Rachael Lillis, the talented voice actress known for her roles in the Pokémon series, has passed away at the age of 46 after a battle with breast cancer. Her death was confirmed by Veronica Taylor, who voices the iconic character Ash Ketchum.
Lillis was the voice behind beloved characters Misty and Jessie, contributing to the charm of the Pokémon franchise since the late 1990s. Taylor remembered Lillis as an extraordinary talent whose voice brought joy to many Saturday mornings and school hours, highlighting her impressive acting and comic skills.
Lillis showed gratitude for the support she received during her struggle with cancer, a sentiment echoed by Taylor who noted that this support had a positive impact on her.
In a heartfelt message, Lillis’ sister Laurie Orr shared the news of her passing on a GoFundMe page created to assist with medical expenses and her transition to a nursing home. Orr expressed her grief and mentioned that Lillis’s health had sharply declined the week prior.
The fundraising campaign has garnered over $100,000, with fans contributing to honor Lillis’s memory, stating that she left too soon but that her legacy will endure.
Born in Niagara Falls, New York, in 1978, Lillis trained in opera before becoming a voice actor. She contributed her voice to 423 episodes of Pokémon from 1997 to 2015 and voiced Jigglypuff, also appearing in the 2019 film Detective Pikachu and the Super Smash Bros. video game series.