Any Pokémon fan knows the sound of Team Rocket’s James, the wise tone of Professor Oak, or Meowth’s signature sass. Behind them all? James Carter Cathcart — the voice actor who helped define the franchise for decades. His death was confirmed this week. He was 71.
On Thursday, July 10, Cathcart’s wife, Martha Jacobi, announced his passing in a statement shared via Facebook.
“JCC died, peacefully, very early in the morning, on Tuesday 7/8/25, at Calvary Hospital, in the Bronx,” she wrote. “The funeral will be in early August, In New York. Memorial designations are still in process… 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!”
Jacobi also noted that while she won't be replying to individual messages, condolences can be mailed to a PO Box in Forest Hills, NY.
Naturally, the reactions came flooding in.
“Growing up this man was pretty much a voice I heard almost every week on TV. Thanks for all the memories. Rest in peace, brother,” one person wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“RIP the legend,” another shared.
“He’s a goat ❤️,” chimed in a third.
“F*** man this one really hurts. I can’t even remember how many times I’ve heard his voice over the years I’ve been a Pokémon fan. The impact he had was massive. RIP king,” someone else added.
Fellow voice actor Erica Schroeder — best known for voicing iconic characters like Blaze the Cat in Sonic the Hedgehog, Monkey D. Luffy in the 4Kids One Piece dub, and numerous Pokémon roles (including Nurse Joy, Eevee, Bianca, Fantina and Wobbuffet) — also shared a heartfelt post on Instagram.
“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,” she wrote. “James Carter Cathcart you were one of a kind, a gentle, beautiful, playful genius and I was happy to call you my friend.”
Wrapping up her post, Schroeder said, “Master of the pen, piano and microphone. Friend to many. Loving father and husband. Thank you for your gifts 💔💔💔💔💔.”
Cathcart, also known by his stage name Jimmy Zoppi, voiced some of the most iconic characters in the English-language Pokémon anime for over two decades. Outside of Pokémon, he voiced Vector the Crocodile in Sonic X and Shadow the Hedgehog, plus roles in Kirby: Right Back at Ya! and Yu-Gi-Oh!.
The English dub veteran retired in 2023 after being diagnosed with advanced throat cancer. He completed his final recordings for the Pokémon: Ultimate Journeys before stepping away to begin treatment.
Cathcart is survived by his wife, Martha, and their daughter.
As one fan put it, “Rest in peace, good sir, and may we always remember your beloved voice.”