Renowned Pokémon Voice Actress Rachael Lillis Passes Away at 55
The voice acting community and Pokémon fans worldwide are mourning the loss of Rachael Lillis, the talented actress behind iconic characters Misty and Jessie in the popular anime series. Lillis passed away on August 10th, 2024, at the age of 55, following a brave battle with breast cancer.
Heartfelt Tributes Pour In
The news of Lillis' passing was shared by her sister, Laurie Orr, on their GoFundMe page. Orr expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from fans and friends, noting Lillis was deeply touched by the kindness shown. The GoFundMe campaign, established to assist with medical expenses, has already surpassed $100,000 in donations. Remaining funds will cover medical bills, a memorial service, and support cancer-related charities in Lillis' memory.
Fellow voice actors have also paid tribute. Veronica Taylor, the voice of Ash Ketchum, described Lillis as an extraordinary talent with a remarkable voice. Tara Sands, the voice of Bulbasaur, shared that Lillis found comfort in the love and support she received.
Fans across social media are sharing their memories of Lillis, celebrating her contributions to their childhoods through her memorable roles in Pokémon, as well as her performances in other notable anime such as ‘Revolutionary Girl Utena’ and ‘Ape Escape 2’.
A Legacy of Voice Acting
Born July 8, 1969, in Niagara Falls, New York, Lillis honed her vocal skills through opera training before launching her successful voice acting career. Her impressive resume includes an astounding 423 episodes of Pokémon (1997-2015), along with roles as Jigglypuff in the Super Smash Bros. series and the 2019 film ‘Detective Pikachu’.
A memorial service to celebrate Lillis' life is planned for a later date.
