James Carter Cathcart

James Carter Cathcart
Cathcart in 2017
Born(1954-03-08)March 8, 1954
Michigan City, Indiana, U.S.
DiedJuly 8, 2025(2025-07-08) (aged 71)
New York City, U.S.
Other names
  • Billy Beach
  • Carter Cathcart
  • Nicole Cathcart
  • Jimmy Zoppe
  • Jimmy Zoppi
Occupations
  • Voice actor
  • script adaptor
  • voice director
  • pianist
  • vocalist
Years active1981–2023
SpouseMartha Jacobi
MotherLyn Wilde
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
Formerly ofThe Laughing Dogs

James Carter Cathcart (March 8, 1954 – July 8, 2025), also known as Jimmy Zoppi, was an American voice actor, script adaptor, voice director, pianist, and vocalist. He was best known for providing the English voices for Gary Oak, James, Meowth and Professor Oak in the Pokémon franchise.

Life and career

Cathcart was born in Michigan City, Indiana, on March 8, 1954. He played with bands from the time he was in high school, including The Laughing Dogs who released two albums on Columbia in 1979–80.

Cathcart began his voice acting career in the 1980s when he played the character Cap'n O. G. Readmore on the ABC Weekend Special anthology series. He was best known for his roles in the Pokémon franchise as characters such as Gary Oak, James, Meowth and Professor Oak. He appeared in over 15 Pokémon films and over 700 episodes of the Pokémon anime. He also acted in shows such as Sonic X, Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters, One Piece, Kirby: Right Back at Ya!, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Mission Odyssey and others. He also performed in the video game Shadow the Hedgehog.

Cathcart, who was married to Martha Jacobi, retired from voice acting in 2023 following a diagnosis of throat cancer. He died on July 8, 2025, while receiving hospice care at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx, New York City. He was 71. He had three children: Nicole, Mackenzie, and Carter.

References

  1. 1 2 BAAFゲスト. August 17, 2005. Archived from the original on August 17, 2005. Retrieved May 10, 2011.
  2. ↑ Shaikh, Nida (July 10, 2025). "James Carter Cathcart dies at 71: Anime voice actor's cause of death explored". Soap Central.
  3. ↑ "James Carter". CaringBridge. Archived from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Lyn Oberlink". Lakeview Funeral Home & Crematory. Archived from the original on February 15, 2025. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  5. 1 2 Walker, Mark (July 10, 2025). "James Carter Cathcart, Voice Behind Memorable 'Pokémon' Characters, Dies at 71". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 11, 2025. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  6. ↑ "The Laughing Dogs". Discogs. Archived from the original on January 28, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Pokémon voice actor James Carter Cathcart dies aged 71". The Independent. July 10, 2025. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  8. 1 2 Valentine, Rebekah (July 10, 2025). "James Carter Cathcart, the Voice of Pokémon's James, Meowth, Professor Oak, and More, Has Died". IGN. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  9. ↑ Moreau, Jordan (July 10, 2025). "James Carter Cathcart, 'Pokemon' Star Who Voiced Prof. Oak, Gary, Meowth and James, Dies at 71". Variety. Archived from the original on July 10, 2025. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Pokémon's Team Rocket, Professor Oak Voice Actor Retires Due To Cancer". Kotaku. April 19, 2023. Archived from the original on April 26, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  11. ↑ Moore, Julia (July 11, 2025). "Pokémon Voice Actor James Carter Cathcart Dies at 71". People. Retrieved July 11, 2025.