Rachael Lillis, the voice actress best known for her contributions to the Pokémon franchise, passed away on August 10, 2024, at the age of 46, following a battle with breast cancer, according to Kotaku. Lillis was an iconic part of the Pokémon franchise, having voiced the characters of Misty, Team Rocket’s Jessie, and many of the Pokémon, including fan-favorites Jigglypuff, Vulpex, and Gold. Veronica Taylor, the original voice of Ash Ketchum on Pokémon, shared the news of Lillis’ passing on social media. The full message can be read below:
“It is with a very heavy heart that I share the news of the passing of Rachael Lillis on Saturday evening, 10 August 2024. Rachael was an extraordinary talent, a bright light that shone through her voice whether speaking or singing. She will be forever remembered for the many animated roles she played, with her iconic performances as ‘Pokemon‘s’ Misty and Jessie being the most beloved. Rachael was so thankful for all the generous love and support that was given to her as she battled cancer. It truly made a positive difference. Her family also wishes to thank you as they take this time to grieve privately. A memorial is being planned for a future date.”
We all know Rachael Lillis from the many wonderful roles she played. She filled our Saturday mornings and before/after school hours with her beautiful voice, her terrific comic timing, and her remarkable acting skills. I was lucky enough to know Rachael as a friend. She had unlimited kindness and compassion, even until the very end. She had a great sense of humor, was wonderful to be with, incredibly intelligent, and had such a memory. She worked hard and cared deeply. I am not sure how this very dark void will be filled now that her light no longer shines in it. Like the shooting stars in the Perseids, Rachael was a magnificent wonder and truly special. She burned bright and vanished too soon. She will live on in our memories for eternity.
Lillis’ battle with cancer was first announced back in May 2024, and she had been in a nursing home since January 2024 as the cancer had spread to her spine. Fans rallied around her and raised over $96,000 on a GoFundMe that her sister, Laurie Orr, set up to pay for her medical bills and in-home care. Orr confirmed her sister’s passing on the GoFundMe page, announcing that she passed away “peacefully” and “without pain.”
A Pokémon Legend
Pokémon (1997)
- Release Date
- September 7, 1998
- Cast
- Veronica Taylor , Rachael Lillis , Eric Stuart , Ikue Ôtani , Rica Matsumoto
Rachael Lillis began voice acting in the 1990s, and while she has contributed to plenty of projects, including Sonic X, Winx Club, and Hunter x Hunter, she’ll be best remembered for Pokémon. Lillis was there from the beginning of the series, when it was first dubbed for English audiences. Not only did Lillis contribute to the Pokémon anime, but she also lent her voice to nine of the Pokémon films, including the theatrical trilogy of 1999’s Pokémon: The First Movie, 2000’s Pokémon 2000, and 2001’s Pokémon 3: Spell of Unknown.
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Lillis’ passing is a tragic one for Pokémon fans and the voice-acting community. Lillis transformed Misty, a character who was just the Water Gym boss in the video games, into a fan-favorite character. Her role as Jessie helped transform Team Rocket from a standard villain duo on Pokémon to a comedic powerhouse almost as beloved as the heroes themselvs. Her performances as various Pokémon, including Jigglypuf, are still used today in the popular Super Smash Bros. video games and Pokémon: Detective Pikachu. While she might be gone, her legacy will live on in the memories and hearts of fans who tuned in every Saturday morning to watch Pokémon. Lillis’ voicework reached an entire generation who will miss her.
Our thoughts go out to Rachael Lillis’ family and friends.
Rest in Peace. Rachael Lillis: July 8, 1978, to August 10, 2024.