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Legendary Voice Actor Mike McFarland Dies at 56 After Battling Brain Cancer
Confirmed
In Short: Mike McFarland, a pivotal figure in English-language anime dubbing, passed away at 56 after a long battle with glioblastoma.
Mike McFarland, a legendary voice actor who shaped how American audiences experienced beloved anime series, died on September 10 at the age of 56 after a battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
McFarland began his career in the anime industry in the late 1990s, working with Funimation and later Crunchyroll, and became one of the most recognizable voices in the field. His work extended beyond voice acting to include script writing, directing, and line producing, contributing to the success of numerous English-dubbed anime series.
For many, McFarland's voice is permanently tied to childhood memories of discovering iconic shows like 'Dragon Ball Z' and 'One Piece.' He voiced Master Roshi and Yajirobe throughout the Dragon Ball franchise, Buggy the Clown in 'One Piece,' and Jean Kirstein in 'Attack on Titan,' roles that made him a household name among anime fans.
McFarland's contributions to the industry were significant, helping to shape the cultural impact of anime in America. His voice was inseparable from some of the medium's most iconic characters, and his work spans some of the most influential English-dubbed anime series ever produced.
News of McFarland's passing had been circulating through the industry, with colleagues sharing their love and support for him. A GoFundMe campaign was opened to aid in his recovery, but it was paused after his passing. McFarland was surrounded by friends and family at a Dallas health facility, and colleagues from the industry had been sharing their support to keep his spirits up over the last few months.
McFarland's legacy extends beyond his voice acting. He played a key role in bringing Western animated series to Japanese audiences and was involved in stage productions and dubbing video games. His work with Dragon Ball GT allowed him to fully dive into his villain era with Baby, a role that remains a standout even though it was not fully incorporated into the overall canon.
The loss of Mike McFarland is a significant one for the anime community, and his contributions to the industry will be remembered for generations to come. His voice will remain permanently tied to some of the most beloved characters in anime history, and his work continues to shape how American audiences experience the medium.
What's confirmed
- Mike McFarland, a legendary voice actor who shaped how American audiences experienced beloved anime series, died on September 10 at the age of 56 after a battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
- McFarland began his career in the anime industry in the late 1990s, working with Funimation and later Crunchyroll, and became one of the most recognizable voices in the field. His work extended beyond voice acting to include script writing, directing, and line producing, contributing to the success of numerous English-dubbed anime series.
- For many, McFarland's voice is permanently tied to childhood memories of discovering iconic shows like 'Dragon Ball Z' and 'One Piece.' He voiced Master Roshi and Yajirobe throughout the Dragon Ball franchise, Buggy the Clown in 'One Piece,' and Jean Kirstein in 'Attack on Titan,' roles that made him a household name among anime fans.
- McFarland's contributions to the industry were significant, helping to shape the cultural impact of anime in America. His voice was inseparable from some of the medium's most iconic characters, and his work spans some of the most influential English-dubbed anime series ever produced.
- News of McFarland's passing had been circulating through the industry, with colleagues sharing their love and support for him. A GoFundMe campaign was opened to aid in his recovery, but it was paused after his passing. McFarland was surrounded by friends and family at a Dallas health facility, and colleagues from the industry had been sharing their support to keep his spirits up over the last few months.
- McFarland's legacy extends beyond his voice acting. He played a key role in bringing Western animated series to Japanese audiences and was involved in stage productions and dubbing video games. His work with Dragon Ball GT allowed him to fully dive into his villain era with Baby, a role that remains a standout even though it was not fully incorporated into the overall canon.
- The loss of Mike McFarland is a significant one for the anime community, and his contributions to the industry will be remembered for generations to come. His voice will remain permanently tied to some of the most beloved characters in anime history, and his work continues to shape how American audiences experience the medium.
What's still developing
- Beyond voice acting, he worked extensively as a script writer, director, and line producer, helping bring countless English dubs to life behind the scenes as well as in front of the microphone.
- McFarland played such a key role that it’s hard to image the dubs of these shows without his voice helping them along.
- The agency stated that a few days ago Itō suddenly started feeling unwell, and was transported to the hospital, where he had symptoms of a brain hemorrhage, and underwent emergency surgery that same day.