Veteran voice actor, director and producer Mike McFarland, whose work included some of the biggest anime franchises of the past three decades, has died. He was 56.
McFarland died Wednesday, September 9, at a care facility in Dallas following a battle with brain cancer. He was surrounded by friends and family at the time of his death.
For generations of anime fans, McFarland was perhaps best known as the English voice of Master Roshi and Yajirobe in the Dragon Ball franchise. He also voiced Buggy the Clown in One Piece, Jean Kirstein in Attack on Titan, Jean Havocin Fullmetal Alchemist, Mashirao Ojiro in My Hero Academia and Koutarou Amon in Tokyo Ghoul.
His impact on anime extended well beyond his performances. McFarland worked extensively as an ADR director, scriptwriter and producer, helping bring numerous Japanese productions to English-speaking audiences throughout his career.
Master Roshi
McFarland’s health struggles became public in January 2025 after he underwent emergency surgery to remove a brain tumor. The tumor was later identified as glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Friends and fans rallied around McFarland during his treatment, with a GoFundMe campaign raising more than $300,000 to help with his care.
Following news of his death, Crunchyroll paid tribute to McFarland and his impact on the anime community.
“Mike brought so much to all of us who knew him, and to all of the anime fans that knew his work. He was an incredible talent, a good friend to so many of us, and will be sorely, sorely missed.”
McFarland leaves behind an enormous body of work spanning television, movies and video games, with his performances becoming an enduring part of some of anime’s most recognizable franchises.
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