Francesco Mei is an Italian voice actor known for his extensive work in dubbing anime, television series, and video games for the Italian market. He was born in Bologna on April 20, 1981. His interest in voice acting was sparked by the video game The Last Express, particularly the performance of Giorgio Melazzi. He began his career with a background in theatre before his first opportunity in dubbing came with a minor role in the anime Fushigi yûgi at a studio in Bologna. This experience, guided by voice director Massimo Antonio Rossi, set the foundation for his regular work as a dubber.

Mei has built a substantial portfolio of anime voice roles, lending his voice to a wide array of characters across numerous popular series. He is the Italian voice of Kiyotaka Ijichi in the hit series Jujutsu Kaisen and its sequel, as well as the film Jujutsu Kaisen 0. He also voiced the mythical Pokémon Zarude in the film Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle. His other notable anime credits include Yoruichi Shihoin in her cat form and NaNaNa Najahkoop in Bleach, Gang Orca in My Hero Academia, Issei Isagi in Blue Lock, and the second voice of Taizō Hasegawa in Gintama. He also voices Kaiju No. 9 in Kaiju No. 8, the previous incarnation of Rudeus Greyrat in Mushoku Tensei, and Senta Yamada Asaemon in Hell's Paradise. His career in the medium spans decades, with earlier roles including Good Night Shimokawa in Beelzebub and Kagemune in Sword Art Online.

Beyond anime, Mei's career is marked by frequent collaborations across various media, showcasing his versatility. He has recurring roles in several major television series, most notably as the eccentric Floki in Vikings. He also dubbed Zachary Levi in The Lost Gift and appears in series such as The Crown, Halo, and Alice in Borderland. In the realm of children's television, he has provided voices for puppets, including Tino on the program Adriana, Tino e me and DJ Ciuffetto on Radio Crock'n'Dolls.

A significant portion of Mei's work is in video game dubbing, where he has voiced many iconic characters. He is particularly well-known for his performances as the villain Vaas Montenegro in Far Cry 3 and as Adam Jensen in Deus Ex: Human Revolution and Deus Ex: Mankind Divided. His extensive video game filmography also includes roles as Rafe Adler in Uncharted 4, Electro in Marvel's Spider-Man, Octavio Silva "Octane" in Apex Legends, Rain in Mortal Kombat 11 and Mortal Kombat 1, and Emperor Palpatine in several Star Wars games. He has also contributed his voice to numerous titles in major franchises such as Assassin's Creed, Call of Duty, Diablo, and Halo.

Throughout his career, Francesco Mei has achieved recognition for his ability to bring a wide range of characters to life, from troubled villains to comedic sidekicks. His work on Far Cry 3 is particularly celebrated, having voiced a character who became an iconic figure in the video game world. A notable anecdote from his career highlights his talent for character work: his impromptu imitations of Emperor Palpatine around the recording studio eventually led to him being officially cast as the voice of the character in several video games. His enduring presence in the Italian dubbing industry across animation, live-action, and interactive media underscores his status as a prolific and accomplished voice actor.