Overview
- McFarland died on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at a Dallas care facility and was reported to have been surrounded by friends and family.
- He built a near-30-year career as a leading English-language anime performer and director, best known for Master Roshi in Dragon Ball and Buggy the Clown in One Piece while also directing and adapting dubs for series such as Attack on Titan and Fullmetal Alchemist.
- His health problems began in early 2025 when doctors found a brain tumor that led to emergency surgery in January and a confirmed glioblastoma diagnosis in August 2025, after which colleagues helped fund medical and caregiving needs.
- Fellow voice actors organized a GoFundMe to pay for a live-in medical assistant and care, and today peers and the industry, including Crunchyroll, issued statements praising his talent and mentorship.
- McFarland’s voice and behind-the-scenes work shaped how English-speaking audiences experienced major anime and his death is likely to prompt fans to revisit his roles and renew discussion about long-term support for performers with serious illness.