Voice actor, Billy Kametz, known for his work on Pokémon Journeys: The Series, has tragically died aged just thirty-five.
Despite being best known for his voice work on Pokémon, Kametz also voiced Naofumi Iwatani in the anime, The Rising of the Shield Hero, as well as many more of our favorite characters.
His death has come as a shock to thousands of fans who loved his work, many have taken to social media to share their tributes to the star…
One fan wrote on Twitter: “We love you @BillyKametz
We are so lucky to have had you, if even for a short while. May you keep smiling wherever you are, your characters will continue to do so for you. Rest easy.”
One fan and friend of Kametz also took to Twitter, writing: “@BillyKametz, you were an amazing person who brightened the lives of everyone you met. We’ll do our best to carry on your spirit and hold you tight in our hearts. Your passing is an unbearable darkness, but your memory, unbreakable, cuts through it nonetheless. Rest in peace.”
The tragic news was first announced on Twitter by his agency Point of Contact Booking, which wrote: “With tremendous and heartbroken regret, we must inform you of the passing of @BillyKametz.”
In the post, they linked Kametz’s obituary and urged people to take a look at the voice actors’ past accomplishments within the industry, in which he brought some of our favorite anime and video game characters to life.
His obituary stated: “His love for his work as an actor and unforgettable voice will continue to entertain fans and always be remembered. Billy was always most gracious towards all of his fans and appreciated the opportunity to do something he loved so much each day.”
It also highlighted his love for those closest to him: “His infectious personality and smile always lit up a room with so much joy and happiness. Billy always left a positive impression on anyone he came in contact with.
“His love for his family, friends, and girlfriend was always most important to him and that love will carry on forever.”
Before his death, he was reportedly “blown away by the very large outpouring of support and love he received” after his diagnosis of cancer. Kametz died on Thursday, June 9 after a long battle with stage IV colon cancer.
Kametz’s family made it known that if fans want to make any donations, they can be made in Billy’s name to the Colon Cancer Coalition.
You can also donate to his GoFundMe, which has been set up to help pay for his funeral.
Rest in peace, Billy Kametz.