Christopher Ayres

American actor (1965–2021) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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 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.[4][5]

Born
Christopher Owen Ayres

(1965-05-16)May 16, 1965
DiedOctober 18, 2021(2021-10-18) (aged 56)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actor
  • director
  • scriptwriter
Yearsactive1990s-2021
Quick facts Born, Died ...
Christopher Ayres
Ayres in 2013
Born
Christopher Owen Ayres

(1965-05-16)May 16, 1965
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]
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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 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.[14][15]

Filmography

Anime

More information Year, Title ...
List of voice performances in animation
Year Title Role Notes Ref.[16]
2003 Saint SeiyaUshioADV dub
2004 Kino's JourneyBartender
Bast of SyndromeDr. Pluto[17]
Mezzo DSAMotoharu, Taneri, Baba, Hanamura[17]
Sister PrincessIslander[17]
2005 A Tree of PalmeSawadust[18]
Full Metal Panic? FumoffuAtsunobu Hayashimizu[19]
GantzKei Kurono[20][21]
GodannarTetsuya Kouji[17]
Initial DMikiFunimation dub
MaburahoYukihiko Nakamaru[17]
Yugo the NegotiatorYusuf Ali Mesa[17]
2006 Diamond DaydreamsKenji Kurata[17]
MacrossLin KaifunADV dub[17]
Nanaka 6/17Jinpachi Arashiyama[17]
PapuwaOshodani[17]
Speed GrapherSuitengu[17]
Nerima Daikon BrothersADR director[22]
2008–2009 Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi PitchADR director unreleased English Dub
2009 Fairy TailDuke Everlue
2010 Sengoku BasaraShigen Takeda[23]
Black ButlerSoma Asman Kadar[24]
Dragon Ball Z KaiFrieza[17]
Golgo 13Dave McCartney[17]
Legends of the Dark King: A Fist of the North Star StoryElder[25]
Tears to TiaraArthur, Pwyll[17]
Panty & Stocking with GarterbeltCorset[26]
2011 Clannad After StorySudou, Kinoshita, various characters[17]
2013 AnotherYosuke Sakakibara[27]
Kokoro ConnectInari's brother[25]
2016 HanayamataAdditional voicesADR director[28]
2017–2019 Dragon Ball SuperFrieza
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Films

More information Year, Series ...
List of voice performances in feature, direct-to-video and television films
Year Series Role Notes Ref.[29]
2011 Mardock Scramble: The First CompressionWelldone the Pussyhand[25]
2012 Gintama: The MovieKamui, Taizo Hasegawa, Tatsuma Sakamoto, Ner[25]
Sengoku Basara: The Last PartyShingen Takeda[25]
2015 Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F'Frieza[30]
2018 Dragon Ball Super: BrolyFriezaFinal film role[31]
2021 The Dog Park: Prank CallsCaller #1Short; Final role
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Video games

More information Year, Title ...
List of voice performances in video games
Year Title Role Notes Ref.[29]
2008 The Last RemnantWagram[32]
2010–2018 Dragon Ball seriesFrieza[25]
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Theater credits

More information Year, Title ...
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]
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References

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