Pokémon voice actor, James Carter Cathcart, was sent home from the hospital amid his battle with cancer via an update from his wife, Martha, October 29, 2023. Martha’s new statement is a Positive and content:
A quick update for you all, with overall positive news!
Although it took nearly 14 days of IV targeted antibiotics for some decisions to be made – Jimmy remained in the hospital for the entire course of IV antibiotic treatment. It was long and tiring…he sometimes felt like participating in PT and sometimes less…
But finally, last Thursday, Jimmy was discharged from the hospital and returned home. VNS arrived Friday afternoon and we anticipate in-home PT/OT/”Speech & Swallowing” therapy services and some limited home health aide support once Jimmy moves home. Jimmy again walked independently (without a walker) around the apartment and gradually gained strength and weight.
Overall, our spirits were tired but good.
An appointment with a “head/neck” surgeon was initially scheduled for mid-November, to begin discussing when and how to reverse (remove) Jimmy’s tracheostomy. We hope that if Jimmy remains healthy over the next few weeks, there may be some movement towards a reversal – which would be a big step forward in his recovery.
The next PET scan is November 30, and we hope that the radiation oncologist’s optimism is as well-founded as he believes!
Of course, the laboratory work is being done for preventative purposes regarding Jimmy’s liver function, new infections, hemoglobin levels (which we already know are often associated with cancer and treatment process).
We take it one day – one moment – at a time… recovery can be uneven and arduous, so keep up the good thoughts, prayers, etc! We appreciate you all so much.
Martha & Jimmy




© Kazuki Takahashi, Shueisha・Yu-Gi-Oh! Production Committee
© TS / S・T・N Be-Papas・Chiho Saito / Shogakukan・Utena Production Committee Revolutionary Girl・TV Tokyo
James Carter Cathcart (also known as Jimmy Zoppi)’s health has declined after being diagnosed with terminal cancer in his tongue and throat area in January 2023, with the disease spreading further to his neck. Since his debut in 1981, Cathcart has voiced iconic characters for the English dub versions of many anime. He holds the role of Pokémon Professor Oak and his son Gary, James of Team Rocket and Meowth for decades, most recently took on his role in the finals Pokémon series with a core cast, Pokémon’s Ultimate Journey: The Series. Pokémon Horizon debuts with a new cast on April 14, 2023. Voices characters in Revolutionary girl Utenaas well as Weevil Underwood in Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel with monsters and more made Cathcart a mainstay in the anime industry until his retirement in 2023.
Source: CaringBridge
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