Mike McFarland, ‘One Piece’ and ‘Dragon Ball Z’ Voice Actor, Dies at 56
Mike McFarland, the acclaimed American voice actor who brought some of anime’s most memorable characters to life in the English-language versions of Dragon Ball Z, One Piece and Attack on Titan, has died. He was 56.
McFarland died on Wednesday, September 9, following a battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. He was surrounded by family and friends at a care facility in Dallas, according to his friend and fellow voice actor Brina Palencia. (people.com)
A Familiar Voice to Generations of Anime Fans
McFarland was best known as the English voice of Master Roshi and Yajirobe in the Dragon Ball franchise. He also voiced the flamboyant and unpredictable Buggy the Clown in One Piece, performing the role from 2007 until his death.
His long list of other prominent characters included Jean Kirstein in Attack on Titan, Jean Havoc in Fullmetal Alchemist, Koutarou Amon in Tokyo Ghoul and Teppei Sugo in Psycho-Pass.
McFarland could also be heard in several other popular anime productions, including My Hero Academia, One-Punch Man, Demon Slayer, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Odd Taxi, Lupin III and Trigun Stampede.
His work was not limited to animated television and films. He provided voices for video games such as World of Warcraft and Fire Emblem Heroes, as well as titles from the Borderlands and Street Fighter franchises. (thewrap.com)
A Major Figure Behind the Microphone
Although millions of viewers recognized McFarland’s distinctive voice, his influence on the anime industry extended well beyond his acting performances.
He worked extensively as an ADR director, script adapter and line producer, helping create English-language versions of numerous Japanese productions. His directing credits included major titles such as Attack on Titan, Fullmetal Alchemist, Dragon Ball and the Rebuild of Evangelion films.
McFarland began working in anime dubbing in 1997, becoming one of the early Texas-based performers hired by Funimation. Over the following three decades, he emerged as a respected figure in the English-dubbing community and helped guide younger actors entering the industry.
Battle With Brain Cancer
McFarland’s health problems became public in January 2025 when he withdrew from a scheduled convention appearance. He had initially sought medical treatment for what he believed was an ear infection, but doctors discovered a large brain tumor.
He subsequently underwent emergency surgery, and the tumor was later identified as glioblastoma. His friends and colleagues organized a fundraising campaign to assist with his medical treatment and continuing care. The campaign received thousands of donations from fans and members of the voice-acting community.
During the final months of his life, friends from the voice-over industry visited him at the Dallas care facility, where they shared stories and sang songs to help lift his spirits.
Colleagues and Fans Pay Tribute
Following news of his death, tributes poured in from actors, collaborators and anime fans around the world.
Crunchyroll remembered McFarland as an extraordinary talent and a treasured friend whose work touched both his colleagues and countless anime viewers.
Actor J. Michael Tatum, who described McFarland as his friend and mentor of more than two decades, said the love McFarland created throughout his life would endure.
Other performers remembered him as clever, funny, generous and deeply committed to his craft. Many also praised the encouragement he offered younger actors and the care he brought to every recording session, regardless of the size of a role. (thewrap.com)
A Lasting Anime Legacy
Mike McFarland’s death marks a profound loss for the international anime community. Through characters such as Master Roshi, Yajirobe, Buggy the Clown and Jean Kirstein, his voice became part of the childhood and entertainment memories of millions of viewers.
His work as an actor, director and writer also helped shape English-language anime dubbing during a period of extraordinary global growth for the medium.
While McFarland is gone, the unforgettable performances he created across nearly three decades will continue to entertain audiences and introduce future generations to some of anime’s most beloved stories.
