Mike McFarland, ‘One Piece’ and ‘Dragon Ball Z’ Voice Actor, Dies at 56

Legendary voice actor Mike McFarland has died at the age of 56, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in the world of anime. McFarland was best recognized for his roles as Master Roshi in Dragon Ball, Jean Kirstein in Attack on Titan, Buggy the Clown in One Piece, and Jean Havoc in Fullmetal Alchemist. He began his career in the late 90s with the Dragon Ball series and went on to voice numerous prominent characters in various shows, including YuYu Hakusho and Fruits Basket.

In August 2025, McFarland was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, a highly aggressive form of brain cancer. Thanks to his fellow voice actors, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to assist with his medical expenses, with J Michael Tatum and other industry veterans sharing updates on social media.

Among the many tributes to McFarland were heartfelt messages from J Michael Tatum, Alejandro Saab, and Crunchyroll. Tatum, a close friend and mentor to McFarland for over twenty years, described him as a rare, beautiful soul who will be deeply missed. Saab, known for voicing Deadpool in Marvel Rivals, praised McFarland's kindness, sense of humor, and culinary recommendations. Crunchyroll also released a statement, expressing their shared loss and admiration for McFarland's talent and friendship.

Fans also shared personal memories of working with McFarland, highlighting his dedication, generosity, and passion for the craft. In response to his passing, one fan shared a video of McFarland's casting announcement at Ouran High School Host Club, dressed as his character Ranka. The community continues to mourn the loss of this beloved voice actor, remembering his remarkable contributions to the English voice acting industry.