James Carter Cathcart, a celebrated voice actor who played a key role in shaping the soundscape of the Pokémon anime series, has passed away at the age of 71. He died on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in hospice care located in Forest Hills, New York, following a prolonged battle with throat cancer.
Diagnosed in 2023, Retired in 2023
Cathcart was diagnosed with throat cancer in early 2023. Despite undergoing treatment, initial efforts did not yield positive results, leading doctors to shift him to more aggressive chemotherapy. Due to his health complications, he announced his retirement from voice acting that same year after completing his final work on Pokémon: Ultimate Journeys, the 25th season of the franchise.
A Heartfelt Farewell from Friends and Fans
The news of his passing sparked a wave of emotional tributes across social media. Fellow voice actress Erica Schroeder (Nurse Joy, Wobbuffet) honored him in a touching message:
“Rest in peace dear sweet man. I will miss you. The community will miss you. The world will miss you… You were one of a kind, a gentle, beautiful, playful genius, and I was happy to call you my friend.”
Fans echoed the sorrow, with one writing:
“Oh man… first Meowth, then Jesse/Misty and now… Gary… Team Rocket are no more. RIP James :(”
A Year of Loss for the Pokémon Family
Cathcart’s passing comes a year after the death of Rachael Lillis, who voiced Misty, Jessie, and Jigglypuff in the original English dub. Lillis passed away in May 2024 after her battle with breast cancer, leaving another hole in the Pokémon voice acting family.
Every Character Voiced by James Carter Cathcart in Anime, Games & Commercials
James Carter Cathcart was a cornerstone of the English-dubbed Pokémon anime, contributing his voice to a multitude of fan-favorite characters for over 25 years:
- 🧪 Professor Oak – the knowledgeable and warm-hearted mentor
- 💥 James – the dramatic Team Rocket member
- 🐱 Meowth – Team Rocket’s wisecracking and beloved Pokémon sidekick
- 🔥 Gary Oak – Ash’s cocky yet talented rival
He seamlessly took over these roles in the early 2000s from their original voice actors and made them his own. His vocal versatility allowed him to deliver each character with such personality that they’ve become etched in fans’ memories.
Beyond Pokémon: A Prolific Career
While best known for his work in Pokémon, Cathcart’s voice acting resume was expansive. Some of his notable non-Pokémon credits include:
🎮 Vector the Crocodile in Sonic X and Shadow the Hedgehog
🃏 Weevil Underwood and Lumis in Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters
🌀 Roles in One Piece, Aria, Kirby: Right Back at Ya!, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Slayers, and Mission Odyssey
Outside of anime, Cathcart was also active in commercial voiceover work, lending his voice to brands such as Kit Kat, Coors Light, and Good Humor.
He was also known as a talented musician, pianist, and songwriter, often referred to as a “master of pen, piano, and microphone.”
His Journey Began With Pokémon: The First Movie
Cathcart’s involvement with the Pokémon franchise began with Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back in 1998, where he voiced Fergus and Snubbull in the accompanying short Pikachu’s Vacation. He later went on to voice Todd Snap in the Pokémon Snap game and gradually became a regular cast member by the mid-2000s, voicing several core characters for the next two decades.
In total, he appeared in:
- Over 700 episodes of the main series
- More than 15 Pokémon movies, including major theatrical releases
Remembering a Legend
James Carter Cathcart wasn’t just a voice actor — he was a storyteller, a musician, and a cherished part of anime culture. His distinctive tones and emotional range helped define the voices of characters that many fans grew up with.
His legacy will live on through every “Prepare for trouble…” and “That’s right!” — iconic lines made unforgettable by the man behind them.