James Carter Cathcart, the celebrated voice actor behind quite a few characters within the English-language Pokémon anime, has died on July 8 on the age of 71.
Cathcart, often known as Jimmy Zoppi, was greatest recognized for voicing collection rival Gary Oak, a job he started in 1998 and continued till his retirement in 2023, a span of roughly 25 years.
He first voiced Gary in Pokémon: The First Film in 1998 and went on to painting the character within the authentic TV collection. Through the years, he additionally lent his voice to Professor Oak, James of Crew Rocket, Meowth, and a number of other different characters, till retiring because of a throat most cancers analysis.
Along with Pokémon, Cathcart lent his vocal skills to characters like Vector the Crocodile in Sonic X and Chef Nagoya and Sir Gallant in Kirby: Proper Again at Ya!
His in depth physique of labor made him some of the versatile and enduring voices in English anime dubbing, and he was the one actor to seem in each season of the primary Pokémon anime till his retirement.
Cathcart’s passing was introduced through Instagram by voice actor Erica Schroeder, who wrote: “Relaxation in peace expensive candy man. 💔 I’ll miss you. The neighborhood will miss you. The world will miss you. Some of the joyful, exuberant, kind-hearted and proficient souls now not walks with us. James Carter Cathcart you have been considered one of a form, a mild, lovely, playful genius and I used to be comfortable to name you my pal.”
“Grasp of the pen, piano and microphone. Buddy to many. Loving father and husband. Thanks on your presents.”
Followers and anime aficionados have been devastated by the information, as many grew up with Cathcart’s work. Condolences poured in from across the web, expressing their admiration for his expertise, gratitude for the characters he delivered to life, and heartfelt sorrow on the lack of a voice that outlined a era of childhoods.
One fan on Instagram replied, “Relaxation in peace James, Meowth, Professor Oak, Lumis, Umbra, and Weevil. Thank u for the most effective childhood reminiscences I might have ever gotten 😭🥹❤️”
One other wrote: “Relaxation in peace, James. I by no means met him, however I’ll at all times recognize all the things he did. My deepest condolences to all his household and mates throughout this time.”
James Carter Cathcart, the voice of Gary Oak, James, Meowth, Professor Oak, and plenty of extra, has handed away.
He is not only a fantastic voice actor; he’s additionally a tremendous and type one who shall be remembered for generations to return.
Could he relaxation in peace. pic.twitter.com/t6KBDFHFim
— Out of Context Pokémon (@OoCPokemon) July 10, 2025
“Such a giant loss, an enormous a part of our childhoods, relaxation in peace,” wrote @SagaoVT on X (previously Twitter)
“RIP to an icon and his iconic voice!,” wrote @VibeItUpBenzo.
The information of Cathcart’s demise comes as a second blow to the Pokémon neighborhood, who misplaced one other authentic voice actor only a 12 months earlier when Rachael Lillis, the unique voice of Misty and Jessie, handed away in 2024 after a battle with breast most cancers.
He’s survived by his spouse, Martha, and daughter.