"Rachael Lillis, Voice of Pokémon's Misty and Jessie, Dies at 55"

The voice acting community and Pokémon fans worldwide are mourning the loss of Rachael Lillis, who passed away at the age of 55 on August 10, 2024, after a valiant battle with breast cancer.

Tributes Pour in for Beloved Pokémon Voice Actress Rachael Lillis

Rachael Lillis, renowned for her iconic roles as Misty and Jessie in the Pokémon series, left an indelible mark on the hearts of fans everywhere. Her sister, Laurie Orr, announced her peaceful passing on a GoFundMe page on August 12, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support and love shown by fans and friends. "With a heavy heart, I regret to say that Rachael has passed away," Orr shared. "She passed peacefully Saturday night, without pain, and for that we are grateful."

Orr highlighted how deeply Lillis was touched by the kindness shown on the GoFundMe page, which brought her to tears. Lillis cherished her interactions with fans at conventions and treasured the memories of those encounters. "My heart breaks losing my dear little sister, though I am comforted knowing that she is free," Orr poignantly added.

The GoFundMe campaign, aimed at supporting Lillis during her battle with cancer, has raised over $100,000 from more than 2,700 donors. The remaining funds will be utilized to cover medical expenses, organize a memorial service, and support cancer-related initiatives in Lillis' honor.

Veronica Taylor, who voiced Ash Ketchum in the early seasons of the Pokémon anime, paid a heartfelt tribute to Lillis on Twitter(X), calling her "an extraordinary talent" whose voice "shone… whether speaking or singing." Taylor emphasized Lillis' kindness and compassion, which she maintained until the very end. "I was lucky enough to know Rachael as a friend," Taylor added.

Tara Sands, the voice behind Bulbasaur, also shared her condolences, noting that Lillis was profoundly moved by the love and support she received. "She is out of pain now," Sands wrote. "A wonderful person gone way too soon."

Fans across social media platforms expressed their grief and appreciation for Lillis' contributions to their childhoods. They fondly remembered her not only for her roles in Pokémon but also for her performances as Utena in ‘Revolutionary Girl Utena’ and Natalie in Ape Escape 2.

Born on July 8, 1969, in Niagara Falls, New York, Lillis honed her vocal skills through opera training in college before embarking on her successful voice acting career. Her IMDB page credits her with voicing characters in 423 episodes of Pokémon from 1997 to 2015, as well as Jigglypuff in the Super Smash Bros. series and the 2019 film ‘Detective Pikachu’.

Plans for a memorial to celebrate Lillis' life are underway, as announced by Veronica Taylor.