James Carter Cathcart, the talented voice actor known for his roles in the Pokémon anime series—including James, Meowth, Professor Oak, and Gary Oak—has sadly passed away at the age of 71. He died on July 8 after a courageous battle with throat cancer, which he was diagnosed with in 2023, leading him to retire from acting.
Cathcart began his journey with Pokémon as Fergus in Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back and became a regular on the show from the 2000s. His extensive work included beloved characters such as James and Meowth, among others.
In addition to Pokémon, Cathcart lent his voice to various roles, including Weevil Underwood in Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters and appearances in series like Kirby: Right Back at Ya!, One Piece, and Sonic X.
His co-star Erica Schroeder, who voiced characters like Nurse Joy and Wobbuffet, shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, expressing her sorrow at the loss of a “joyful, exuberant, kind-hearted and talented soul.” She described him as a “gentle, beautiful, playful genius” who will be missed by many.
Fans have been expressing their grief and paying tribute to Cathcart’s impactful legacy on social media.
In related Pokémon news, a collaboration with LEGO is set to launch next year, marking the 30th anniversary of the iconic video game series. The announcement promises exciting new play experiences for fans, both old and new.
