Danica Davidson
October 20, 2021 
There is sad news that voice actor Chris Ayres lost his battle to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He had been diagnosed with end-stage COPD four years ago, and in 2017 Anime Twin Cities set up a fundraiser to help him pay for his medical bills. He was 56-years-old when he passed away on October 18.
In October 2019 he got a necessary lung transplant, but his health required two transplants, as well as surgeries. After this the Oni-Con convention got involved by doing their own fundraiser for his medical expenses.
Anime fans may know him best from his dubbing work, but he was a versatile actor beyond that. He began acting as a professional when he was only six-years-old. Later he starred on Broadway and off-Broadway productions.
He was the older brother of Greg Ayres, and it was through Greg he got into the world of anime. Chris’ voice acting for villain Frieza in the Dragon Ball Z franchise brought him wide praise, and he began doing that voice in 2009, taking over Linda Young’s role.
Besides Frieza, he played Sid in Devil May Cry, Kei Kurono in Gantz, Dave McCartney in Golgo 13, Johnny in One Piece, Corset in Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt, Arthur in Tears to Tiara, and Isaak Fernando von Kämpfer in Trinity Blood, to name a few.
He also frequently worked as an ADR director and script writer. He directed the English dubs of Another; Diabolik Lovers More, Blood; Little Busters; Maria Holic; Nobunaga The Fool; Say “I love you.” and more.
His passing is being honored online, both in news articles and by friends and acquaintances speaking out. Toei Animation gave this message:
May you rest in peace Chris Ayres, a magnificent voice actor who brought many wonderful characters to life including our Frieza.
You will always be remembered. Thank you for everything. pic.twitter.com/tLrYaudsxK— Toei Animation (@ToeiAnimation) October 20, 2021
And his fellow Dragon Ball Z actor Christopher Sabat wrote this:
https://twitter.com/JustChrisSabat/status/1450671341510795264
Ayres’s work has touched many lives during the half century he was working as a professional actor.
Source: ANN
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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, and its sequel, Manga Art for Intermediates, with professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
