Rachael Lillis, the celebrated voice actress behind iconic Pokémon characters Misty and Jessie, passed away at 55 on August 10, 2024, after a courageous battle with breast cancer. Her sister, Laurie Orr, shared the sad news on their GoFundMe page, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support from fans and friends.
The GoFundMe campaign, exceeding $100,000 in donations, will cover medical expenses, a memorial service, and support cancer research in Lillis's memory. Orr noted Lillis was deeply touched by the messages of support.
Fellow voice actors paid tribute, including Veronica Taylor (Ash Ketchum), who described Lillis as an extraordinary talent with boundless kindness. Tara Sands (Bulbasaur) also shared condolences, highlighting the profound impact of the outpouring of love Lillis received. Fans across social media mourned the loss of the actress who brought joy to their childhoods, remembering her roles in Revolutionary Girl Utena and Ape Escape 2, in addition to her extensive work on Pokémon.
Born in Niagara Falls, New York, Lillis honed her vocal skills through opera training before launching her successful voice acting career. Her impressive resume includes 423 Pokémon episodes (1997-2015), Super Smash Bros., and the 2019 film Detective Pikachu.
A memorial service is planned for a later date.
