The American actress renowned for her work in the Pokémon TV series, films, and video games since the late 1990s, Rachael Lillis, has passed away at the age of 46 after a battle with breast cancer.
Lillis was celebrated for voicing iconic Pokémon characters such as Misty and Jessie, among others, in the beloved Japanese animated series.
Her death was confirmed by Veronica Taylor, who voiced Ash Ketchum in the Pokémon franchise.
Taylor paid tribute on social media, stating, “Rachael was an extraordinary talent, a bright light that shone through her voice whether speaking or singing.”
Taylor further reflected on Lillis’s impact, saying, “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.” She noted that Lillis deeply appreciated the support she received during her illness, which, according to Taylor, “truly made a positive difference.”
Lillis’s sister, Laurie Orr, also confirmed the actress’s passing on a fundraising site dedicated to Lillis’s cancer treatment.
“This was unexpected and we are completely grief-stricken,” Orr wrote, adding that her sister’s health had significantly worsened in the past week. “My heart breaks losing my dear little sister, though I am comforted knowing she is free,” Orr shared.
Born in Niagara Falls, New York, in 1978, Lillis initially trained in opera at university before embarking on a career in voice acting.
Over the years, she lent her voice to 423 episodes of Pokémon from 1997 to 2015. Her voice also featured as Jigglypuff in the 2019 film ‘Detective Pikachu’ and in the Super Smash Bros. video game series.
A memorial service for Lillis is currently being arranged, with details to be announced at a later date.
