FUNimation announced today that Cole Brown (english voice actor) has passed away at the age of 60. Up until his death, Cole Brown had been voice acting and contributing to FUNimation for over 10 years. He voiced the Blackbeard character on one piece (clip shown below) and did an amazing job at it as well.
Tyler Walker at FUNimation had this to say about Cole Brown saying, "I directed him over the years at Funimation. I cast him as the wise, benevolent, King of the Stars. He was perfect for the role of course, because you could hear kindness and warmth in his voice. Not to mention, the king's most oft said piece of advice was "smile!" I always smiled when Cole was around, as did so many he encountered. And I will whenever I think back on our time together."
Brown's other roles included Heaven Canceller in A Certain Magical Index, Vahriz in The Heroic Legend of Arslan, the Celestial Spirit King in Fairy Tail, and the narrators in Jormungand and Desert Punk. Voice acting wasn't the only job he held. He was also a firefighter/paramedic for almost 26 years.
To the family of Cole Brown from everyone at AnimeMojo, you are in our hopes and prayers.