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Voice Actor Mike McFarland Dies at 56 After Brain Tumor Battle
Confirmed
In Short: Voice actor Mike McFarland, known for his roles in Dragon Ball Z and One Piece, passed away on Wednesday from glioblastoma, surrounded by friends and family.
Mike McFarland, the beloved voice of characters like Master Roshi in Dragon Ball Z and Buggy in One Piece, has died at the age of 56 after a long battle with glioblastoma. His illness became public in January 2025, when he withdrew from Central Florida Comic Con after doctors discovered a brain tumor.
McFarland underwent brain surgery in January 2025 to remove the tumor, but a second surgery was needed in April to address an unknown infection. His GoFundMe campaign, launched to help him hire a live-in medical assistant, has raised over $300,000.
McFarland also worked as a line producer, ADR director, and ADR script adapter for many ADV and Funimation series. His death was confirmed by his friend and fellow voice actor Brina Palencia to TMZ, who said he passed away surrounded by friends and family at a care facility in Dallas.
What's confirmed
- Mike McFarland, the beloved voice of characters like Master Roshi in Dragon Ball Z and Buggy in One Piece, has died at the age of 56 after a long battle with glioblastoma. His illness became public in January 2025, when he withdrew from Central Florida Comic Con after doctors discovered a brain tumor.
- McFarland underwent brain surgery in January 2025 to remove the tumor, but a second surgery was needed in April to address an unknown infection. His GoFundMe campaign, launched to help him hire a live-in medical assistant, has raised over $300,000.
- McFarland also worked as a line producer, ADR director, and ADR script adapter for many ADV and Funimation series. His death was confirmed by his friend and fellow voice actor Brina Palencia to TMZ, who said he passed away surrounded by friends and family at a care facility in Dallas.
What's still developing
- Voice actress Colleen Clinkenbeard said that McFarland found out about the tumor when he visited the doctor for what he thought was an inner ear infection, later discovering that it was a brain tumor.
- As of writing, McFarland's GoFundMe has reached US$301,786 of its US$350,000 goal, but donations have been currently paused.
- His voice acting credits include Master Roshi and Yajirobe in Dragon Ball and its sequels, Makoto Hyuga in the Evangelion film series, Sky Master in Heaven's Lost Property, Goemon Ishikawa in Lupin III: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine and many Lupin III films, Jean in Attack on Titan, George in Case Closed, and Buggy in One Piece.
- After attempting assisted living, McFarland was again in the hospital and was moved to a skilled nursing facility to continue treatment.
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