Rachael Lillis, who voiced several Pokémon characters, including Misty and Jessie, died on Saturday (Pokémon / IMDb)
Voice actor Rachael Lillis, best known for her roles as Misty and Jessie in the Pokémon series, has passed away at the age of 55 after a battle with breast cancer. The news was shared by her co-star, Veronica Taylor, who voices Ash Ketchum, on Monday morning through a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Taylor paid tribute to Lillis, highlighting her significant impact on fans through her vibrant voice, impeccable comedic timing, and exceptional acting. "Rachael was an extraordinary talent whose voice, whether speaking or singing, was a bright light," Taylor said.
Lillis’s sister, Laurie Orr, also confirmed the news via a GoFundMe page created to help cover Lillis's medical expenses. Orr reassured supporters that Lillis is now at peace and free of pain. She expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from fans and acknowledged the profound effect Lillis had on so many lives. "My sister’s legacy in the anime world will endure," Orr noted.
The GoFundMe page, set up in May, has raised over $100,000 USD ($137,250 CAD), with many donations coming from fans who admired Lillis’s work. One supporter shared that Lillis’s portrayal of characters provided motivation and strength, while another thanked her for being a significant part of their childhood.
Orr stated that the funds will be used to cover any remaining medical costs, a memorial service, and to support breast cancer research in Lillis's name.
Born in Niagara Falls, New York, Lillis appeared in more than 400 episodes of Pokémon and voiced Jigglypuff in Nintendo’s Super Smash Brothers series. In 2013, she won a BTVA (Behind the Voice Actors) award for her role as Princess Charlotte in the anime film Berserk: The Golden Age Arc I – The Egg of the King. Her voice also featured in shows like Winx Club, Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures, Sonic X, Hunter x Hunter, and Your Lie in April.
