James Carter Cathcart, a prolific voice actor whose credits included the Pokémon franchise and TV’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, died Tuesday, July 8, at Calvary Hospital in New York City after a battle with throat cancer. He was 71.
His death was announced in a Facebook post by his wife Martha Jacobi. “Thanks to all of Jimmy’s fans over the years!,” she wrote. “Giving you joy was why he worked so hard on his craft. Please know how much he appreciated you!”
Cathcart’s lengthy roster of voice credits include numerous Pokémon projects – more than 700 TV episodes, 15 movies, and numerous games – stretching back to Pokemon: The First Movie in 1998. Among his franchise characters were Professor Oak, Gary Oak, Team Rocket member James and his Pokemon sidekick Meowth.
Before retiring in 2023 following his throat cancer diagnosis, Cathcart, sometimes credited as Jimmy Zoppi, also voiced characters in Sonic X, Yu Gi Oh! Duel Masters, Aria: The Animation, Impy’s Island, The Three Musketeers, Little Bird’s Big Adventure and Mashed.
Prior to launching his voice acting career, Cathcart played the guitar and sang for the 1970s New York punk band The Laughing Dogs, a CBGB stalwart that toured with Patti Smith Group, Cheap Trick and Blondie. The band’s song “Get Outta My Way” is on the soundtrack of Randall Miller’s 2013 film CBGB.
“Rest in peace dear sweet man,” wrote his Pokémon co-star Erica Schroeder in an Instagram post. “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.”
According to his wife, a funeral service will be held in New York in early August.
