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Voice actor Mike McFarland passes away at 56 from brain cancer

Anime dubbing veteran Mike McFarland has died following a battle with glioblastoma, Variety reports.

The short version

  • Voice actor Mike McFarland died on Wednesday at age 56 following a battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer.[Variety]
  • McFarland began working in anime dubbing in 1997 as an early voice actor hired by Funimation Entertainment.[Variety]
  • His health struggles began in January 2025, leading to multiple surgeries and a peer-led crowdfunding effort for home care.[Variety]

Key facts

  • Mike McFarland died on Wednesday at the age of 56 after battling brain cancer.[Variety]
  • McFarland's career began in 1997 as one of Funimation Entertainment's earliest voice actors hired in Texas.[Variety]
  • His health complications started in January 2025, prompting his withdrawal from Central Florida Comic Con.[Variety]
  • McFarland underwent multiple surgical procedures for a tumor diagnosed as glioblastoma.[Variety]
  • Colleagues Brandon McInnis and J. Michael Tatum set up a GoFundMe campaign to fund a live-in medical assistant.[Variety]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.