Billy P. Kametz(/ˌkəˈmɛts/;[2]March 22, 1987 – June 9, 2022) was an American voice and stage actor. He was best known for his workdubbinganime and video games. Kametz began his voice acting career in 2016. He provided the English voices for Josuke Higashikata inJoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable,Takuto MarukiinPersona 5 Royal,Naofumi IwataniinThe Rising of the Shield Hero,and Ferdinand von Aegir inFire Emblem: Three Houses.Kametz died fromcolorectal cancerat the age of 35.

Billy Kametz
Kametz in 2021
Born(1987-03-22)March 22, 1987
DiedJune 9, 2022(2022-06-09)(aged 35)[1]
OccupationVoice actor
Years active2016–2022
AgentAVO Talent
Notable work

Early life

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Kametz was born on March 22, 1987, inLancaster, Pennsylvania,[1]and was raised inHershey, Pennsylvania.[3]He had a sister.[4]He attendedWest Chester University.[5]

Career

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In 2016, Kametz moved toSherman OaksinLos Angelesto play Aladdin in the final performance ofDisney's Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular.[6]While living in California, Kametz began working as a voice actor. He achieved one of his first major roles when he was cast as Josuke Higashikata in theViz Mediadub ofJoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable.[7]He went on to voice other prominent roles, including Colt inBrawl Stars,Takuto Maruki inPersona 5 Royal,Galo Thymos inPromare,and Ren inPokémon.[8][9]

In 2020, for his performance asNaofumi IwataniinThe Rising of the Shield Hero,Kametz won the Best VA Performance (EN) award at the4th Crunchyroll Anime Awards.[10]Apart from animations, he also provided his voice for many characters in various related video games.[8][9]

Personal life

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Kametz dated voice actressErica Lindbeck.[1][3]

Cancer and death

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On April 26, 2022, Kametz revealed that he had been diagnosed withcolorectal cancerten weeks prior,[11]which hadmetastasizedto his liver, lungs and spine,[8]and that he had begunchemotherapyandradiation therapy.[11]He also announced that he would be taking a hiatus from voice acting and moving back to Hershey, Pennsylvania.[11]AGoFundMepage was posted on May 1, 2022, to help cover travel, insurance costs, medical bills not covered by insurance, and everyday life necessities;[12]these online fundraising efforts yielded more than US$184,000.[3]

Five weeks after the fundraiser was launched, Kametz died on June 9, 2022, in Hershey, Pennsylvania at the age of 35. He was cremated.[1][8][13]

Filmography

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Animation

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List of voice performances in animation
Year Title Role Notes Source
2020 The Owl House Nevareth Episode: "Witches Before Wizards"
2020–2023 Lego Monkie Kid Macaque Season 1–Season 4 episode 5, released posthumously; "New Adventures" dedicated in memory [14]
2023 RWBY Roman Torchwick 2 episodes; released posthumously; "Tea Amidst Terrible Trouble" dedicated in memory
Hailey's On It! Road Rash, Paul 2 episodes; released posthumously

