James Carter Cathcart

James Carter Cathcart
Born (1954-03-08) March 8, 1954 (age 70)
Other names
  • Billy Beach
  • Carter Cathcart
  • Nicole Cathcart
  • Jimmy Zoppe
  • Jimmy Zoppi[1]
Occupation(s)Voice actor, script adaptor, voice director, pianist, vocalist
Years active1981–2023
SpouseMartha Jacobi[2]
Musical career
Genres
Instruments

James Carter Cathcart (born March 8, 1954), also known as Jimmy Zoppi, is an American retired voice actor, script adaptor, voice director, pianist and vocalist known for providing the English voice for James, Meowth and Professor Oak in the Pokémon franchise between 2005 and 2023.

Career

Cathcart has been playing with bands since high school, including The Laughing Dogs who released two albums on Columbia in 1979-80[3] and has been the vocalist of the Carter Cathcart Band since 1981. Cathcart also co-wrote the song "Remember Me" with Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley that ended up on Frehley's 1989 solo album Trouble Walkin'.

Cathcart's first voiceover part was O.G. Readmore on the ABC Weekend Special. After that, he recorded voice overs for Kit Kat candy bars, Good Humor, Coors Light, and others. Cathcart later auditioned in voice acting and has since become known for a prolific amount of anime dub voice work for Central Park Media, Media Blasters, DuArt Film and Video, TAJ Productions, NYAV Post and 4Kids Entertainment.

Cathcart retired from voice acting in 2023 due to an advanced form of throat cancer.[4]

Filmography

Animated film

Year Title Role Notes
1996 Gall Force Exanon
1997 Art of Fighting Ryuhaku Todoh
1998 Pokémon: The First Movie Fergus
2001 Adolescence of Utena Miki Kaoru
2006 Impy's Island Barnaby, Monty, Small Sheik Credited as Billy Beach & Jimmy Zoppi[5]
2007 Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea James, Meowth, Swellow ADR script adaptor
2008 Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai James, Meowth, Turtwig, Godey
2009 Pokémon: Giratina & the Sky Warrior James, Meowth, Turtwig
Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life James, Meowth, Grotle
2010 Animals United Vulture 2 Credited as Billy Beach[5]
2011 Pokémon: Zoroark: Master of Illusions James, Meowth
Pokémon the Movie: Black—Victini and Reshiram and White—Victini and Zekrom ADR script adaptor
2012 Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice
2013 Pokémon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened
2014 Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction
2015 Pokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages
2016 Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel ADR script adaptor
2017 Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! Professor Oak, James, Meowth
2018 Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us James, Meowth
2019 Tall Tales from the Magical Garden of Antoon Krings Daddy Boom, Incognito
2020 Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution James, Meowth, Fergus, Dewgong
2021 Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle James, Meowth

Animation

Year Title Role Notes
1993 The Twelve Days of Christmas Silverbell's Messenger TV movie
2001 Cubix Mong, Cerebrix
2002–2003 Mission Odyssey Diomedes, Additional voices
2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Raz, Sleeg 3 episodes

Anime

Year Title Role Notes
1996 Here Is Greenwood Masato Ikeda, Mr. Ikeda Credited as Jimmy Zoppe[5]
Grappler Baki: The Ultimate Fighter Baki Hanma, Mitsunari Tokugawa
1996–2001 The Slayers Prince Philionel El Di Seyruun, Dilgear, Vrumugan, Demia, Additional voices
1997 Battle Arena Toshinden Fo Fai
1998 Revolutionary Girl Utena Miki Kaoru, Suzuki, Tanaka, Yamada Credited as Jimmy Zoppi[5]
1998–2023 Pokémon Gary Oak, James, Meowth, Professor Oak ADR script adaptor
2001 The Ping Pong Club Maeno
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Weevil Underwood, Lumis
2002 Maetel Legend Jam
Ultimate Muscle Kid Muscle’s Grandpa
Kirby: Right Back at Ya! Sir Gallant, Chef Nagoya
Fighting Foodons Cinnamonkey
2004–2006 Sonic X Vector the Crocodile
2004 The World of Narue Masaki Maruo, Mr. Iizuka
Seven of Seven Mayor
One Piece Butchie 4Kids dub
Gokusen Principal Gonzou Shirakawa
Shura no Mon Munenori Yagyu
2005 Tokyo Mew Mew Cyniclons Tarb
2018–2020 Aria Udo Ayanokohji the 51st

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
2005 Shadow the Hedgehog Grouped under English Character Voices[6]

Production credits

Voice director

  • Bride of Darkness

References

  1. ^ a b "BAAFゲスト". 2005-08-17. Archived from the original on August 17, 2005. Retrieved 2011-05-10.
  2. ^ "James Carter". CaringBridge. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  3. ^ "The Laughing Dogs". Discogs. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
  4. ^ "Pokémon's Team Rocket, Professor Oak Voice Actor Retires Due To Cancer". Kotaku. 2023-04-19. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  5. ^ a b c d "James Carter Cathcart (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  6. ^ Sega Studio USA. Shadow the Hedgehog. Sega. Scene: Closing credits, 1:42 in, English Character Voices.