Christopher Ayres
Ayres in 2013
Born
Christopher Owen Ayres

(1965-05-16)May 16, 1965
Richmond, Virginia, U.S.[1]
DiedOctober 18, 2021(2021-10-18) (aged 56)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actor
  • director
  • scriptwriter
Years active1990s-2021
PartnerKrystal LaPorte
FamilyGreg Ayres (brother)[2]

Christopher Owen Ayres (May 16, 1965 – October 18, 2021)[1] 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.[3] In anime, he was known as the voice of Frieza from Dragon Ball Z Kai and Dragon Ball Super, Kei Kurono from Gantz, 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.[4][5]

Early life and career

Ayres had his first professional acting gig in a commercial for Lollipop Soft Drinks in Richmond, Virginia, when he was six years old.[6] The Ayres family moved to the Alief, Houston, area of Houston, Texas, when he was 12,[7] where Chris attended Alief Middle School,[8] and then Alief Elsik High School. He graduated in 1983.[9] After graduating high school Ayres attended Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, Texas, and studied theatre until 1985.[9] He returned to Houston and continued to study theatre at the University of Houston.[9] Prior to his voice acting and ADR directing career, he was well known as a stage director, choreographer, and fight director in the Houston Theatre community.[10][11]

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.[12][13]

Ayres died on October 18, 2021, at 56, 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.[14][15]

Filmography

Anime

List of voice performances in animation
Year Title Role Notes Ref.[16]
2003 Saint Seiya Ushio ADV dub
2004 Kino's Journey Bartender
Bast of Syndrome Dr. Pluto [17]
Mezzo DSA Motoharu, Taneri, Baba, Hanamura [17]
Sister Princess Islander [17]
2005 A Tree of Palme Sawadust [18]
Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu Atsunobu Hayashimizu [19]
Gantz Kei Kurono [20][21]
Godannar Tetsuya Kouji [17]
Initial D Miki Funimation dub
Maburaho Yukihiko Nakamaru [17]
Yugo the Negotiator Yusuf Ali Mesa [17]
2006 Diamond Daydreams Kenji Kurata [17]
Macross Lin Kaifun ADV dub [17]
Nanaka 6/17 Jinpachi Arashiyama [17]
Papuwa Oshodani [17]
Speed Grapher Suitengu [17]
Nerima Daikon Brothers ADR director [22]
2008–2009 Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch ADR director unreleased English Dub
2009 Fairy Tail Duke Everlue
2010 Sengoku Basara Shigen Takeda [23]
Black Butler Soma Asman Kadar [24]
Dragon Ball Z Kai Frieza [17]
Golgo 13 Dave McCartney [17]
Legends of the Dark King: A Fist of the North Star Story Elder [25]
Tears to Tiara Arthur, Pwyll [17]
Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt Corset [26]
2011 Clannad After Story Sudou, Kinoshita, various characters [17]
2013 Another Yosuke Sakakibara [27]
Kokoro Connect Inari's brother [25]
2016 Hanayamata Additional voices ADR director [28]
2017–2019 Dragon Ball Super Frieza

Films

List of voice performances in feature, direct-to-video and television films
Year Series Role Notes Ref.[29]
2011 Mardock Scramble: The First Compression Welldone the Pussyhand [25]
2012 Gintama: The Movie Kamui, Taizo Hasegawa, Tatsuma Sakamoto, Ner [25]
Sengoku Basara: The Last Party Shingen Takeda [25]
2015 Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' Frieza [30]
2018 Dragon Ball Super: Broly Frieza Final film role [31]
2021 The Dog Park: Prank Calls Caller #1 Short; Final role

Video games

List of voice performances in video games
Year Title Role Notes Ref.[29]
2008 The Last Remnant Wagram [32]
2010–2018 Dragon Ball series Frieza[25]

Theater credits

List of acting and directing credits in the theater
Year Title Role Notes Ref.[29]
1989–1991 Peter Pan Slightly, John Darling (understudy) Tour [33]
1990–1991 Peter Pan Slightly, John Darling (understudy) Broadway - Lunt-Fontanne Theatre [34]
1991–1992 Peter Pan Slightly, John Darling (understudy) Broadway - Minskoff Theatre [35]
1999 The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Director and Choreographer

Country Playhouse, Houston, TX

[36]
1999 The All Night Strut

A review of 30's and 40's music

Director

Country Playhouse, Houston, TX

[37]
2000 Gypsy Choreographer

Country Playhouse, Houston, TX

[38]
2000 And the World Goes 'Round Director

Country Playhouse, Houston, TX

[39]
2001 Hair Director and Choreographer

Country Playhouse, Houston, TX

[40]
2001 Man of La Mancha Director and Choreographer

Country Playhouse, Houston, TX

[41]
2002 Cabaret Director and Choreographer

Country Playhouse, Houston, TX

[42]
2003 A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Director and Choreographer

Country Playhouse, Houston, TX

[43]
2004 Romeo and Juliet Fight Choreographer

Country Playhouse, Houston, TX

[44][45]
2004 The Pirates of Penzance Director and Choreographer

Country Playhouse, Houston, TX

[46][47]
2005 Noises Off Director

Country Playhouse, Houston, TX

[48]
2005 The Rocky Horror Show Director, Choreographer and Fight Choreographer

Playhouse 90, Rosenberg, TX

[49]
2005 You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown Director and Choreographer

