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 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 from fans and friends, noting that Lillis was deeply touched by the kindness shown. The GoFundMe campaign, established to assist with medical expenses, has exceeded $100,000 in donations. Remaining funds will cover medical bills, memorial service arrangements, and support cancer-related charities in Lillis' memory.

"With a heavy heart, I regret to say that Rachael has passed away," Orr wrote. "She passed peacefully Saturday night, without pain, and for that we are grateful." Orr added, "My heart breaks losing my dear little sister, though I am comforted knowing that she is free."

Fellow voice actors have also shared heartfelt tributes. Veronica Taylor, the voice of Ash Ketchum, described Lillis as "an extraordinary talent" with a voice that "shone… whether speaking or singing," while Tara Sands, the voice of Bulbasaur, noted Lillis' deep appreciation for the outpouring of love and support.

Fans across social media are remembering Lillis' contributions to their childhoods, highlighting her memorable performances not only as Misty and Jessie, but also 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 career in voice acting. Her impressive resume includes 423 episodes of Pokémon (1997-2015), as well as voicing Jigglypuff in the Super Smash Bros. series and the 2019 film Detective Pikachu.

A memorial service to celebrate Lillis' life is currently being planned, with details to be announced at a later date.