Mike McFarland, the prolific voice actor and ADR director whose unmistakable performances helped define the English-language anime experience for generations of fans, has died at 56.
McFarland passed away following a battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. News of his death was shared by longtime friend and fellow Dragon Ball voice actor Tiffany Vollmer.
His cancer journey began in January 2025, when he underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor. Months later, in August 2025, the tumor was diagnosed as glioblastoma.
Over a career spanning nearly three decades, McFarland became one of the most recognizable voices in English-dubbed anime. His credits reached across some of the medium’s biggest and most beloved franchises, portraying characters who became fan favorites.
Among his best-known roles were Master Roshi and Yajirobe in Dragon Ball, Buggy the Clown and Helmeppo in One Piece, Jean Kirstein in Attack on Titan, Jean Havoc in Fullmetal Alchemist, Ritsu Soma in Fruits Basket, and Kotaro Amon in Tokyo Ghoul.
McFarland’s influence extended well beyond the recording booth. Based in Texas, he played a significant role during the rise of Funimation and later Crunchyroll, working in various behind-the-scenes capacities such as ADR director, scriptwriter, and line producer.
His production credits included major anime titles such as Attack on Titan, Fullmetal Alchemist, and Dragon Ball Z, helping to shape the English adaptations that introduced countless viewers to these series.
For fans, McFarland’s legacy is found not only in the characters he voiced but also in the extensive body of work he helped bring to English-speaking audiences. His career bridged the worlds of performance and production, marking him as an influential figure during anime’s transition from a niche interest to a mainstream entertainment phenomenon.
At 56, McFarland leaves behind a remarkable body of work that will continue to resonate with generations of anime fans—and a collection of performances that made his voice an enduring part of the medium’s English-dub history.
