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RIP James Carter Cathcart, Longtime POKÉMON Voice Actor
Last week, we received the heartbreaking announcement that longtime Pokémon voice actor James Carter Cathcart passed away at the age of 71 on July 8, 2025. Fans knew him best as the English voice of Gary Oak. He picked up the subsequent roles of Team Rocket's James and Meowth, as well as Professor Oak, following the departure of several original actors and the passing of Maddie Blaustein (Meowth) in 2008.
Credited under a handful of names — including Carter Cathcart, Billy Beach, Jimmy Zoppi and more — some might be surprised to learn that Cathcart was also the voice behind characters like Fergus, the fiercely confident Water-type Trainer from Pokémon: The First Movie and its 2019 remake Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back – Evolution. The actor voiced several Pokémon throughout the TV and video game series, to boot. (Remember the Snubbull from the Pikachu's Vacation short in The First Movie ? Yeah, that was him, too.) POKÉMON: THE FIRST MOVIE – MEWTWO STRIKES BACK. Photo courtesy of Pokémon TV.
But Cathcart's work went beyond the world of Pokémon . He famously voiced Weevil Underwood in Yu-Gi-Oh! and Vector the Crocodile from Sonic X. His voice can also be heard in a long list of video games and animated series, including One Piece .
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To say the actor played a major role in childhoods everywhere is an understatement. Like the characters he brought to life, Cathcart is beloved by fans and will be sorely missed by those who grew up hearing his voice every Saturday morning. Or, in the case of younger fans, anytime a new season of Pokémon dropped on Netflix. A Voice of a Generation POKÉMON THE SERIES: BLACK AND WHITE Season 14 Episode 6, 'Dreams by the Yard Full.' Photo courtesy of Tubi.
James Carter Cathcart was a part of Pokémon for most of its ongoing run, spanning nearly three decades. He'd already been attached to a string of voice acting gigs prior to his Pokémon debut. However, he'd go on to reprise the roles of Gary, Professor Oak, James and Meowth through 2023. And let's not forget the countless Pokémon he voiced in games like Pokémon Snap, Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Pokémon Masters over the years.
Like many '90s kids, I was also a Pokémon kid. I'm still a massive fan today. When I look back on decades spent watching the animated series and playing through every game I could get my hands on, Cathcart's voice is among the easiest to recall. James and Meowth (and Gary, if you're asking 10-year-old me) were the bad guys, for all intents and purposes. But it's tough to separate Team Rocket and Ash's first rival from our protagonists.
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Team Rocket was there, episode after episode, season after season, always hatching a new scheme to steal Pikachu or make a quick buck. Oftentimes, their ill-advised plans would take them to the same place as Ash and his friends. Like the time they all wound up inside a mansion 'haunted' by a lonely Espurr in Pokémon XY , just as scared as the 'twerps' right there with them. There's no shortage of episodes that show us a more sympathetic side to Team Rocket's most famous trio. Sometimes, we even find ourselves rooting for them during the rare moments in which they side with our heroes. Thank You, James Carter Cathcart POKÉMON THE SERIES: BLACK AND WHITE Season 14 Episode 27, 'The Dragon Master's Path.' Photo courtesy of Tubi.
There's no removing James Carter Cathcart from these unforgettable journeys. In a big way, he made them what they were. Who could ever forget a talking Meowth (with a Brooklyn accent, no less)? As the journey continues, it only makes sense to thank Cathcart for his talent, versatility and the countless memories he's given fans of Pokémon and the many other series in which his voice can be heard. It's time for a re-watch.
Pokémon: The First Movie is now streaming for free on the official Pokémon TV YouTube channel. You can also find the original animated series and Pokémon the Series: XY on Netflix.
Anime Roundup: Everything Coming Out in July 2025 (Part 1) Olivia Rolls (she/her) is a weekly contributor at GGA, specializing in cozy games, anime and all things horror. Her byline has appeared at publications like The Mary Sue, The Escapist, GameSkinny and more. When she's not writing deep dives on her favorite games, shows, movies or characters, she's probably yapping about the latest pop culture trends or catching up on another Pokémon playthrough.
E-mail professional inquiries to [email protected]. You can also find Olivia on Bluesky and LinkedIn.
