Rachael Lillis, a prominent voice actress known for her roles in the Pokémon series, has passed away at the age of 46 following a battle with breast cancer. The news of her death was shared by Veronica Taylor, who voices Ash Ketchum in the franchise. Lillis was celebrated for her work as the voices of Misty and Jessie, among other characters, in the beloved Japanese animated series that has captivated audiences since the late 1990s.
Taylor took to social media to express her condolences, highlighting Lillis’s unique talent and the joy her voice brought to viewers during Saturday mornings and after-school hours. She noted Lillis’s gratitude for the support she received throughout her illness, which had a profoundly positive impact on her.
Lillis’s sister, Laurie Orr, confirmed the news of her death on a GoFundMe page established earlier this year to assist with Lillis’s cancer treatment and transition to a nursing home. Orr described the loss as unexpected and expressed deep sorrow over her sister’s passing, stating that her health had rapidly declined in the days leading up to her death.
The GoFundMe campaign has garnered over $100,000 in contributions, including donations from heartbroken fans who lamented her untimely passing and praised her vibrant spirit through her artistic contributions. The funds are now intended to cover outstanding medical expenses, memorial services, and cancer research efforts.
Born in Niagara Falls, New York, in 1978, Lillis trained in opera at university before stepping into voice acting. She is credited with her voice on 423 episodes of Pokémon from 1997 to 2015 and also lent her talents to characters like Jigglypuff, appearing in the 2019 film Detective Pikachu and the Super Smash Bros video game series.