Canadian voice actor Doc Harris, renowned for his role as the English narrator in the beloved anime series Dragon Ball Z, has passed away at the age of 76. Born Gilbert Auchinleck, Harris lent his voice to more than 200 episodes of the popular series from 1996 to 2003.
Harris died in Vancouver on October 5, according to reports. His passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans and colleagues alike. One friend and former colleague shared on social media that Harris’s “impact on me and countless others will not be soon forgotten.”
His deep, distinctive voice became iconic as he narrated recaps, intros, and outros for Dragon Ball Z episodes, capturing the attention of audiences worldwide.
In addition to his work in anime, Harris had a long and successful career in Canadian radio, starting in 1971 and adopting the name Doc Harris in 1976.
Actor Ian James Corlett, who voiced Goku in Dragon Ball Z from 1996 to 1997, honored his friend and former colleague on Instagram, calling him “one of a kind.” Corlett described Harris as a “HUGE force” in his early career, noting that he “lived and breathed music” and possessed a “keen eye for movies.”
Beyond Dragon Ball Z, Harris’s talent extended to other animated series, including My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, and he also contributed to video games such as Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2.
The Dragon Ball Z television series was adapted from the manga created by Akira Toriyama, who passed away in March at the age of 68 due to an acute subdural hematoma, a form of bleeding near the brain.
