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On the evening on September 9, 2026, it was revealed by his colleagues that Mike McFarland had passed away after a nearly two-year battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. He was 56 years old.
A highly regarded Voice Actor and ADR Director particularly in the anime industry, Mike was a regular contributor to Funimation/Crunchyroll since 1997, serving as the ADR Director for titles including Dragon Ball, Fullmetal Alchemist, One Piece, Attack on Titan, Rebuild of Evangelion, and Summer Wars.
He has also lent his voice to many characters, including being the English voice of Master Roshi & Yajirobe in the Dragon Ball franchise, Buggy the Clown in One Piece, Gordon in Black Clover, Jean Havoc in Fullmetal Alchemist, Jean Kirstein in Attack on Titan, Kotaro Amon in Tokyo Ghoul, Ojiro & Ectoplasm in My Hero Academia, and more.
Mike’s work is and has regularly been featured on Toonami, and he had often posted his enthusiasm for the block on Twitter on Saturday nights.
Mike McFarland on X (formerly Twitter): “Thanks for the years of love and suppport, #Toonami! Hope we meet again someday in the New World! #OnePiece pic.twitter.com/DFMlEwCybl / X”
Thanks for the years of love and suppport, #Toonami! Hope we meet again someday in the New World! #OnePiece pic.twitter.com/DFMlEwCybl
Mike McFarland on X (formerly Twitter): “#AttackonTitanFinalSeason continues next on #Toonami! Get ready! pic.twitter.com/RG7MM4GdJo / X”
AttackonTitanFinalSeason continues next on #Toonami! Get ready! pic.twitter.com/RG7MM4GdJo
Mike McFarland on X (formerly Twitter): “#AttackOnTitan #AttackonTitanFinalSeasonpart2 https://t.co/yY3uw2tpRX pic.twitter.com/zogvGOUiB1 / X”
AttackOnTitan #AttackonTitanFinalSeasonpart2 https://t.co/yY3uw2tpRX pic.twitter.com/zogvGOUiB1
Mike’s diagnosis was spotted as early as January 2025, when Mike was forced to cancel a convention appearance at Central Florida Comic Con due to an illness. Colleen Clinkenbeard revealed in a tweet that McFarland was admitted to a hospital dealing with symptoms of an ear infection. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a massive brain tumor, and underwent emergency surgery.
Mike later revealed through his colleagues on August 2025 that the tumor would been diagnosed as a glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Despite months of treatment, it progressed faster than previously expected. Due to the high costs of treatment and care, Mike’s friends and colleagues set up a gofundme page for donations. According to Brandon McInnis, Mike had to be moved into a skilled nursing facility as his conditions worsened, the costs to use such services “is the price of a decent used car… every month” and insurance only covers a certain amount of time.
According to Brina Palencia through TMZ, Mike was surrounded by friends and family at a Dallas care facility at the time of his passing. She also mentioned that over the last few months, friends from the voiceover community gathered to sing him songs and tell him stories to keep his spirits up.
Mike’s friends, family, colleagues, and employers have taken to social media to remember him. Below are just a small sample of tributes and statements regarding McFarland’s passing:
J Michael Tatum on X (formerly Twitter): “Mike McFarland, my dear friend and mentor of over twenty years, is gone. A rarer, more beautiful soul this world will never know. Rest in peace, Salt. The love you created endures, but damned if I know how we’ll get on without you around to share it back with. 💔 pic.twitter.com/aUr99fsqjX / X”
Mike McFarland, my dear friend and mentor of over twenty years, is gone. A rarer, more beautiful soul this world will never know. Rest in peace, Salt. The love you created endures, but damned if I know how we’ll get on without you around to share it back with.
Bryce Papenbrook on X (formerly Twitter): “I am so grateful for the time I spent with Mike and our friendship over the years. For all the good meals, laughs, and memories. I’ll miss you. pic.twitter.com/odtSLH6hQ5 / X”
I am so grateful for the time I spent with Mike and our friendship over the years. For all the good meals, laughs, and memories. I’ll miss you. pic.twitter.com/odtSLH6hQ5
Clifford Chapin on X (formerly Twitter): “There are so many things I want to say, but I feel like all the words are out of reach. Mike was a great guy, funny, immensely talented. He always tried to improve himself both as an artist and a person. He challenged me greatly as a new actor. I’m so glad we took this picture. pic.twitter.com/3ko9Rb2sif / X”
There are so many things I want to say, but I feel like all the words are out of reach. Mike was a great guy, funny, immensely talented. He always tried to improve himself both as an artist and a person. He challenged me greatly as a new actor.
Laura Bailey on X (formerly Twitter): “What do you say when nothing feels like enough. Mike McFuckinFarland. You were a light. You made everything feel brighter. Love you friend. Miss you forever. / X”
What do you say when nothing feels like enough. Mike McFuckinFarland. You were a light. You made everything feel brighter. Love you friend. Miss you forever.
Travis Willingham on X (formerly Twitter): “I learned so much from Mike McFarland. I begged him for line-reads, and was the thankful recipient of his talent for many, many years. He was patient, generous, and had a tremendous sense of humor. I’ll miss our sushi and improv comedy nights on Greenville. Rest easy, pal. ❤️ / X”
I learned so much from Mike McFarland. I begged him for line-reads, and was the thankful recipient of his talent for many, many years. He was patient, generous, and had a tremendous sense of humor. I’ll miss our sushi and improv comedy nights on Greenville. Rest easy, pal. ❤️
Derick Snow on X (formerly Twitter): “Mike McFarland was brilliant. I was lucky enough to share joy, music and even some of his famous walks. He truly cared about his craft but was always inclusive. As a talented director, he gave so many opportunities, including my first ever role in anime.I’m forever grateful ❤️ https://t.co/KQTkJE2GZb pic.twitter.com/oSnZL1DnDJ / X”
Mike McFarland was brilliant. I was lucky enough to share joy, music and even some of his famous walks. He truly cared about his craft but was always inclusive. As a talented director, he gave so many opportunities, including my first ever role in anime.I’m forever grateful ❤️ https://t.co/KQTkJE2GZb pic.twitter.com/oSnZL1DnDJ
Marisa Duran on X (formerly Twitter): “You are loved. And you are so very missed. Flights of angels~ 💔🕯️ pic.twitter.com/eY8zujPexY / X”
You are loved. And you are so very missed. Flights of angels~ 💔🕯️ pic.twitter.com/eY8zujPexY
Brianna Roberts on X (formerly Twitter): “Rest in peace @MikeMcFarlandVA. You will be so missed. pic.twitter.com/v5BNIr0bGJ / X”
Rest in peace @MikeMcFarlandVA. You will be so missed. pic.twitter.com/v5BNIr0bGJ
We here at Toonami Squad send our condolences to Mike’s friends, family, and fans. Mike, may your soul rest in peace, and thank you for everything.
