Blab Entertainment
Voice Actor Mike McFarland Dies at 56 After Battle With Brain Cancer
Mike McFarland, the English voice of Master Roshi and Yajirobe in Funimation’s Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z dubs and Buggy the Clown in One Piece, died on September 9, 2026, at a care facility in Dallas, Texas. He was 56.
McFarland’s death was confirmed by TMZ and reported by Deadline and other outlets. The actor had been publicly battling a brain tumor since early 2025. He underwent emergency surgery in January 2025 to remove a tumor and a second operation in April 2025 to address a suspected infection. In August 2025, a diagnosis of glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer, was announced. The disease led to a series of treatments and a decline in his health.
During his illness, fellow voice actors J. Michael Tatum and Brandon McInnis launched a GoFundMe campaign in January 2025 to help McFarland hire a live‑in medical assistant after his first surgery. The campaign surpassed its initial $65,000 goal and later raised $301,786 toward a $350,000 target before pausing donations. In August 2025 the campaign was updated to cover ongoing treatment costs.
Crunchyroll, the streaming service that distributed many of McFarland’s projects, released a statement: “Mike brought so much to all of us who knew him, and to all of the anime fans who knew his work. He was an incredible talent, a good friend to so many of us, and will be sorely, sorely missed.” The statement was sent via email to the company’s press contacts.
McFarland’s career spanned more than two decades. He began as a voice actor in the early 2000s and later worked as a line producer, ADR director, and ADR script adapter for titles produced by ADV and Funimation. His voice credits include Master Roshi and Yajirobe in Dragon Ball, Makoto Hyuga in the Evangelion film series, Sky Master in Heaven’s Lost Property, Goemon Ishikawa in Lupin III: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine, Jean in Attack on Titan, George in Case Closed, and Buggy in One Piece. Recent roles were Hiroshi Odokawa in Odd Taxi, Big Bad Wolf in Date A Live IV, and E.G. Mine in Trigun Stampede.
The actor’s work behind the scenes was also significant. He directed ADR for series such as Dragon Ball, Fullmetal Alchemist, Case Closed, Attack on Titan, and the Rebuild of Evangelion films. He adapted scripts for several Funimation releases, contributing to the localization of popular anime for English‑speaking audiences.
McFarland’s death follows a pattern of high‑profile voice actors who have faced serious health challenges. The industry has responded with tributes on social media and statements from colleagues. Colleen Clinkenbeard, a fellow voice actress, noted that McFarland first discovered the tumor during a visit for an inner‑ear infection.
The actor’s passing has prompted reflections on the demands of the voice‑acting profession, the importance of health support for performers, and the role of fan‑led fundraising initiatives. While the GoFundMe campaign has paused, the total raised remains a testament to the community’s willingness to assist.
McFarland’s legacy is preserved in the numerous characters he voiced and the projects he helped bring to English‑speaking audiences. His contributions to the anime industry will be remembered by fans and colleagues alike.
The industry will continue to monitor the impact of his loss on ongoing and upcoming projects. No immediate changes to production schedules have been announced.
The actor’s obituary will appear in several entertainment publications, and a memorial service is planned by his family and close friends.
McFarland’s death was confirmed by TMZ and reported by Deadline and other outlets. The actor had been publicly battling a brain tumor since early 2025. He underwent emergency surgery in January 2025 to remove a tumor and a second operation in April 2025 to address a suspected infection. In August 2025, a diagnosis of glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer, was announced. The disease led to a series of treatments and a decline in his health.
During his illness, fellow voice actors J. Michael Tatum and Brandon McInnis launched a GoFundMe campaign in January 2025 to help McFarland hire a live‑in medical assistant after his first surgery. The campaign surpassed its initial $65,000 goal and later raised $301,786 toward a $350,000 target before pausing donations. In August 2025 the campaign was updated to cover ongoing treatment costs.
Crunchyroll, the streaming service that distributed many of McFarland’s projects, released a statement: “Mike brought so much to all of us who knew him, and to all of the anime fans who knew his work. He was an incredible talent, a good friend to so many of us, and will be sorely, sorely missed.” The statement was sent via email to the company’s press contacts.
McFarland’s career spanned more than two decades. He began as a voice actor in the early 2000s and later worked as a line producer, ADR director, and ADR script adapter for titles produced by ADV and Funimation. His voice credits include Master Roshi and Yajirobe in Dragon Ball, Makoto Hyuga in the Evangelion film series, Sky Master in Heaven’s Lost Property, Goemon Ishikawa in Lupin III: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine, Jean in Attack on Titan, George in Case Closed, and Buggy in One Piece. Recent roles were Hiroshi Odokawa in Odd Taxi, Big Bad Wolf in Date A Live IV, and E.G. Mine in Trigun Stampede.
The actor’s work behind the scenes was also significant. He directed ADR for series such as Dragon Ball, Fullmetal Alchemist, Case Closed, Attack on Titan, and the Rebuild of Evangelion films. He adapted scripts for several Funimation releases, contributing to the localization of popular anime for English‑speaking audiences.
McFarland’s death follows a pattern of high‑profile voice actors who have faced serious health challenges. The industry has responded with tributes on social media and statements from colleagues. Colleen Clinkenbeard, a fellow voice actress, noted that McFarland first discovered the tumor during a visit for an inner‑ear infection.
The actor’s passing has prompted reflections on the demands of the voice‑acting profession, the importance of health support for performers, and the role of fan‑led fundraising initiatives. While the GoFundMe campaign has paused, the total raised remains a testament to the community’s willingness to assist.
McFarland’s legacy is preserved in the numerous characters he voiced and the projects he helped bring to English‑speaking audiences. His contributions to the anime industry will be remembered by fans and colleagues alike.
The industry will continue to monitor the impact of his loss on ongoing and upcoming projects. No immediate changes to production schedules have been announced.
The actor’s obituary will appear in several entertainment publications, and a memorial service is planned by his family and close friends.
