Pokémonfans received some bad news this morning, as it was revealed that the modern voice of Team Rocket’s James and Meowth, James Carter Cathcart, has passed away. The voice actor’s death was reported on Instagram by fellowPokémonvoice actor Erica Schroeder.
James Carter Cathcart took over the roles of James, Meowth, Professor Oak, and Gary Oak, among others, when thePokémonvoice actors were recast in 2006, during theRuby and Sapphireera. He provided the voice for these characters and more from that point to the end of Ash’s journey, playing the characters for nearly 17 years.
The Voice of James and Meowth Has Passed Away
James Carter Cathcart Passed Away from Throat Cancer
The news was broken onInstagramthis morning by Erica Schroeder, revealing that Cathcart had passed away at age 71 on July 05, 2025. According toTMZ, Cathcart’s cause of death was throat cancer, which he had battled with since 2023. This meant that he retired from voicing acting shortly after finishingPokémon’s final dubbed episodes.
Alongside her post, Schroeder shared a heartfelt tribute to her late friend.
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. 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.
Aside from his iconicPokémonroles, Cathcart was also known for voicing Vector the Crocodile in theSonic Xanime series, Weevil Underwood inYu-Gi-Oh!, and Dilgear and Vrumugun in the classic fantasy animeSlayers. Erica Schroeder’s heartfelt message praised him as “one of a kind, a gentle, beautiful, playful genius.”
Cathcart is the Latest Pokémon Voice Actor to Pass from Cancer
Rachel Lillis, the Original voice of Jessie and Misty, Passed in 2024
It’s been rough forPokémonvoice actors in recent years, as the original voice actor for Jessie and Misty,Rachel Lillis, passed away from breast cancer in 2024. Cathcart’s predecessor asMeowth, Maddie Blaustein, passed in 2008,leaving neither of Meowth’s most prominent voice actors alive, should the character ever return.
Cathcart leaves behind a massive body of work that has been incredibly influential on children and fans around the globe, and his performances as Meowth and James were nothing short of classic. At least Cathcart was able to bid farewell to his long-time role before passing, and fans will always be able to revisit his performances.
Cathcart is survived by his wife, Martha Jacobi, who revealed the news of his passing to close friends.Pokémonfans around the world are left to mourn the loss of another talented voice actor to tragic circumstances.
