Pokémon VA Rachael Lillis passes away at 55, following a battle with breast cancer.
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Pokemon Voice Actor Rachael Lillis Dies at 55
Tributes Pour to Beloved Pokémon VA Rachael Lillis
Family, Fans, Friends Mourn Rachael Lillis
Rachael Lillis, the iconic voice behind beloved Pokémon characters Misty and Jessie, passed away on Saturday, August 10, 2024, after a courageous battle with breast cancer. She was 55.
Lillis’ sister, Laurie Orr, shared the heartbreaking news on their GoFundMe page on Monday, August 12. "With a heavy heart, I regret to say that Rachael has passed away," Orr wrote. "She passed peacefully Saturday night, without pain, and for that we are grateful."
Orr expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of love and support from fans and friends alike, noting that Lillis was "moved to tears when seeing the GoFundMe page" filled with kind messages. The actress cherished the memories of meeting fans at conventions and often shared heartwarming stories about their interactions, according to Orr.
"My heart breaks losing my dear little sister, though I am comforted knowing that she is free," Orr added.
The GoFundMe campaign created to support Lillis during her battle with cancer has raised over $100,000 from more than 2,700 generous donors. Orr shared that the remaining funds will be used to cover medical expenses, organize a memorial service, and support cancer-related causes in Lillis’ memory.
Lillis’ close friend and fellow voice actress, Veronica Taylor—who voiced Ash Ketchum in the first few seasons of the Pokémon anime series—, paid tribute to her on Twitter(X), describing her as "an extraordinary talent" with a voice that "shone… whether speaking or singing."
"I was lucky enough to know Rachael as a friend," Taylor added. "She had unlimited kindness and compassion, even until the very end."
Tara Sands, the voice of Bulbasaur, also expressed her condolences, sharing that Lillis was deeply touched by the love and support she received. "She is out of pain now," Sands wrote. "A wonderful person gone way too soon."
Even fans took to social media to share their heartfelt tributes, remembering Lillis as a beloved voice actress who enriched their childhoods. Beyond her iconic roles in Pokémon, they fondly recalled her performances as Utena in ‘Revolutionary Girl Utena’ and Natalie in Ape Escape 2.
Born on July 8, 1969, in Niagara Falls, New York, Lillis developed her vocal talents through opera training during her college years before embarking on a successful voice acting career. According to Lillis' IMDB page, her remarkable voice graced 423 episodes of Pokémon between 1997 and 2015, and she also brought the character Jigglypuff to life in the Super Smash Bros. series and the 2019 film ‘Detective Pikachu’.
A memorial to celebrate her life is being planned for a future date, as announced by Veronica Taylor.
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