Dragon Ball Frieza Actor Chris Ayres Passes Away
He was 56.
Veteran voice actor Chris Ayres, who is best known for portraying the iconic villain Frieza in the English dub of Dragon Ball Z Kai, has passed away at the age of 56.
The tragic news was confirmed by fellow actor and partner Krystal LaPorte, who said Ayres breathed his last on October 18 in the company of friends and family members.
pic.twitter.com/SvhMEeMWVk — Krystal LaPorte (@WowSuchKrystal) October 19, 2021
"Chris loved you all. How much he loved other people filled the vast majority of our conversations. To those of you who truly loved him back, thank you. To those of you who stayed in touch, checked on him, reminded him that he was so, so much more than his job, you were the fuel of his fight. You fed the dreams of a future that kept him going longer than any normal person could go," LaPorte wrote.
Ayres, who has been struggling with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) since 2017, told fans earlier this year that he would be undergoing another round of surgeries.
Well tracheostomy didn't happen today. My blood sodium was too low. I'm disappointed but doing well and so thankful for all of the support. They'll reschedule it when my bloodwork levels out, hopefully soon. pic.twitter.com/OyXrimdYTL — Christopher Ayres (@Chrisayresva) July 29, 2021
Ayres has regularly posted updates on his Twitter about his health, including his treatments and visits to the hospital.
The voice actor was tapped to play the role of Frieza in Funimation's English-language dub of Dragon Ball Z Kai. His other voice acting works include anime like Maburaho, Black Butler, Sengoku Basara, Gantz, Tears to Tiara, Fairy Tail, and Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt, among others.
More to come.
