Rachael Lillis, Famed Voice of Pokemon's Misty, Jessie and Several Others, Passes Away at 55

Legendary Pokémon Voice Actress Rachael Lillis Passes Away at 55

The voice acting community and Pokémon fans worldwide are mourning the loss of Rachael Lillis, the talented actress behind iconic characters Misty and Jessie in the beloved Pokémon anime. Lillis passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 10th, 2024, at the age of 55, after a brave battle with breast cancer.

The sad news was shared by Lillis' sister, Laurie Orr, on their GoFundMe page. Orr expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from fans and friends, noting that Lillis was deeply touched by the kindness shown. The GoFundMe, established to assist with medical expenses, has already surpassed $100,000 in donations. Remaining funds will be used to cover medical bills, plan a memorial service, and support cancer research in Lillis’ memory.

Fellow voice actors have also paid tribute to Lillis. Veronica Taylor, the voice of Ash Ketchum, described Lillis as an extraordinary talent with a remarkable voice. Tara Sands, the voice of Bulbasaur, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting Lillis' compassion and the impact of the outpouring of love she received.

Fans are sharing their heartfelt memories online, remembering Lillis' contributions to their childhoods through her iconic Pokémon roles and other memorable performances such as Utena in "Revolutionary Girl Utena" and Natalie in "Ape Escape 2."

Lillis, born July 8, 1969, in Niagara Falls, New York, honed her vocal skills through opera training before launching a successful career in voice acting. Her impressive resume includes an astounding 423 Pokémon episodes (1997-2015), as well as voicing Jigglypuff in the Super Smash Bros. series and the 2019 film "Detective Pikachu."

A memorial service to celebrate Lillis' life is currently being planned, with details to be announced later. Her legacy as a beloved voice actress and kind person will continue to inspire.