James Carter Cathcart was the voice of Pokemon for many fans growing up. With his recent passing at the age of 71, fans are remembering the characters he made unforgettable. Here are all the Pokemon characters he voiced.
Pokemon characters that James Carter Cathcart voiced listed
Cathcart joined the Pokemon series in 1998, just as the franchise skyrocketed in popularity. His versatile voice brought life to several key characters, including:
James
James Carter Cathcart stepped into the shoes of his namesake, aka Team Rocket’s ever-dramatic, surprisingly tender villain, in the 2000s and never looked back. Whether scheming or crying over a lost Pokemon, James, in Cathcart’s voice, became far more than a cartoon antagonist; he became a fan favorite.
Meowth
Another major role Cathcart took on was Meowth, the wisecracking, talking Pokémon who accompanied James and Jessie in Team Rocket. Meowth was one of the few Pokémon who could speak human language fluently, making him a standout character.
Professor Oak & Gary Oak
In a shift from villains and comic relief, James Carter Cathcart also voiced the kind-hearted Professor Oak and his confident grandson, Gary Oak, in Pokemon. These two characters played crucial roles in Ash’s journey.
Other roles: Fergus, Snubbull, and Todd Snap
James Carter Cathcart’s Pokemon journey actually began with Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back, where he voiced Fergus, a minor but memorable character. He also voiced the Pokemon Snubbull in the short film Pikachu’s Vacation, and played Todd Snap, the photographer, in Pokemon Snap and later anime episodes.
Cathcart stepped away from voice acting in 2023 following a throat cancer diagnosis. His wife confirmed his passing in July 2025. Beyond Pokemon, he was the voice behind Weevil Underwood in Yu-Gi-Oh!, and worked on titles like One Piece, Kirby: Right Back at Ya!, and Shadow the Hedgehog. But it’s his work in Pokémon, voicing both heroes and villains, that left the biggest mark.