Anime

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List of voice performances in anime
Year Title Role Notes Source
2018 Sword Gai Seiya Ichijō [15]
Fate/Extra Last Encore Hakuno Kishinami [15]
2018–19 JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable Josuke Higashikata [16]
Beyblade Burst Turbo Fubuki Sumiye [15]
2018–22 Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Metal Lee, Hidari, Tanuki Shigaraki, Hyōi Yorishiro, Kokushi [17]
2018–20 Baki Kosho Shinogi, Gaia [15]
2018 Sirius the Jaeger Mikhail [15]
2019–20 KonoSuba Kyouya Mitsurugi [15]
2019 High School Prodigies Have It Easy Even In Another World Elch [18]
Hunter × Hunter: The Last Mission Jed [15]
Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World Wilhelm van Astrea (young) [15]
The Rising of the Shield Hero Naofumi Iwatani Season 1 only [19]
2019–21 Aggretsuko Anai [15]
Cells at Work White Blood Cell (Neutrophil) [20]
2019 Promare Galo Thymos [21]
Neon Genesis Evangelion Shigeru Aoba Netflix dub [22]
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth [22]
The End of Evangelion [22]
To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts Claude Withers [23]
Teasing Master Takagi-san Nishikata Season 2 [24]
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. Kineshi Hairo Reawakened [15]
2019–21 Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun Asmodeus Alice [25]
2020 Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Rui [12]
Science Fell in Love, So I Tried to Prove It Shinya Yukimura Season 1 only [26]
2020–21 Beastars Durham, Mayor [15]
2020 Gundam Build Divers Re:Rise Hiroto Kuga [15]
Tower of God Katan, Alexay Amigocharz [15]
2020–22 Pokémon Ren, Inteleon, Ash's Rotom Phone [15]
2021 Fire Force Amon Hajike [15]
Suppose a Kid from the Last Dungeon Boonies Moved to a Starter Town Allan Twein Lidcain [27]
Osomatsu-san Osomatsu [28]
2021–22 Attack on Titan Niccolo [15]
2021 The Way of the Househusband Kunimi [15]
2021–22 86 Shinei Nouzen Episodes 1–21 only [29]
2021 Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song Tatsuya Saeki [30]
Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness Patrick [15]
The Prince of Tennis II: Hyotei vs. Rikkai Game of Future Ryo Shishido [31]
Vinland Saga Ari Netflix dub [32]
Magatsu Wahrheit Zuerst Conrad Wisdom [33]
Ikebukuro West Gate Park Kyōichi Ozaki [34]
2021–22 Re-Main Takekazu Ejiri [35]
2021 Otherside Picnic Greg [36]
2022 Tokyo 24th Ward Shuta Aoi 6 episodes [37]
The Prince of Tennis Ryo Shishido [38]

Video games

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List of voice performances in video games
Year Title Role Notes Source
2016 Marvel Avengers Academy Agent Coulson,Iron Lad,Collector,Thor Noir [39]
2018 BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle Naoto Kurogane [39]
Brawl Stars Colt [39]
2019 JumpStart Academy Max Martian [15]
AFK Arena Angelo [40][better source needed]
Fire Emblem: Three Houses Ferdinand von Aegir [15]
Pokémon Masters Blue 2019 - 2021 [15][39]
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 Male Announcer [41]
2020 One-Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows Additional voices [42]
Fire Emblem Heroes Ferdinand von Aegir [43]
Persona 5 Royal Takuto Maruki [15]
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim Nenji Ogata [44]
2021 Ys IX: Monstrum Nox Marius
Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster Raidou Kuzunoha [15]
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles Rui [45]
Epic Seven Ran [46]
2022 Triangle Strategy Jerrom Laesmi [15]
Relayer Director of Defense Isaac, additional voices [47]
The Elder Scrolls Online Additional voices [48][better source needed]
AI: The Somnium Files – Nirvana Initiative Tearer Posthumous release [15]
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes Ferdinand von Aegir [15][49]

Awards and nominations

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Award Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2020 Best VA Performance (EN) The Rising of the Shield Hero Won

