Rachael Lillis, the renowned voice actress best known for her roles in the Pokémon series, has passed away at the age of 46 following a courageous battle with breast cancer. Lillis’s passing was confirmed by her sister and publicly acknowledged by her colleagues in the entertainment industry.
Lillis, who first made her mark in the late 1990s, was celebrated for her iconic portrayal of Misty and Jessie, among other beloved characters, in the Pokémon franchise. Her distinctive voice and talent left a lasting impression on fans of the Japanese animated series, as well as on various Pokémon films and video games.
Veronica Taylor, who voiced Pokémon’s lead character Ash Ketchum, expressed her sorrow on social media, describing Lillis as “an extraordinary talent” whose voice brought light and joy to many. Taylor fondly remembered Lillis’s contributions to the series, noting how her performances enriched Saturday mornings and after-school hours for countless fans.
In her tribute, Taylor emphasized the positive impact of the support Lillis received during her illness, stating that it “truly made a positive difference.”
Laurie Orr, Lillis’s sister, also confirmed the news on an online fundraising site that had been set up for Lillis’s cancer treatment. Orr expressed profound grief, sharing that her sister’s health had deteriorated unexpectedly in the past week. “My heart breaks losing my dear little sister, though I am comforted knowing she is free,” Orr wrote.
Born in Niagara Falls, New York, in 1978, Lillis pursued opera training at university before transitioning to voice acting. Her remarkable career included voicing characters in 423 episodes of Pokémon from 1997 to 2015, as well as roles in the 2019 film Detective Pikachu and the Super Smash Bros video game series.
A memorial service for Rachael Lillis is currently being planned.