Jul 11
Pokémon’s Team Rocket Queer Icon James Carter Cathcart Dies at 71
READ TIME: 2 MIN.
A Voice That Defined an Era
James Carter Cathcart, whose exuberant performances as Team Rocket’s James in Pokémon enchanted fans around the world and inspired LGBTQ+ audiences, died on July 8, 2025, at Calvary Hospital in New York following a long struggle with throat cancer. He was 71, and his passing was confirmed by his wife, Martha Jacobi, who shared that Cathcart had retired from voice acting in 2023 due to his diagnosis .
Cathcart’s career in animation stretched across more than four decades, but it was his work on Pokémon—particularly as the flamboyant, quick-witted James of Team Rocket—that cemented his legacy. His voice brought James to life from the Pokémon anime’s 1997 debut through more than 700 episodes and at least 15 feature films. He also voiced other major characters, including Professor Oak, Gary Oak, and the mischievous Meowth .
Team Rocket’s James: An Unlikely Queer Icon
For many LGBTQ+ viewers, the character of James stood out as a beacon of joyous camp and subversive gender play in mainstream children’s media. Cathcart’s performance, characterized by comedic flamboyance and heartfelt sincerity, resonated with queer fans who saw themselves reflected in his unapologetic theatricality. James, with his penchant for cross-dressing and dramatic antics, became a symbol of gender fluidity and self-acceptance at a time when such representation was rare in Western animation .
Over the years, LGBTQ+ fans have celebrated Team Rocket—and James in particular—as cultural touchstones. The enduring popularity of the character at Pride events and through community tributes speaks to the power of Cathcart’s performance in sparking conversations about gender norms and queer identity .
A Career Beyond Pokémon
While best known for his work on Pokémon, Cathcart’s influence extended across the animation and gaming industries. He voiced Vector the Crocodile in Sonic X and Shadow the Hedgehog, Weevil Underwood and Lumis in Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters, and contributed to One Piece, Kirby: Right Back at Ya!, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and more. His talents were not limited to performance; he also served as the primary script adapter for the English Pokémon dub for 17 years, shaping the show’s tone and dialogue during a period of unprecedented global growth .
Fellow voice actor Erica Schroeder remembered Cathcart as “one of the most joyful, exuberant, kind-hearted and talented souls … a gentle, beautiful, playful genius … master of the pen, piano and microphone” .
A Lasting Legacy for LGBTQ+ Fans
Cathcart’s passing has sparked an outpouring of grief and celebration from fans, colleagues, and LGBTQ+ communities. Social media platforms have been flooded with tributes, fan art, and stories about how his work helped countless viewers feel seen and affirmed. For many, James stood as a rare example of queerness—playful, caring, and defiantly different—in a landscape often lacking authentic representation.
As the Pokémon franchise continues to evolve, the indelible mark left by Cathcart’s voice remains. His legacy is not just in the laughter and memories he gave to millions, but in the doors he helped open for more inclusive storytelling in animation. As fans around the world remember him, Cathcart’s iconic voice will continue to echo in the hearts of those who saw themselves reflected in Team Rocket’s most daring—and most beloved—member.
