BELOVED Pokémon and Sonic voice actor James Carter Cathcart has died at the age of 71 after a years-long battle with throat cancer.
Cathcart — also known professionally as Jimmy Zoppi — passed away in hospice care in Forest Hills, New York, two years after his diagnosis.
His death was confirmed by a family member to TMZ.
The legendary voice actor was best known for bringing to life several fan-favorite Pokémon characters, including the iconic Team Rocket’s James, Meowth, Professor Oak, and Gary Oak.
is work became the soundtrack of childhoods around the world, his unmistakable voice embedded in the memories of millions.
Cathcart’s career extended into the Sonic the Hedgehog universe as well, where he voiced Vector the Crocodile in Sonic X and the Shadow the Hedgehog video game.
Despite undergoing aggressive chemotherapy, Cathcart’s condition worsened after initial treatments failed to take.
The battle forced him into retirement in 2023, shortly after wrapping up his final project: the English dub of Pokémon: Ultimate Journeys.
Tributes from the voice acting community have poured in since news of his passing broke.
Fellow Sonic star Erica Schroeder penned a moving message on social media.
She wrote: “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.
I kept my Pokémon cards that I bought for $35 – but I was floored when Antiques Roadshow told me they were worth $10,000
“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.”
Beyond his voice acting legacy, Cathcart had deep musical roots.
In the late 1970s, he released two albums with his band The Laughing Dogs, and since 1981, served as lead vocalist in The Carter Cathcart Band.
He also co-wrote “Remember Me” with Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley — a track featured on Frehley’s 1989 solo album Trouble Walkin’.
Cathcart made his mark across media platforms for decades.
He lent his voice to everything from ABC Weekend Special to commercials for KitKat and Coors Light.
It comes after the voice of Abuelita in Disney’s beloved film Coco has died at the age of 71 after a battle with cancer.
Beloved actress Renée Victor also found fame on the landmark show Weeds as tributes continue to pour in for the TV and film icon.
Victor died peacefully surrounded by her family at her Sherman Oaks home in California, her agency told Deadline.
Her cause of death was lymphoma – a form of cancer which targets the body’s immune system.
Her heartbroken daughters Raquel and Margo left a touching tribute to their mom which read: “Renee is perhaps best known as the voice of ‘Abuelita’ in Disney’s 2017 blockbuster Coco.
“Renee was loved by so many & had fans all over the world. Her memory will be cherished by all who knew her.”
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