James Carter Cathcart, the veteran voice actor who for a quarter-century brought to life some of the Pokémon franchise’s best-known characters, has died at 71. His wife, Martha Jacobi, said he passed away on July 8 at Calvary Hospital in New York City after a battle with throat cancer. Working under his own name and the credit Jimmy Zoppi, Cathcart voiced Professor Oak, Gary Oak, Team Rocket member James and the Pokémon Meowth in more than 700 television episodes and 15 feature films before retiring in 2023 when his illness was diagnosed. Colleagues including fellow actor Erica Schroeder paid tribute to what she called his ‘joyful’ presence and versatility behind the microphone. Beyond Pokémon, Cathcart’s credits spanned popular series such as Sonic X, Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters and One Piece, and video games including Shadow the Hedgehog. A musician as well, he performed with the 1970s New York punk band the Laughing Dogs and later fronted the Carter Cathcart Band. The family plans a funeral service in New York in early August.