Chris Ayres, who voiced the iconic Dragon Ball villain, Frieza, has sadly passed away, surrounded by loved ones.
Dragon Ball is a Japanese media franchise that spans video games, TV shows and movies. It was created in 1984 by Akira Toriyama and has been translated and dubbed into many languages. Frieza was a big bad, defeated by the main character Goku after he became a Super Saiyan.
Linda Young was the original English-language voice of Frieza. Ayres first voiced the character in the Dragon Ball series video game. He then portrayed Frieza in the 2015 movie Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’. Ayres went on to portray Frieza in the TV series Dragon Ball Super. He also voiced Frieza in Dragon Ball Super: Broly. Ayres’ career as voice actor, specialising in anime, spans decades. His last role was in the animated short The Dog Park: Prank Calls.
Back in 2017, Ayres was diagnosed with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (or COPD) and went on to have a double-lung transplant. This makes his voice acting in the last movie both more impressive and more poignant.
Tributes to Chris Ayres
The news of his passing was shared by his girlfriend, fellow voice actor Krystal LaPorte, on Twitter:
Her moving tribute to Ayres, begins: “On October 18th at 8:40pm my world went dark. Christopher Owen Ayers passed away peacefully, held by his mother, brother and girlfriend”
Fellow Broly voice actor, Vic Mignogna, was among the many people on Twitter who offered their condolences:
Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of friend, Chris Ayres. Went to visit him in the hospital when I was in Houston for Matsuri in July & was reminded of his amazing spirit & determination. Much love & prayers to his family & friends. We’ll see you again in glory, dear Chris❤️
— vic mignogna (@vicmignogna) October 20, 2021His memorable performances will stand as a memorial to his hard work and determination.
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Featured Image Credit: Toei Animation
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