James Carter Cathcart is retiring from Pokémon after voicing characters since 1998 (Picture: The Pokemon Company)
James Carter Cathcart has announced his retirement from voice acting.
He’s spent 25 years voicing the likes of James, Meowth, and others in the Pokémon anime series, but he’s now calling it a day following his cancer diagnosis.
The final episode in season 25 of Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series will be the last time fans hear his voice on the show, his wife has confirmed.
Martha Jacobi explained that her husband, 69, was first diagnosed with cancer in late January.
She says the cancer started at the base of his tongue before spreading to both sides of his tongue and lymph glands in his neck.
Unfortunately, his tumours haven’t responded to chemotherapy as expected, so more aggressive treatment is now required.
The actor has provided voices for anime for 25 years
His next round of treatment will begin in May.
Writing for CaringBridge about Cathcart ending his work on the show, she said: ‘Jimmy has decided to retire from script adapting and voice dubbing for Pokémon USA, effective at the conclusion of Season 25.
‘He has been with the series since the first episode, so it is a timely decision as the series transitions to new characters and storylines.
‘We remain eternally grateful for your love, thoughts, comments, hearts, prayers, and well-wishes.’
She added: ‘He has been with the series since the first episode, so it is a timely decision as the series transitions to new characters and storylines.’
Martha has also decided to resign from her own position as Associate Dean for the Brainspotting Concentration in Behavioural Health at International University for Graduate Studies, in order to ‘give better support’ to her husband ‘through this season of life.’
His voice will be extremely familiar to those who grew up with Pokémon (Picture: The Pokemon Company)
Cathcard voiced James and Meowth regularly (Picture: The Pokemon Company)
She wrote: ‘I’ll be continuing my psychotherapy practice and other consulting and teaching responsibilities as we venture further on this journey together.’
Cathcart has been providing multiple voices for anime since 1998.
He’ll likely be well known to those who grew up watching the Pokémon series, perhaps not by name, but his voice has provided great comfort to many.
The actor played the recurring roles of two members of Team Rocket, the flamboyant James and the special-speaking Meowth since the series began, both of whom have grown into beloved characters.
He’s also voiced characters such as Professor Oak and other Pokémon.
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As well as his work on the Pokémon series, Cathcart has provided voices for anime shows including Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters, and Kirby: Right Back at Ya!
He also voiced video games including Pokémon Snap, Shadow the Hedgehog, and Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
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He needs more aggressive treatment.