Doc Harris, known for his booming narration in the beloved 90s anime series Dragon Ball Z, has passed away at the age of 76.
His death came on Saturday at Vancouver General Hospital following complications from a minor surgery last month, as first reported by Broadcast Dialogue, a Canadian trade publication.
From Radio Beginnings to Global Fame
Born as Gilbert Achinleck on August 3, 1948, Harris’s journey began far from anime stardom.
He kicked off his career in radio back in 1966, taking up his first job with CKDA and CFMS-FM in Victoria, British Columbia, under the name “Gil Harris.”
For the next several years, he honed his craft, moving through various Canadian radio stations before making a name for himself in Toronto, where he debuted as “Doc Holliday” in 1971.
The name “Doc Harris,” which he would later become famous for, first appeared in 1973 when he worked at Vancouver’s CKLG station.
Over the next two decades, Harris enjoyed a thriving career, becoming a familiar voice on Vancouver’s radio airwaves.
The Voice Behind Dragon Ball Z
Although Harris had a successful radio career, it was his work as the narrator of Dragon Ball Z that cemented his place in pop culture history.
His deep, authoritative voice became synonymous with the English-language version of the anime, airing in the U.S. from 1996 to 1998.
For many fans, his opening line, “Last time on Dragon Ball Z,” and the closing, “We’ll see you next time on Dragon Ball Z,” were the bookends of countless episodes that introduced them to iconic characters like Goku, Bulma, and Piccolo.
The show itself originally aired in Japan from 1989 to 1996 before it was adapted for English-speaking audiences, and Harris’s narration played a crucial role in its syndication success in the U.S.
Beyond Dragon Ball Z: A Career in Animation and Radio
While Dragon Ball Z remains his most famous work, Harris’s voice talents extended to other projects as well.
According to his IMDb page, he narrated anime series such as Monster Rancher, Eat-Man ’98, and Sister Blue.
His distinctive voice also appeared in the video game Aegis Defenders and even an episode of The X-Files in 1993.
Remembering a Legend
The anime community is mourning the loss of a man whose voice brought a unique intensity to one of the genre’s most beloved shows.
For over 200 episodes, Doc Harris was the voice that welcomed viewers into the world of Dragon Ball Z.
Fans will forever remember his iconic narration, a legacy that will continue to echo in the hearts of anime lovers worldwide.
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