by Hannah Lozada
James Carter Cathcart (also known by the names Jimmy Zoppi and Billy Beach) has unfortunately retired from voice acting because of throat cancer. Cathcart is famously known for voicing Pokemon characters including James and Meowth from Team Rocket, Professor Oak, and Gary Oak in the English anime dub. He’s also known in the Sonic community for being the voice of Vector the Crocodile in the Sonic X anime and the video-game Shadow the Hedgehog. He has shaped lots of people’s childhoods by providing voices for these iconic characters, among others.
Cathcart was diagnosed with throat cancer this year and he’s been going through multiple treatments since his diagnosis. However, these treatments have been sadly ineffective. Here’s an excerpt from an article by Cathcart’s wife, Martha Jacobi on the Caring Bridge website:
“[On Easter] we learned that Jimmy’s tumors didn’t respond to the induction chemotherapy…” Martha announced. She continued, stating that a future treatment in May will consist of “7 weeks of 5-days per week radiation therapy with simultaneous chemotherapy in weeks 1, 4, and 7…” Martha also says that she resigned from her job as the “Associate Dean for the Brainspotting Concentration in Behavioural Health at International University for Graduate Studies… to be able to give better support to Jimmy…”
Cathcart has decided to retire from script adapting and voice acting in order for his treatments to be effective. This will affect the shows, games, and his roles in several medias, but this decision is for the best. His family, friends, and fans are hoping for his safe recovery from his future treatments.
beniciapaw.com 