Pokemon Voice Actress Rachael Lillis Dies 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 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 from fans and friends, noting that Lillis was deeply touched by the kindness shown. She described Lillis' peaceful passing and cherished memories of fan interactions at conventions. "My heart breaks losing my dear little sister, though I am comforted knowing that she is free," Orr wrote.

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, memorial service arrangements, and support cancer-related charities in Lillis' memory.

Fellow voice actress and close friend, Veronica Taylor (known for voicing Ash Ketchum), shared a heartfelt tribute on Twitter (X), praising Lillis' extraordinary talent and kindness. Tara Sands (Bulbasaur's voice actress) also expressed condolences, highlighting Lillis' deep appreciation for the support she received.

Fans across social media shared their own tributes, remembering Lillis' significant contributions to their childhoods. Beyond her Pokémon roles, she was also celebrated for her work 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 during college before launching a successful voice acting career. Her IMDb page lists 423 Pokémon episodes (1997-2015), along with roles as 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.