"Rachael Lillis, Voice of Pokemon Characters, Dies at 55"

Rachael Lillis, the beloved voice actress renowned for her iconic roles as Misty and Jessie in the Pokémon series, passed away at the age of 55 on August 10, 2024, following a valiant battle with breast cancer.

Tributes Pour in for Beloved Pokémon Voice Actress Rachael Lillis

Family, Fans, and Friends Mourn the Loss of Rachael Lillis

Rachael Lillis, who lent her voice to beloved Pokémon characters Misty and Jessie, passed away peacefully on August 10, 2024, at the age of 55 after battling breast cancer. Her sister, Laurie Orr, announced the heartbreaking news on their GoFundMe page on August 12, stating, "With a heavy heart, I regret to say that Rachael has passed away. She passed peacefully Saturday night, without pain, and for that we are grateful."

Orr expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of support from fans and friends, noting that Lillis was deeply moved by the messages of love on the GoFundMe page. Lillis cherished meeting fans at conventions and shared many heartwarming stories about these interactions. "My heart breaks losing my dear little sister, though I am comforted knowing that she is free," Orr added.

The GoFundMe campaign, which was set up to support Lillis during her illness, has raised over $100,000 from more than 2,700 donors. The remaining funds will be used to cover medical expenses, organize a memorial service, and support cancer-related causes in Lillis’ memory.

Veronica Taylor, who voiced Ash Ketchum in the initial seasons of the Pokémon anime, paid tribute to Lillis on Twitter(X), calling her "an extraordinary talent" whose voice "shone… whether speaking or singing." Taylor also highlighted Lillis' kindness and compassion, which remained unwavering until the end.

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

Fans across social media platforms shared their heartfelt tributes, remembering Lillis 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 talents through opera training during her college years before embarking on her voice acting career. Her IMDB page highlights her contribution to 423 episodes of Pokémon between 1997 and 2015, and she also voiced Jigglypuff in the Super Smash Bros. series and the 2019 film ‘Detective Pikachu’.

A memorial to celebrate her life is being planned for a future date, as announced by Veronica Taylor.