Playhouse 90, Rosenberg, TX

[49]

References

  1. ^ a b "Frieza English Voice Actor Chris Ayres Has Died". October 20, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  2. ^ Walter, Joseph (December 8, 2018). "25 Dragon Ball Super Fan Theories (We Can't Believe Are True)". TheGamer. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. In the dub, Frieza is voiced by Christopher Ayres, and fans were pleasantly surprised to find that Frost was voiced by Greg Ayres, Chris' brother.
  3. ^ Ayres, Chris. "Since I left Sentai I've not been able to watch much anime but being tagged in anything with Sentai actually gives me a hard time breathing because All I hear is their screaming and insults. I am so grateful fans respect my wishes not to be tagged but most Houston actors don't". Twitter. Archived from the original on September 4, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  4. ^ "Christopher Ayres". Active Anime. October 5, 2005. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  5. ^ "Mock Combat for Cosplay". ChristopherAyres-VA.com. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
  6. ^ "FAQ". Archived from the original on June 1, 2012. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  7. ^ "Christopher Ayres Places Lived". Facebook. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  8. ^ "Famed musical opens Friday at westside theater". Chron. July 11, 2002. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  9. ^ a b c "Christopher Ayres Work and Education". Facebook. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  10. ^ "Cast for Best Little Whorehouse". Archived from the original on January 18, 2001. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  11. ^ "Romeo & Juliet". Archived from the original on May 4, 2004. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  12. ^ Green, Scott. "Fundraiser Aims To Help Voice Actor Christopher Ayres". Crunchyroll. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  13. ^ "Fundraising Launched for Vital Medical Treatment for Voice Actor Chris Ayres". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
  14. ^ Valdez, Nick (October 19, 2021). "Chris Ayres, Dragon Ball's Voice of Frieza, Passes Away". ComicBook.com. ViacomCBS. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021.
  15. ^ Huff, Lauren (October 19, 2021). "Chris Ayres, voice actor known for Dragon Ball's Frieza, dies at 56". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021.
  16. ^ Ayres, Chris (August 3, 2013). "Voice work of Chris Ayres". Archived from the original on August 31, 2013. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Chris Ayres". crystalacids.com. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
  18. ^ "A Tree of Palme English Cast List". Mania.com. November 15, 2004. Archived from the original on December 4, 2008.
  19. ^ "Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu – 1 – The Man from the South/A Hostage with No Compromises". Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu. ADV Films. Archived from the original on March 11, 2016 – via Funimation.
  20. ^ "Florida Supercon Adds Todd Nauck, Christopher Ayres, Phillip Lee McCall II". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  21. ^ "Shelf Life – Gantz Gantz Revolution". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  22. ^ Bertschy, Zac (August 5, 2006). "Otakon 2006 A.D. Vision". Anime News Network.
  23. ^ "Shelf Life – I Am Xam". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  24. ^ "FUNimation Announces English Dub Cast of Black Butler". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  25. ^ a b c d e f "Behind The Voice Actors – Christopher Ayres". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
  26. ^ Saabedra, Humberto. "FUNimation Announces "Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt" English Cast and Debut Trailer". Crunchyroll. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  27. ^ Green, Scott (June 19, 2013). "Sentai Filmworks Announces "Another" English Dub Cast". Crunchyroll. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
  28. ^ "Official HaNaYaMaTa English Dub Cast List". Sentai Filmworks. January 13, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  29. ^ a b c "Voicework". Christopher Ayres official website. Archived from the original on August 31, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
  30. ^ Funimation (August 4, 2015). "DRAGON BALL Z: RESURRECTION 'F' Production Notes". SciFi Japan. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  31. ^ "This guy is a freaking hero. Recorded on the Broly trailer with 15% lung capacity. Nothing but love for the ultimate Frieza, @Chrisayresva". Twitter. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  32. ^ Square Enix. The Last Remnant. Square Enix. Scene: Ending credits, 2:10 in, English Voice Recording, Cast.
  33. ^ "Peter Pan – Broadway Musical – 1989-1991 Tour". Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  34. ^ "Peter Pan – Broadway Musical – 1989-1991 Tour". Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  35. ^ "Peter Pan – Broadway Musical – 1989-1991 Tour". Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  36. ^ "Cast for Best Little Whorehouse". Archived from the original on January 18, 2001. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  37. ^ "1999-2000 Season". Archived from the original on January 17, 2001. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  38. ^ "2000-2001 Season". Archived from the original on January 17, 2001. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  39. ^ "2000-2001 Season". Archived from the original on January 17, 2001. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  40. ^ "Hair". Archived from the original on June 12, 2001. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  41. ^ "Man of La Mancha". Archived from the original on April 3, 2002. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  42. ^ "Famed musical opens Friday at westside theater". Chron. July 11, 2002. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  43. ^ "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum". Archived from the original on May 4, 2004. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  44. ^ "R & J". Archived from the original on May 4, 2004. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  45. ^ "Main Stage". Archived from the original on April 1, 2004. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  46. ^ "Pirates of Penzance". Archived from the original on November 19, 2004. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  47. ^ "2004-05 Season". Archived from the original on December 8, 2004. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  48. ^ "Noises Off!". Archived from the original on November 19, 2004. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  49. ^ a b "Playhouse 90: Fort Bend County, Texas". Archived from the original on December 31, 2005. Retrieved October 26, 2021.

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