‘Pokémon’ Voice Actress Rachael Lillis Dies at 55

Rachael Lillis, a beloved voice actress known for her roles as Misty and Jessie in the English-language version of the “Pokémon” TV series, passed away on Saturday at the age of 55. Lillis, who resided in Los Angeles, was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year. Her death was confirmed via social media on Monday by Veronica Taylor, a fellow “Pokémon” voice actor.

“I was lucky enough to know Rachael as a friend. She had unlimited kindness and compassion, even until the very end,” Taylor, who voiced Ash Ketchum, wrote. “She had a great sense of humor, was wonderful to be around, incredibly intelligent, and had such a memory for moments, real or animated. She worked hard and cared deeply.”

In expressing the grief felt by many, Taylor added, “I am not sure how this very dark void will be filled now that her light no longer shines in it.”

The Pokémon Company International also expressed their condolences in a statement, noting, “Her performance in the Pokémon animated series will be cherished by the many fans who grew up with the characters she brought to life with her special talent. She will be remembered for generations to come, and we will always keep her close in our hearts.”

Initially, several media outlets reported Lillis’ age as 46. However, The New York Times, after speaking with Lillis’ sister Laurie Orr, confirmed that her birth date was July 8, 1969.

Lillis was born in Niagara Falls, New York, and originally intended to pursue a career in medicine. She attended Smith College in Massachusetts but eventually shifted her focus to voice acting. She began her voice-acting career in the 1980s and gained significant recognition in the 1990s with her role in the “Pokémon” TV series, which is adapted from the Pokémon video games.

Throughout her career, Lillis also voiced various other anime characters, including Catty in “Gall Force” and Utena Tenjô in “Revolutionary Girl Utena.” Her most recent credited role was in the animated series “Ollie & Scoops” in 2019.