Billy Kametz
Kametz in 2021
Born(1987-03-22)March 22, 1987
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S.[1]
DiedJune 9, 2022(2022-06-09) (aged 35)[1]
Hershey, Pennsylvania, U.S.
OccupationVoice actor
Years active2016–2022
AgentAVO Talent
Notable work

Billy P. Kametz (/ˌkəˈmɛts/;[2] March 22, 1987 – June 9, 2022) was an American voice and stage actor. He was best known for his work dubbing anime and video games.

Born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Kametz began his voice acting career in 2016 when he moved to Los Angeles and debuted as Aladdin in a Broadway-styled musical for the Disneyland Resort. He had been providing the English voices for Josuke Higashikata in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable, Takuto Maruki in Persona 5 Royal, Naofumi Iwatani in The Rising of the Shield Hero, and Ferdinand von Aegir in Fire Emblem: Three Houses. Kametz's work was praised by his peers and he had won the Best Voice Actor Award at the 4th Crunchyroll Anime Awards for his role as Naofumi.

He was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in February 2022, which he publicly announced ten weeks later on April 26, 2022, and died less than 2 months after announcing his diagnosis at the age of 35 on June 9, 2022.

Early life

Kametz was born on March 22, 1987, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania,[1] and was raised in Hershey, Pennsylvania.[3] He had a sister.[4] He attended West Chester University.[5]

Career

In 2016, Kametz moved to Sherman Oaks in Los Angeles to play Aladdin in the final performance of Disney's Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular.[6] While living in California, Kametz began working as a voice actor. He achieved one of his first major roles when he was cast as Josuke Higashikata in the Viz Media dub of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable.[7] He went on to voice other prominent roles, including Colt in Brawl Stars, Takuto Maruki in Persona 5 Royal, Galo Thymos in Promare, and Ren in Pokémon.[8][9]

In 2020, for his performance as Naofumi Iwatani in The Rising of the Shield Hero, Kametz won the Best VA Performance (EN) award at the 4th Crunchyroll Anime Awards.[10] Apart from animations, he also provided his voice for many characters in various related video games.[8][9]

Personal life

Kametz dated voice actress Erica Lindbeck up until his death in 2022.[1][3]

Illness and death

On April 26, 2022, Kametz revealed that he had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer ten weeks prior,[11] which had metastasized to his liver, lungs and spine,[8] and that he had begun chemotherapy and radiation therapy.[11] He also announced that he would be taking a hiatus from voice acting and moving back to Hershey, Pennsylvania.[11] A GoFundMe page was posted on May 1, 2022, to help cover travel, insurance costs, medical bills not covered by insurance, and everyday life necessities;[12] these online fundraising efforts yielded more than US$184,000.[3]

Five weeks after the fundraiser was launched, Kametz succumbed to the disease on June 9, 2022, in Hershey, Pennsylvania, aged 35 years old.[1][8][13]

Filmography

Animation

List of voice performances in animation
Year Title Role Notes Source
2020 The Owl House Nevareth Episode: "Witches Before Wizards"
2020–2023 Lego Monkie Kid Macaque Season 1–Season 4 episode 5, released posthumously; "New Adventures" dedicated in memory [14]
2023 RWBY Roman Torchwick 2 episodes; released posthumously; "Tea Amidst Terrible Trouble" dedicated in memory
Hailey's On It! Road Rash, Paul 2 episodes; released posthumously

Anime

List of voice performances in anime
Year Title Role Notes Source
2018 Sword Gai Seiya Ichijō [15]
Fate/Extra Last Encore Hakuno Kishinami [15]
2018–19 JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable Josuke Higashikata [16]
Beyblade Burst Turbo Fubuki Sumiye [15]
2018–22 Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Metal Lee, Hidari, Tanuki Shigaraki, Hyōi Yorishiro, Kokushi [17]
2018–20 Baki Kosho Shinogi, Gaia [15]
2018 Sirius the Jaeger Mikhail [15]
2019–20 KonoSuba Kyouya Mitsurugi [15]
2019 High School Prodigies Have It Easy Even In Another World Elch [18]
Hunter × Hunter: The Last Mission Jed [15]
Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World Wilhelm van Astrea (young) [15]
The Rising of the Shield Hero Naofumi Iwatani Season 1 only [19]
2019–21 Aggretsuko Anai [15]
Cells at Work White Blood Cell (Neutrophil) [20]
2019 Promare Galo Thymos [21]
Neon Genesis Evangelion Shigeru Aoba Netflix dub [22]
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth [22]
The End of Evangelion [22]
To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts Claude Withers [23]
Teasing Master Takagi-san Nishikata Season 2 [24]
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. Kineshi Hairo Reawakened [15]
2019–21 Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun Asmodeus Alice [25]
2020 Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Rui [12]
Science Fell in Love, So I Tried to Prove It Shinya Yukimura Season 1 only [26]
2020–21 Beastars Durham, Mayor [15]
2020 Gundam Build Divers Re:Rise Hiroto Kuga [15]
Tower of God Katan, Alexay Amigocharz [15]
2020–22 Pokémon Ren, Inteleon, Ash's Rotom Phone [15]
2021 Fire Force Amon Hajike [15]
Suppose a Kid from the Last Dungeon Boonies Moved to a Starter Town Allan Twein Lidcain [27]
Osomatsu-san Osomatsu [28]
2021–22 Attack on Titan Niccolo [15]
2021 The Way of the Househusband Kunimi [15]
2021–22 86 Shinei Nouzen Episodes 1–21 only [29]
2021 Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song Tatsuya Saeki [30]
Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness Patrick [15]
The Prince of Tennis II: Hyotei vs. Rikkai Game of Future Ryo Shishido [31]
Vinland Saga Ari Netflix dub [32]
Magatsu Wahrheit Zuerst Conrad Wisdom [33]
Ikebukuro West Gate Park Kyōichi Ozaki [34]
2021–22 Re-Main Takekazu Ejiri [35]
2021 Otherside Picnic Greg [36]
2022 Tokyo 24th Ward Shuta Aoi 6 episodes [37]
The Prince of Tennis Ryo Shishido [38]