References

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  1. ^abcde"Billy Kametz Obituary".The Patriot-News.June 11, 2022.RetrievedJune 11,2022.
  2. ^Billy Kametz (Voice of Josuke Higashikata from Diamond is Unbreakable) Interview | Behind the Voice,retrievedMay 30,2023
  3. ^abcHoopes, Zack (June 12, 2022)."Central Pa. native who has won accolades for voice acting dies at 35".The Patriot-News.RetrievedJune 18,2022.
  4. ^Ushe, Naledi (June 12, 2022)."'Pokémon' voice actor Billy Kametz dies from colon cancer at 35: 'Sincere, humble and loving'".USA Today.RetrievedJune 29,2022.
  5. ^"Theater department shines this spring".The Quad: Student News Service of WCU.January 26, 2009.RetrievedNovember 15,2022.
  6. ^"Billy Kametz".Sakura-Con.RetrievedJune 11,2022.
  7. ^Pineda, Rafael Antonio (July 6, 2018)."Viz Media Licenses JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable Manga & Live-Action Film, Golden Wind Anime".Anime News Network.RetrievedAugust 10,2021.
  8. ^abcdDupre, Elyse (June 13, 2022)."Pokémon Voice Actor Billy Kametz Dead at 35 After Colon Cancer Battle".E! Online.RetrievedJune 18,2022.
  9. ^abDoolan, Liam (June 12, 2022)."Fire Emblem And Pokémon Voice Actor Billy Kametz Has Passed Away".Nintendo Life.RetrievedJune 18,2022.
  10. ^Goslin, Austen (February 15, 2020)."Demon Slayer takes home top prize at Crunchyroll's Anime Awards".Polygon.RetrievedJune 12,2022.
  11. ^abcLuster, Joseph (April 26, 2022)."Voice Actor Billy Kametz Reveals Stage IV Colon Cancer Diagnosis".Otaku USA.RetrievedApril 30,2022.
  12. ^abHazra, Adriana (April 30, 2022)."GoFundMe Campaign Launches for Voice Actor Billy Kametz Following Stage IV Colon Cancer Diagnosis".Anime News Network.RetrievedJune 11,2022.
  13. ^Hodgkins, Crystalyn (June 11, 2022)."Voice Actor Billy Kametz Dies at 35".Anime News Network.RetrievedJune 11,2022.
  14. ^"Macaque".Lego Monkie Kid.Season 1. Episode 9. October 3, 2020. Event occurs at 11:10. Amazon Kids+.
  15. ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz"Billy Kametz (visual voices guide)".Behind The Voice Actors.RetrievedMay 16,2021.A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  16. ^Pineda, Rafael Antonio (July 6, 2018)."Viz Media Licenses JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable Manga & Live-Action Film, Golden Wind Anime".Anime News Network.RetrievedAugust 10,2021.
  17. ^Kametz, Billy [@BillyKametz] (October 14, 2018)."I am so excited to announce that I will be voicing Metal Lee in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations on Toonami! No more contracting words for me!"(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
  18. ^"High School Prodigies Have It Easy Even in Another World! (2019– ) Full Cast & Crew".imdb.
  19. ^Ressler, Karen (December 20, 2018)."Funimation to Stream Rising of the Shield Hero Anime, Crunchyroll Announces Dub Cast".Anime News Network.RetrievedAugust 10,2021.
  20. ^Sherman, Jennifer (May 17, 2019)."Aniplex of America Reveals Cells at Work! Anime's English Dub Cast, BD Release (Update)".Anime News Network.RetrievedAugust 10,2021.
  21. ^Sherman, Jennifer (September 12, 2019)."Promare Anime Film's English-dubbed Clip Streamed".Anime News Network.RetrievedAugust 10,2021.
  22. ^abcFrost, Caroline (June 12, 2022)."Billy Kametz Dies: Popular Video Game And Anime Voice Actor Was 35".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedJune 22,2022.
  23. ^Mateo, Alex (September 12, 2019)."Crunchyroll to Stream Ahiru no Sora, Days of Urashimasakatasen Anime".Anime News Network.RetrievedAugust 10,2021.
  24. ^"Teasing Master Takagi-san S2 English Netflix Credits".Imgur.December 6, 2019.RetrievedSeptember 6,2021.
  25. ^Kametz, Billy [@BillyKametz] (December 21, 2019)."Episode 1 of Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun is out of @Crunchyroll!! I absolutely adore this show! Directed by none other than JoBro @JalenKCassell who is amazing! I play Asmodeus Alice! I hope you enjoy!"(Tweet).RetrievedJune 11,2022– viaTwitter.
