“Pokémon” voice actor Billy Kametz has died just weeks after announcing his diagnosis of terminal colon cancer

Billy Kametz died a few weeks after being diagnosed with terminal colon cancer.
The voice actor’s death was announced on his GoFundMe page, which was set up in April to cover medical expenses, travel and insurance, where he told fans at the time that he was “doing well” despite undergoing chemotherapy and radiation to his spine in the fourth stage of the disease.
Page organizer A Jinnie McManus said in an update posted on Sunday (12.06.22): “This is not the update I wanted to write. Billy left us earlier this week.”
It continued about the 35-year-old “Pokémon” voice actor, who, as the post revealed, died on Thursday (09.06.22): “Anyone who has met Billy Kametz will tell you that he is one of the warmest, kindest, most genuine people on this earth.
“He laughs quickly and with his infectious smile, he brings joy to everyone around him – be it a room full of friends and family, fans at conventions … or the nurses and doctors who cared for him in the hospital.
“Most importantly, you know how much you all were appreciated and how much strength you gave him. Billy and I regularly exchanged thoughts of disbelief and happiness about the generosity you showed him.”
The star’s close friend who penned the post added to his followers: “I miss my friend terribly. But I take comfort in knowing that his legacy lives on through his work and all the fans who are just discovering what an extraordinary man he was.”
Kametz – known as the voice actor of Ren in “Pokémon Journeys” – had said on YouTube that he tried to maintain hope during his battle with cancer.
He said he viewed his diagnosis as a “freak of nature,” adding: “I’m staying really positive, and that’s the main reason I wanted to make this video.”
“I just want to let you guys know that I have so much support, I’m surrounded by so much positivity… I just want to let you guys know that I’m not going to give up, I’m not going to stop fighting and I’m going to get through this.”
Kametz is survived by his sister Nikki Kametz Lees, his brother-in-law Greg, his nephews Cash and Jaxon, his uncle Peter Sartori, his uncle Tom Kametz, his aunt Barbara Trimble and his girlfriend Erica Lindbeck.
He landed the role of Aladdin in Disneyland’s Musical Spectacular before voicing Josuke Higashikata in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable, Naofumi Iwatani in The Rising of the Shield Hero, Ferdinand von Aegir in Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Colt in Brawl Stars, and Takuto Maruki in Persona 5 Royal.