Actress" award from Behind The Voice Actors for this one. It’s a chilling, regal performance that is a million miles away from the campy fun of Rita Repulsa.
Surprisingly, she’s also done a ton of live-action dubbing for international shows on Netflix. If you watched the English dub of Money Heist (La Casa de Papel), that was her as Marivi Fuentes. She's in Cable Girls, Luis Miguel: The Series, and even Undercover. She basically helps make global TV accessible to English speakers without them even realizing it.
Why She Still Matters in 2026
The industry has changed a lot. We see big Hollywood stars taking voice roles now, but legends like Barbara Goodson remind us that voice acting is a specific, specialized craft. It’s about more than just a "cool voice." It’s about diaphragmatic breathing—which she says is the only reason she didn't lose her voice permanently playing Rita—and the ability to match the lip flaps of a Japanese actress from thirty years ago.
She’s also been incredibly open about her "on-camera" dreams. Even with all the VO success, she’s still an actor who loves the stage and the screen. You can find her in smaller indie films like The Chosen or Killer Granny.
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A Quick Cheat Sheet of Must-Watch Roles
If you want to see the full range of what she can do, check these out:
- Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: For the campy, iconic villainy.
- FLCL: To hear her play a grounded, moody kid.
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars: For her "prestige" dramatic work as Mother Talzin.
- Dandadan: To see how she's still dominating the anime scene today.
Barbara Goodson is one of those rare performers who has touched almost every corner of geek culture. Whether she's a red fraggle, a digital dragon, or a space empress, she brings a level of energy that most actors half her age can't match.
The best way to appreciate her work is to actually go back and listen to the nuances. Notice how she shifts the grit in her throat for different villains, or how she softens her tone for characters like Chiyo in Naruto. If you're looking to dive into her filmography, start with the classics on Netflix or Crunchyroll, and pay attention to the credits—you'll be surprised how often her name pops up.
Next Steps:
If you're a fan of her work, the best way to support veteran voice actors is to check out their latest projects on official streaming platforms like Crunchyroll or Netflix. You can also follow her on social media or look for her at upcoming fan conventions like Rangerstop, where she frequently meets with the "Power Rangers" community.