Rachael Lillis, the celebrated voice actress behind Pokémon's Misty and Jessie, passes away at 55 after a courageous battle with breast cancer.
A Wave of Grief for Beloved Pokémon Voice Actress
Family, Fans, and Friends Remember Rachael Lillis
The entertainment world mourns the loss of Rachael Lillis, whose iconic voice brought Misty and Jessie to life in the beloved Pokémon anime. Lillis passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at the age of 55. Her sister, Laurie Orr, shared the sad news via their GoFundMe page on Monday, August 12th.
Orr expressed immense gratitude for the overwhelming support from fans and friends, noting Lillis' emotional response to the kindness shown on the GoFundMe page. Lillis treasured her connections with fans, often recounting heartwarming memories from conventions.
"My heart breaks losing my dear sister," Orr shared, "but I find comfort knowing she's at peace."
The GoFundMe campaign, established to assist Lillis during her illness, surpassed $100,000 in donations from over 2,700 contributors. Remaining funds will cover medical expenses, a memorial service, and support cancer research initiatives in Lillis' honor.
Fellow voice actress and close friend, Veronica Taylor (Ash Ketchum's voice), paid tribute on Twitter (X), praising Lillis' "extraordinary talent" and her captivating voice. Tara Sands (Bulbasaur's voice) also offered condolences, highlighting the profound impact of the love and support Lillis received.
Fans worldwide shared heartfelt tributes, remembering Lillis' contributions to their childhoods through Pokémon, as well as her memorable roles in "Revolutionary Girl Utena" and "Ape Escape 2."
Born July 8, 1969, in Niagara Falls, New York, Lillis honed her vocal skills through opera training in college before launching a distinguished career in voice acting. Her IMDB page lists an impressive 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 is planned for a later date, as announced by Veronica Taylor.
