Voice of Pokémon’s Misty and Jessie, Rachael Lillis, dies age 46

Sadly, Rachael Lillis, known for voicing both Misty and Jessie in the Pokémon anime, has passed away at the age of 46 following a fight against breast cancer. On X, Veronica Taylor, her fellow voice actor, shared the news that Lillis departed this world on August 10.

Statement pays tribute to “extraordinary talent” Rachael Lillis

The statement shared by Veronica Taylor, who voiced Ash in the Pokémon anime, read as follows:

With deep sadness, I announce that Rachael Lillis passed away on the evening of August 10, 2024.

Rachael had an exceptional gift, shining brilliantly in both her speech and song. Her memory lives on through the numerous vibrant characters she portrayed, especially her memorable roles as Misty and Jessie from Pokémon, which remain fondly cherished by many.

Rachel deeply appreciated the selfless kindness and encouragement she received during her struggle with cancer. It undeniably had a profoundly positive impact on her. Her loved ones also extend their gratitude to you, asking for privacy as they mourn. A memorial event will be arranged at a later time.

With love, Veronica

In May 2024, it became known that Lillis had been diagnosed with advanced breast cancer. By this time, the cancer had progressed to her spine, and she had been residing in a nursing home since January. Upon hearing this news, there was an overwhelming show of sympathy for the voice actor from Pokémon fans worldwide, resulting in numerous donations to her GoFundMe page. The initial target of $20,000 was surpassed within just 24 hours. This collected money would not only cover Lillis’ medical expenses but also contribute towards a memorial service and initiatives aimed at combating cancer in her honor.

I’m thrilled to share that the GoFundMe campaign we started has nearly reached $100,000! After the sad news of her passing spread, contributions have been streaming in again at an incredible pace. Rachael’s sister, Laurie, mentioned that when the fund was initially launched, Rachael was deeply touched by the overwhelming support shown through donations.

Over the span of her acting career, Lillis lent her voice to numerous Pokémon characters within the anime series. Among them were Jessie, Misty, Vulpix, Jigglypuff, Venonat, Goldeen, Torchic, and Beautifly. Spanning a total of 423 episodes, she appeared in an impressive number of them, making her debut back in 1997, with her most recent appearance taking place in 2015.

Apart from her involvement with Pokémon, Lillis boasts a total of 127 acting credits on IMDb, with roles in shows such as Lego Jurassic World, Hunter x Hunter, and Winx Club, among others.