Prolific voice actor Mike McFarland has died at the age of 56. Reports emerged on September 10 that McFarland, who is best known for his work in the likes of “Dragon Ball,” “One Piece,” and “Attack on Titan,” had passed away. Fellow voice actors who had worked with him posted tributes online.
The news comes after it was revealed that McFarland had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer known as glioblastoma. He had previously undergone emergency surgery to remove a brain tumor last year.
An experienced voice actor who has reached millions of fans with his English dubs, McFarland was also influential behind the scenes. He has worked extensively as a writer, producer, and ADR director. In that capacity, he has helped bring to life English-language versions of some of the most successful anime series of recent years.
Mike McFarland Passed Away After Brain Cancer Diagnosis
According to TMZ, reports of McFarland’s death first came from fellow voice actress Brina Palencia. She has since posted a video on Instagram with the caption “For Mike.” The outlet revealed that he was surrounded by friends and family as he died, which took place at a Dallas health facility.
McFarland was arguably best known as the longtime English voice of Master Roshi in the “Dragon Ball” franchise. He reprised the role across various media, including video games, and also voiced others characters like Yajirobe
His other major roles included Buggy the Clown in “One Piece,” Jean Kirstein in “Attack on Titan,” Jean Havoc in “Fullmetal Alchemist,” Gordon Agrippa in “Black Clover” and Mashirao Ojiro and Ectoplasm in “My Hero Academia.”
McFarland accumulated hundreds of acting credits during his career, becoming one of the most recognizable voices in English-dubbed anime.
Friends & Colleagues Pay Tribute
His health problems first surfaced in January 2025, when it was announced that he has brain cancer. He had originally gone to hospital for an apparent ear infection before the tumor was discovered.
Friends and colleagues rallied around McFarland following the diagnosis. Voice actors J. Michael Tatum and Brandon McInnis launched a crowdfunding campaign following the news. This was to help fund medical treatment and to hire live-in medical assistance so he could remain living at home. It quickly surpassed its initial $65,000 goal.
J Michael Tatum posted a lengthy tribute to McFarland, noting that they had been friends and worked together for more than 20 years. He wrote, “Rest in peace, Salt. A rarer, more beautiful soul the world will never know. So many of us owe you the best of ourselves – because you had a hand in cultivating it. The love you created will endure, but damned it if I know how we’ll get on without you here to share it back with.”