Video games

List of voice performances in video games
Year Title Role Notes Source
2016 Marvel Avengers Academy Agent Coulson, Iron Lad, Collector, Thor Noir [39]
2018 BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle Naoto Kurogane [39]
Brawl Stars Colt [39]
2019 JumpStart Academy Max Martian [15]
AFK Arena Angelo [40][better source needed]
Fire Emblem: Three Houses Ferdinand von Aegir [15]
Pokémon Masters Blue [15][39]
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 Male Announcer [41]
2020 One-Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows Additional voices [42]
Fire Emblem Heroes Ferdinand von Aegir [43]
Persona 5 Royal Takuto Maruki [15]
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim Nenji Ogata [44]
2021 Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster Raidou Kuzunoha [15]
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles Rui [45]
Epic Seven Ran [46]
2022 Triangle Strategy Jerrom Laesmi [15]
Relayer Director of Defense Isaac, additional voices [47]
The Elder Scrolls Online Additional voices [48][better source needed]
AI: The Somnium Files – Nirvana Initiative Tearer Posthumous release [15]
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes Ferdinand von Aegir [15][49]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Billy Kametz Obituary". The Patriot-News. June 11, 2022. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  2. ^ Billy Kametz (Voice of Josuke Higashikata from Diamond is Unbreakable) Interview | Behind the Voice, retrieved May 30, 2023
  3. ^ a b c Hoopes, Zack (June 12, 2022). "Central Pa. native who has won accolades for voice acting dies at 35". The Patriot-News. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  4. ^ Ushe, Naledi (June 12, 2022). "'Pokémon' voice actor Billy Kametz dies from colon cancer at 35: 'Sincere, humble and loving'". USA Today. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  5. ^ "Theater department shines this spring". The Quad: Student News Service of WCU. January 26, 2009. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  6. ^ "Billy Kametz". Sakura-Con. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  7. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (July 6, 2018). "Viz Media Licenses JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable Manga & Live-Action Film, Golden Wind Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  8. ^ a b c d Dupre, Elyse (June 13, 2022). "Pokémon Voice Actor Billy Kametz Dead at 35 After Colon Cancer Battle". E! Online. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  9. ^ a b Doolan, Liam (June 12, 2022). "Fire Emblem And Pokémon Voice Actor Billy Kametz Has Passed Away". Nintendo Life. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  10. ^ Goslin, Austen (February 15, 2020). "Demon Slayer takes home top prize at Crunchyroll's Anime Awards". Polygon. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  11. ^ a b c Luster, Joseph (April 26, 2022). "Voice Actor Billy Kametz Reveals Stage IV Colon Cancer Diagnosis". Otaku USA. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  12. ^ a b Hazra, Adriana (April 30, 2022). "GoFundMe Campaign Launches for Voice Actor Billy Kametz Following Stage IV Colon Cancer Diagnosis". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  13. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (June 11, 2022). "Voice Actor Billy Kametz Passes Away at 35". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  14. ^ "Macaque". Lego Monkie Kid. Season 1. Episode 9. October 3, 2020. Event occurs at 11:10. Amazon Kids+.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z "Billy Kametz (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved May 16, 2021. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
  16. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (July 6, 2018). "Viz Media Licenses JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable Manga & Live-Action Film, Golden Wind Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  17. ^ Kametz, Billy [@BillyKametz] (October 14, 2018). "I am so excited to announce that I will be voicing Metal Lee in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations on Toonami! No more contracting words for me!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  18. ^ "High School Prodigies Have It Easy Even in Another World! (2019– ) Full Cast & Crew". imdb.
  19. ^ Ressler, Karen (December 20, 2018). "Funimation to Stream Rising of the Shield Hero Anime, Crunchyroll Announces Dub Cast". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  20. ^ Sherman, Jennifer (May 17, 2019). "Aniplex of America Reveals Cells at Work! Anime's English Dub Cast, BD Release (Update)". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  21. ^ Sherman, Jennifer (September 12, 2019). "Promare Anime Film's English-dubbed Clip Streamed". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  22. ^ a b c Frost, Caroline (June 12, 2022). "Billy Kametz Dies: Popular Video Game And Anime Voice Actor Was 35". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  23. ^ Mateo, Alex (September 12, 2019). "Crunchyroll to Stream Ahiru no Sora, Days of Urashimasakatasen Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  24. ^ "Teasing Master Takagi-san S2 English Netflix Credits". Imgur. December 6, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  25. ^ Kametz, Billy [@BillyKametz] (December 22, 2019). "Episode 1 of Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun is out of @Crunchyroll!! I absolutely adore this show! Directed by none other than JoBro @JalenKCassell who is amazing! I play Asmodeus Alice! I hope you enjoy!" (Tweet). Retrieved June 11, 2022 – via Twitter.
