William Frederick Knight was an American actor widely recognized for his extensive work as a voice actor in English dubs of anime and video games. Born on December 6, 1933, he was active in the entertainment industry from 1966 until his passing in 2022. He was sometimes credited under variant names such as William Knight, William Frederick, or Frederick Knight. Knight was known for his dignified and authoritative voice, which frequently led to him being cast in roles as wise elders, mentors, and authority figures.

Knight's most iconic and enduring role was that of Daisuke Aramaki, the chief of Section 9, in the English adaptations of the extensive Ghost in the Shell franchise. He first voiced the character in the original 1995 film and continued in the role across numerous projects for over two decades. This includes the television series Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex and its second gig, Ghost in the Shell: SAC2045, as well as the films Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex: Solid State Society, and Ghost in the Shell: SAC2045 Sustainable War. He also lent his voice to the character in various video game adaptations of the series.

Beyond his signature role, Knight built a substantial filmography of prominent characters in English-dubbed anime. He voiced Gordon Rosewater in The Big O, Kuzemi in Eureka Seven, and Danzō Shimura in the Naruto Shippuden series. In his later years, he took on roles such as Kenzou in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean and the grandfather in Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon. His credits also include the specific roles of Cooper in Spirit of Wonder Scientific Boys Club, Professor Tachibana in Dangaizer 3, Alan in Freedom, and Leonard Henry in Fake, as highlighted in his comprehensive filmography.

In addition to anime, Knight's voice was featured in numerous video games, including Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, the Naruto series, and World of Final Fantasy. His career also encompassed live-action television and film, with early appearances including a guest role in the original Star Trek series and a part in Power Rangers Zeo.

William Frederick Knight passed away on November 8, 2022, in North Hollywood, California, at the age of 88. He left behind a legacy of work that significantly shaped the English-language experience of anime for a generation of viewers, most notably through his long-standing portrayal of Chief Aramaki.