Mike McFarland, the veteran voice actor known for bringing characters in some of the world‘s most popular anime series to English-speaking audiences, has died at age 56, according to multiple media reports.
McFarland died Wednesday after a battle with brain cancer, his friend and fellow voice actor Brina Palencia told TMZ. He was surrounded by family and friends at a care facility in Dallas, according to the outlet.
McFarland had a career spanning decades, with credits in major anime franchises including “One Piece,” “Dragon Ball Z,” “Fullmetal Alchemist,” “Attack on Titan,” “One-Punch Man” and “Tokyo Ghoul.”
He began his career in the late 1990s, voicing several characters in “Dragon Ball Z,” most notably Master Roshi. He later voiced Jean Havoc in “Fullmetal Alchemist” before taking on the role of Buggy the Clown in the English dub of “One Piece.”
McFarland voiced Buggy across “One Piece” television and movie projects from 2007 until his death.
His health struggles became public after he withdrew from Central Florida Comic Con in January 2025 because of an illness. Fellow voice actor Colleen Clinkenbeard later revealed that McFarland had a brain tumor, and he underwent surgery days later.
The tumor was later identified as glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, TMZ reported.
Palencia said members of the voice-over community had spent time with McFarland in recent months, singing songs and sharing stories with him.
She said McFarland would have wanted those wishing to honor his memory to donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the SPCA.
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