'Pokemon' voice actor retires after 25 years following cancer diagnosis

Pokémon voice actor James Carter Cathcart has announced his retirement after 25 years due to throat cancer.

In his role as a voice actor for the animated series, 69-year-old Cathcart has voiced multiple Pokémon characters since the very first episode aired back in 1998. This has included Professor Oak and his grandson Gary, as well as Team Rocket's James and Meowth.

In January this year, Cathcart's wife Martha wrote a blog post on CaringBridge, where she revealed that he had developed a tumor on his tongue which subsequently spread to his neck.

Then, on Monday this week (April 17), Martha wrote that Cathcart would be retiring from his role due to the cancer, which was not responding to any treatments. She also revealed that he is set to undergo a more aggressive form of chemotherapy.

"On Easter Monday (April 10th), we learned that Jimmy's tumors didn't respond to the induction chemotherapy as much as was anticipated, and that a more aggressive chemo approach was necessary [...]

"A new round of scans is scheduled for Wednesday, April 19th, along with a second effort at the radiation mapping and simulation session - this time under general anesthesia - to make sure that everything that needs to be put in place, can be," Martha wrote in the post.

"In other news, 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 1st episode, so it is a timely decision as the series transitions to new characters and storylines," she continued.

"I (Martha) have likewise, decided to resign from my position as Associate Dean for the Brainspotting Concentration in Behavioural Health at International University for Graduate Studies [...] in order to be able to give better support to Jimmy through this season of life.

"We remain eternally grateful for your love, thoughts, comments, 'hearts,' prayers, and well-wishes," Martha's post concluded.

In addition to Pokémon, Cathcart has voiced characters in other anime and video games - including Weevil Underwood in Yu-Gi-Oh!, Sir Gallant in Kirby: Right Back at Ya!, Vector the Crocodile in Shadow the Hedgehog, and Roger Bacon in Shadow Hearts.

It has not yet been confirmed who will take his place following his retirement.

Featured image credit: Takatoshi Kurikawa / Alamy