Latest news with #voiceactor
Geek Girl Authority
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
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 . RELATED: 10 Women Who Voice Popular Male Characters 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. RELATED: Switch 2 Doesn't Fix Pokémon's Biggest Problem 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.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Pokemon star dead at 71: Legendary voice actor James Carter Cathcart played string of fan-favourite characters in show
BELOVED Pokémon and Sonic voice actor James Carter Cathcart has died at the age of 71 after a years-long battle with throat cancer. Cathcart — also known professionally as Jimmy Zoppi — passed away in hospice care in Forest Hills, New York, two years after his diagnosis. 2 His death was confirmed by a family member to TMZ. The legendary voice actor was best known for bringing to life several fan-favorite Pokémon characters, including the iconic Team Rocket's James, Meowth, Professor Oak, and Gary Oak. is work became the soundtrack of childhoods around the world, his unmistakable voice embedded in the memories of millions. Cathcart's career extended into the Sonic the Hedgehog universe as well, where he voiced Vector the Crocodile in Sonic X and the Shadow the Hedgehog video game. Despite undergoing aggressive chemotherapy, Cathcart's condition worsened after initial treatments failed to take. The battle forced him into retirement in 2023, shortly after wrapping up his final project: the English dub of Pokémon: Ultimate Journeys. Tributes from the voice acting community have poured in since news of his passing broke. Fellow Sonic star Erica Schroeder penned a moving message on social media. She wrote: '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. I kept my Pokémon cards that I bought for $35 - but I was floored when Antiques Roadshow told me they were worth $10,000 'James Carter Cathcart you were one of a kind, a gentle, beautiful, playful genius and I was happy to call you my friend. 'Master of the pen, piano and microphone. Friend to many. Loving father and husband. Thank you for your gifts.' Beyond his voice acting legacy, Cathcart had deep musical roots. In the late 1970s, he released two albums with his band The Laughing Dogs, and since 1981, served as lead vocalist in The Carter Cathcart Band. He also co-wrote 'Remember Me' with Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley — a track featured on Frehley's 1989 solo album Trouble Walkin'. Cathcart made his mark across media platforms for decades. He lent his voice to everything from ABC Weekend Special to commercials for KitKat and Coors Light. It comes after the voice of Abuelita in Disney's beloved film Coco has died at the age of 71 after a battle with cancer. Beloved actress Renée Victor also found fame on the landmark show Weeds as tributes continue to pour in for the TV and film icon. Victor died peacefully surrounded by her family at her Sherman Oaks home in California, her agency told Deadline. Her cause of death was lymphoma - a form of cancer which targets the body's immune system. Her heartbroken daughters Raquel and Margo left a touching tribute to their mom which read: 'Renee is perhaps best known as the voice of 'Abuelita' in Disney's 2017 blockbuster Coco. 'Renee was loved by so many & had fans all over the world. Her memory will be cherished by all who knew her.'
CNA
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNA
James Carter Cathcart, voice actor of Gary Oak in Pokemon, dies at age 71
American voice actor James Carter Cathcart has died at the age of 71. Cathcart was known for voicing multiple characters in the English-language dub of the Pokemon anime series. He voiced Gary Oak, the rival of protagonist Ash Ketchum, since day one and subsequently took over the roles of other iconic series characters, including Professor Oak and Team Rocket members James and Meowth. Cathcart's death was announced by his wife, Martha Jacobi, on Facebook. According to her, Cathcart died on Tuesday morning (Jul 8) in a hospital in New York City. Cathcart's funeral is set to take place in August, and Jacobi is currently in talks with "one of the charities that was close to [Cathcart's] heart" for memorial designations. "Thanks to all of Jimmy's fans over the years! Giving you joy was why he worked so hard on his craft. Please know how much he appreciated you!" wrote Jacobi. Cathcart's cause of death has not been revealed. It was previously reported that he retired in 2023 due to throat cancer.
New York Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
James Carter Cathcart, Voice Behind Memorable ‘Pokémon' Characters, Dies at 71
James Carter Cathcart, a voice actor who portrayed some of the most indelible characters in the 'Pokémon' franchise and became a familiar presence in several other popular animated series, died on Tuesday. He was 71. His wife, Martha Jacobi, confirmed in a social media post that he died at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx. His ex-wife, Jeanne Gari, said in an interview that the cause of his death was throat cancer. For more than two decades, Mr. Cathcart was the voice of several popular characters in the 'Pokémon' series and movies, including the genial Professor Oak, his grandson Gary, the antagonizing James and the wisecracking feline creature Meowth, one of the few Pokémon who could speak. Mr. Cathcart joined the cast of 'Pokémon' in 1998, just as the franchise exploded into a global craze. While many of the characters cycled in and out through the series's more than 1,000 episodes, his voice remained a steady presence. Mr. Cathcart also had roles in an array of other anime series, video games and animated shows, including 'Yu-Gi-Oh!,' 'One Piece' and 'Shadow the Hedgehog.' He retired from voice acting in 2023 after he was diagnosed with cancer. Mr. Cathcart appeared in more than 100 roles, according to the entertainment database IMDb, but his work in 'Pokémon' is his best known. The voice actors who also had roles in the 'Pokémon' universe acknowledged his death on social media. Erica Schroeder, who played Nurse Joy and the creature Wobbuffet, said: 'The community will miss you. The world will miss you.' James Carter Cathcart was born on Jan. 4, 1954, in West Long Branch, N.J., and graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan. He is survived by Ms. Jacobi; his daughters Nicole Zoppi, 41, and Mackenzie, 30; and his son, Carter, 31. Mr. Cathcart said in an interview in 2017 that he was grateful the 'Pokémon' franchise had continued to thrive and that he wanted to keep voicing the characters for as long as he could. 'Who could imagine 20 years ago that we would still be doing the show and it would be doing so well, but there's a new generation of kids that loves the Pokémon?' Mr. Cathcart said. Sheelagh McNeill contributed research.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Pokemon star James Carter Cathcart dead at 71 as heartbreaking tributes for voice actor pour in
A beloved Pokémon and Sonic voice actor had died aged 71 following a years-long battle with cancer. James Carter Cathcart, also known as Jimmy Zoppi, passed away in hospice care in Forest Hills, New York - two years after he was diagnosed with throat cancer, a family member told TMZ. On Pokémon he was the voice of characters including Professor Oak, Meowth, Gary Oak and James from Team Rocket. He voiced Vector the Crocodile in Sonic X and the Shadow the Hedgehog video game. Cathcart underwent aggressive chemotherapy after he didn't respond well to initial treatments. His cancer forced him to retire from voice acting after finishing his work the English dub of Pokémon: Ultimate Journeys. in 2023. Fellow Sonic icon Erica Schroeder paid heartbreaking tribute to Cathcart, writing: '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. 'Master of the pen, piano and microphone. Friend to many. 'Loving father and husband. Thank you for your gifts.' As well as voice acting, Cathcart released two albums in 1979-1980 with his band, The Laughing Dogs. He was also lead vocalist in the Carter Cathcart Band since 1981. He co-wrote the song Remember Me with Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley which featured on Frehley's 1989 solo album Trouble Walkin'. He also provided voiceover work for ABC Weekend Special. After that, Kit Kat and Coors Light.
