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

Rachael Lillis, the beloved voice actress known for her iconic portrayals of Misty and Jessie in the Pokémon anime, passed away at age 55 on Saturday, August 10, 2024, following a courageous battle with breast cancer.

Tributes Pour In for Beloved Pokémon Voice Actress Rachael Lillis

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

The news of Lillis' passing was shared by her sister, Laurie Orr, on their GoFundMe page on Monday, August 12th. Orr expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support received, noting that Lillis was deeply touched by the messages of love and remembrance from fans and friends. Lillis cherished her interactions with fans at conventions, often sharing heartwarming stories about these encounters. "My heart breaks losing my dear little sister, though I am comforted knowing that she is free," Orr shared.

The GoFundMe campaign, established to assist Lillis during her illness, exceeded $100,000 in donations from over 2,700 contributors. Remaining funds will cover medical expenses, a memorial service, and support cancer-related charities in Lillis' memory.

Fellow voice actress and close friend, Veronica Taylor (known for voicing Ash Ketchum), paid tribute on Twitter (X), describing Lillis as "an extraordinary talent" with a voice that "shone… whether speaking or singing." Taylor added, "I was lucky enough to know Rachael as a friend. She had unlimited kindness and compassion, even until the very end."

Tara Sands, the voice of Bulbasaur, also shared her condolences, highlighting Lillis' profound appreciation for the outpouring of support. "She is out of pain now," Sands wrote. "A wonderful person gone way too soon."

Fans across social media shared heartfelt tributes, remembering Lillis' significant contributions to their childhoods. Beyond her iconic Pokémon roles, she was also celebrated for her performances as Utena in Revolutionary Girl Utena and Natalie in Ape Escape 2.

Born July 8, 1969, in Niagara Falls, New York, Lillis honed her vocal skills through opera training in college before embarking on a successful voice acting career. Her IMDb page lists her involvement in 423 episodes of Pokémon between 1997 and 2015. She also voiced Jigglypuff in the Super Smash Bros. series and the 2019 film Detective Pikachu.

A memorial service to celebrate Lillis' life is planned for a future date, as announced by Veronica Taylor.