James Carter Cathcart, a celebrated voice actor recognized for his contributions to the Pokémon animated series, has passed away at the age of 71. The news was disclosed by his wife, Martha Jacobi, via Facebook. Cathcart, affectionately referred to as JCC, died peacefully in the morning on July 8, 2025, at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx. Jacobi expressed her appreciation for his fans, mentioning that bringing them happiness was his driving force throughout his career.

Cathcart’s career extended over 25 years, during which he became the voice behind many cherished characters. In the Pokémon series, he portrayed iconic figures like Ash’s rival Gary Oak, Professor Oak, Team Rocket’s James and Meowth, and even minor roles such as Snubbull in “Pokémon: Pikachu’s Vacation.” Outside of Pokémon, he contributed his voice to characters like Weevil Underwood in “Yu-Gi-Oh,” famously during the unforgettable scene where Weevil discards the five pieces of Exodia. He also voiced Vector the Crocodile in the “Sonic X” series during the early 2000s.

Cathcart is survived by his wife, Martha Jacobi, his daughters Nicole Zoppi and Mackenzie, and his son, Carter. Jacobi indicated that the funeral would be held in early August in New York, with memorial designations to be announced subsequently. The complete announcement can be found on Facebook.