Chris Ayres

Christopher Owen Ayres (May 16, 1965 – October 18, 2021) was an American actor, director and scriptwriter. He worked on voice acting and ADR directing on a number of English dubs of Japanese anime shows. In anime, he was best known as the voice of Kei Kurono from Gantz, Frieza from Dragon Ball Z Kai and Dragon Ball Super, Prince Soma from Black Butler, and Shingen Takeda from the Sengoku Basara series. He was also known for Mock Combat for Cosplay panels at anime conventions.

Early life and career Ayres was born in Richmond, Virginia on May 16, 1965. He had his first professional acting gig in a commercial for Lollipop Soft Drinks in Richmond, Virginia, when he was six years old. The Ayres family moved to the Alief, Houston, area of Houston, Texas, when he was 12, where Chris attended Alief Middle School, and then Alief Elsik High School. He graduated in 1983. After graduating high school Ayres attended Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, Texas, and studied theatre until 1985.

Personal life and death In November 2017, Ayres was diagnosed with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and required a double lung transplant to survive. A YouCaring fundraiser was created that sought $25,000 to assist with medical care and procedures.

Ayres died on October 18, 2021, at the age of 56 years, following years of complications from pulmonary disease. His death was announced on Twitter the following day by his partner and fellow voice actress, Krystal LaPorte.

Filmography Anime + List of voice performances in animation Year Title Role Notes 2003 Saint Seiya Ushio ADV dub 2004 Kino's Journey Bartender Bast of Syndrome Dr. Pluto Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu Atsunobu Hayashimizu Gantz Kei Kurono Godannar Tetsuya Kouji 2008–2009 Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch ADR director unreleased English Dub 2009 Fairy Tail Duke Everlue 2010 Sengoku Basara Shigen Takeda Black Butler Soma Asman Kadar Dragon Ball Z Kai Frieza 2011 Clannad After Story Sudou, Kinoshita, various characters Kokoro Connect Inari's brother 2017–2019 Dragon Ball Super Frieza

Films + List of voice performances in feature, direct-to-video and television films Year Series Role Notes 2018 Dragon Ball Super: Broly Frieza Final film role 2021 The Dog Park: Prank Calls Caller #1 Short; Final role

Video games + List of voice performances in video games

Peter Pan Slightly, John Darling (understudy) Broadway - Lunt-Fontanne Theatre

Peter Pan Slightly, John Darling (understudy) Broadway - Minskoff Theatre

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Director and Choreographer Country Playhouse, Houston, TX

The All Night Strut A review of 30's and 40's music Director Country Playhouse, Houston, TX

Gypsy Choreographer Country Playhouse, Houston, TX

And the World Goes 'Round Director Country Playhouse, Houston, TX

Hair Director and Choreographer Country Playhouse, Houston, TX

Man of La Mancha Director and Choreographer Country Playhouse, Houston, TX

Cabaret Director and Choreographer Country Playhouse, Houston, TX

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Director and Choreographer Country Playhouse, Houston, TX

Romeo and Juliet Fight Choreographer Country Playhouse, Houston, TX

The Pirates of Penzance Director and Choreographer Country Playhouse, Houston, TX

Noises Off Director Country Playhouse, Houston, TX

The Rocky Horror Show Director, Choreographer and Fight Choreographer Playhouse 90, Rosenberg, TX

You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown Director and Choreographer Playhouse 90, Rosenberg, TX