Renowned Pokémon Voice Actress Rachael Lillis Dies at 55

Rachael Lillis, the beloved voice actress behind iconic Pokémon characters Misty and Jessie, passed away at 55 on August 10, 2024, following a battle with breast cancer. Her sister, Laurie Orr, shared the news on their GoFundMe page, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support from fans and friends.

The GoFundMe campaign, exceeding $100,000 in donations, will cover medical expenses, a memorial service, and support cancer research in Lillis's memory. Orr noted Lillis was deeply touched by the messages of support.

Fellow voice actors paid heartfelt tributes. Veronica Taylor, the voice of Ash Ketchum, lauded Lillis's extraordinary talent and kindness. Tara Sands, the voice of Bulbasaur, echoed the sentiment, expressing sadness at the loss of a wonderful person. Fans also shared their memories of Lillis's contributions to their childhoods, recalling her work in Revolutionary Girl Utena and Ape Escape 2, in addition to her extensive work on Pokémon.

Lillis, born July 8, 1969, in Niagara Falls, New York, honed her vocal skills through opera training. Her impressive voice acting career spanned numerous roles, including an unforgettable 423 episodes of Pokémon (1997-2015), Jigglypuff in the Super Smash Bros. series, and Natalie in Detective Pikachu (2019).

A memorial service is planned for a later date.