James Carter Cathcart, who voiced Meowth, James, and more, passes away from throat cancer
James Carter Cathcart, the voice actor who brought to life several prominent Pokémon characters such as Meowth, James, Professor Oak, Gary, and more, has passed away at the age of 71 due to throat cancer.
The tragic news was announced by his wife Martha Jacobi on her Facebook account.
"My beloved husband, James Carter Cathcart (aka Jimmy Zoppi, Billy Beach, and Carter Cathcart), passed away on July 8, 2025, surrounded by the people who loved him most," she said.
Recalling Cathcart's early life, Jacobi shared that he was a child prodigy with an affinity for music, having honed his talent at the internationally acclaimed Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan.
"At Interlochen, Jimmy won highest honors in both classical and jazz piano. Upon graduating from Interlochen, Jimmy focused his music on jazz, rock, and pop," Jacobi said.
Cathcart went on to have an exciting music career as he performed for bands such as New Heavenly Blue before becoming a founding member of The Laughing Dogs band.
"Jimmy’s musical talent was also expressed in award-winning songwriting and arranging. He was the principal writer for the John Tesh and James Ingram song Give me forever (I do), many original songs, and arrangements covering others’ work, recorded through his own production company, Wild Twin Records," Jacobi said.
"Jimmy’s signature tunes include the original theme song for Hello Kitty! It was this work that, in part, led him into voice acting," she continued.
Cathcart began his career in voice acting when he played the character Cap'n O. G. Readmore on the ABC Weekend Special anthology series in the 1980s.
He eventually landed more prominent roles in the Pokémon franchise as Gary Oak, James, Meowth, and Professor Oak. During this stint, he appeared in over 15 Pokémon films and over 700 episodes of the anime
He debuted in Pokémon: The First Movie in 1998, and his final appearance was in Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle in 2020.
Jacobi highlighted that being a voice actor was "a career that [Cathcart] treasured, with much laughter and some tears while working, and a fan base that motivated him to give his all in his work."
"Our family would like to thank you all for the outpouring of love and support that we have experienced during his various [illnesses] over the last several years, and especially since his terminal diagnosis in January of this year. Every post we have seen from those who love and admire Jimmy/Carter has meant more to us than we could possibly express," she ended.
Cathcart's Pokemon co-star Erica Schroeder, who voiced Nurse Joy, Wobbuffet and more characters, also penned a heartfelt tribute to him on Instagram as she called him a "loving father and husband" and a "friend to many."
"Rest in peace dear sweet man. I will miss you. The community will miss you. The world will miss you. One of the most joyful, exuberant, kind-hearted and talented souls no longer walks with us. James Carter Cathcart you were one of a kind, a gentle, beautiful, playful genius and I was happy to call you my friend," Schroeder wrote.
Cathcart lent his voice to other shows such as Sonic X, Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters, One Piece, Kirby: Right Back at Ya!, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Mission Odyssey, and more.