  26. ^ Luster, Joseph (May 9, 2021). "Meet the English Dub Cast of Science Fell in Love, So I Tried to Prove It". Crunchyroll. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  27. ^ Mateo, Alex (March 8, 2021). "Funimation Streams 'Suppose a Kid From the Last Dungeon Boonies Moved to a Starter Town,' Kaguya-sama: Love is War Season 1 Anime's English Dubs". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  28. ^ Ressler, Karen (September 22, 2018). "Mr. Osomatsu Anime's English Dub Casts Matsuno Sextuplets". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  29. ^ Mateo, Alex (May 26, 2021). "Crunchyroll Reveals English Dub Casts, Premieres for Tokyo Revengers, To Your Eternity, 86 Eighty Six, More Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  30. ^ "Character". Vivy -Fluorite Eye's Song- Official USA Website. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  31. ^ Mateo, Alex (July 14, 2021). "Funimation Streams The Prince of Tennis II Hyotei vs. Rikkai Game of Future Anime's English Dub on July 15". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  32. ^ Luster, Joseph (July 24, 2021). "Sentai Shares Vinland Saga English Dub Preview, Reveals Full Cast". Crunchyroll. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  33. ^ Friedman, Nicholas (August 4, 2021). "MAGATSU WAHRHEIT English Dub Announced, Cast and Crew Revealed". Funimation. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  34. ^ Friedman, Nicholas (September 12, 2021). "Ikebukuro West Gate Park English Dub Announced, Cast & Crew Revealed". Funimation. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  35. ^ Friedman, Nicholas (September 24, 2021). "RE-MAIN English Dub Announced, Cast and Crew Revealed". Funimation. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  36. ^ Friedman, Nicholas (November 14, 2021). "Otherside Picnic English Dub Announced, Cast and Crew Revealed". Funimation. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  37. ^ Luster, Joseph (March 15, 2022). "Tokyo 24th Ward English Dub Heads to Crunchyroll, Full Cast Revealed". Crunchyroll. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  38. ^ Mateo, Alex (March 29, 2022). "Crunchyroll Streams The Prince of Tennis TV Anime, OVAs With New English Dub". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  39. ^ a b c d "Billy Kametz: Home". billykametz.com. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  40. ^ "Your voice brought Angelo to life, bringing joy to many.
    Thank you for your contributions.
    A moment of silence for Billy Kametz"    . Facebook. AFK Arena. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  41. ^ "Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 (2019)". Behind the Voice Actors. Retrieved June 14, 2022. MALE ANNOUNCER – Billy Kametz
  42. ^ "One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows (2020 Video Game)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved June 13, 2021. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
  43. ^ "Fire Emblem Heroes – New Heroes (Harmony amid Chaos)". YouTube. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
  44. ^ Kametz, Billy [@billykametz] (September 8, 2020). "Super pumped to voice Nenji Ogata in 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim!! Can't wait to play this thing on 9/22! Major shoutout to @WritingMadness for directing the crap out of this! Also I'm growing a pomp. Enough is enough😉" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  45. ^ "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles (2021 Video Game)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved December 1, 2021. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
  46. ^ "Billy Kametz voicing Ran in Epic Seven". Youtube. SmileGate.
  47. ^ Kadokawa Games. Relayer. Clouded Leopard Entertainment. Scene: Ending credits, 14:14 in, EN CAST; 14:37 in, EN Other VOICE CAST.
  48. ^ The Elder Scrolls Online [@TESOnline] (June 15, 2022). "We are deeply saddened to hear of the recent passing of @BillyKametz. Billy was a talented voice actor and singer who voiced several NPCs for ESO, including some found in the High Isle Chapter. Our sympathies and condolences are with his family and loved ones" (Tweet). Retrieved June 16, 2022 – via Twitter.
  49. ^ Liu, Stephanie (June 12, 2022). "Billy Kametz, Voice of Josuke and Ferdinand, Has Died". Siliconera. Retrieved June 12, 2022. Kametz' voice work for Ferdinand will appear in the upcoming Fire Emblem: Three Hopes, releasing on June 24, 2022.

External links

Categories