  26. ^Luster, Joseph (May 9, 2021)."Meet the English Dub Cast of Science Fell in Love, So I Tried to Prove It".Crunchyroll.RetrievedAugust 10,2021.
  27. ^Mateo, Alex (March 8, 2021)."Funimation Streams 'Suppose a Kid From the Last Dungeon Boonies Moved to a Starter Town,' Kaguya-sama: Love is War Season 1 Anime's English Dubs".Anime News Network.RetrievedAugust 10,2021.
  28. ^Ressler, Karen (September 22, 2018)."Mr. Osomatsu Anime's English Dub Casts Matsuno Sextuplets".Anime News Network.RetrievedAugust 10,2021.
  29. ^Mateo, Alex (May 26, 2021)."Crunchyroll Reveals English Dub Casts, Premieres for Tokyo Revengers, To Your Eternity, 86 Eighty Six, More Anime".Anime News Network.RetrievedAugust 10,2021.
  30. ^"Character".Vivy -Fluorite Eye's Song- Official USA Website.RetrievedAugust 10,2021.
  31. ^Mateo, Alex (July 14, 2021)."Funimation Streams The Prince of Tennis II Hyotei vs. Rikkai Game of Future Anime's English Dub on July 15".Anime News Network.RetrievedAugust 10,2021.
  32. ^Luster, Joseph (July 24, 2021)."Sentai Shares Vinland Saga English Dub Preview, Reveals Full Cast".Crunchyroll.RetrievedAugust 10,2021.
  33. ^Friedman, Nicholas (August 4, 2021)."MAGATSU WAHRHEIT English Dub Announced, Cast and Crew Revealed".Funimation.RetrievedAugust 5,2021.
  34. ^Friedman, Nicholas (September 12, 2021)."Ikebukuro West Gate Park English Dub Announced, Cast & Crew Revealed".Funimation.RetrievedSeptember 13,2021.
  35. ^Friedman, Nicholas (September 24, 2021)."RE-MAIN English Dub Announced, Cast and Crew Revealed".Funimation.RetrievedSeptember 25,2021.
  36. ^Friedman, Nicholas (November 14, 2021)."Otherside Picnic English Dub Announced, Cast and Crew Revealed".Funimation.RetrievedNovember 14,2021.
  37. ^Luster, Joseph (March 15, 2022)."Tokyo 24th Ward English Dub Heads to Crunchyroll, Full Cast Revealed".Crunchyroll.RetrievedMarch 15,2022.
  38. ^Mateo, Alex (March 29, 2022)."Crunchyroll Streams The Prince of Tennis TV Anime, OVAs With New English Dub".Anime News Network.RetrievedMarch 29,2022.
  39. ^abcd"Billy Kametz: Home".billykametz.RetrievedAugust 14,2021.
  40. ^"Your voice brought Angelo to life, bringing joy to many.
    Thank you for your contributions.
    A moment of silence for Billy Kametz "
    .Facebook.AFK Arena.RetrievedJune 16,2022.
  41. ^"Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 (2019)".Behind the Voice Actors.RetrievedJune 14,2022.MALE ANNOUNCER – Billy Kametz
  42. ^"One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows (2020 Video Game)".Behind The Voice Actors.RetrievedJune 13,2021.A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  43. ^"Fire Emblem Heroes – New Heroes (Harmony amid Chaos)".YouTube.RetrievedAugust 29,2021.
  44. ^Kametz, Billy [@billykametz] (September 8, 2020)."Super pumped to voice Nenji Ogata in 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim!! Can't wait to play this thing on 9/22! Major shoutout to @WritingMadness for directing the crap out of this! Also I'm growing a pomp. Enough is enough😉"(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
  45. ^"Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles (2021 Video Game)".Behind The Voice Actors.RetrievedDecember 1,2021.A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  46. ^"Billy Kametz voicing Ran in Epic Seven".Youtube.SmileGate.
  47. ^Kadokawa Games.Relayer.Clouded Leopard Entertainment. Scene: Ending credits, 14:14 in, EN CAST; 14:37 in, EN Other VOICE CAST.
  48. ^The Elder Scrolls Online [@TESOnline] (June 15, 2022)."We are deeply saddened to hear of the recent passing of @BillyKametz. Billy was a talented voice actor and singer who voiced several NPCs for ESO, including some found in the High Isle Chapter. Our sympathies and condolences are with his family and loved ones"(Tweet).RetrievedJune 16,2022– viaTwitter.
  49. ^Liu, Stephanie (June 12, 2022)."Billy Kametz, Voice of Josuke and Ferdinand, Has Died".Siliconera.RetrievedJune 12,2022.Kametz' voice work for Ferdinand will appear in the upcoming Fire Emblem: Three Hopes, releasing on June 24, 2022.
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