Rachael Lillis, Voice of Misty in Pokémon, Dies at 46

Rachael Lillis, the voice actor known for her roles in the Pokémon series, has passed away at the age of 46. Lillis, who voices beloved characters such as Misty, Jessie, and Jigglypuff, was diagnosed with breast cancer this May and died this past Saturday.

The news was shared by her Pokémon co-star Veronica Taylor, who voiced the series’ protagonist, Ash Ketchum. Taylor expressed her sorrow on social media, stating, “Rachael was an extraordinary talent, a bright light that shone through her voice whether speaking or singing. She will be forever remembered for the many animated roles she played, with her iconic performances as Pokémon’s Misty and Jessie being the most beloved.”

Taylor further reflected on Lillis’ last days, acknowledging the love and support Lillis received during her cancer battle. “Rachael was so thankful for all the generous love and support that was given to her as she battled cancer. It truly made a positive difference,” she wrote. Taylor also reminisced about their friendship, saying, “I was lucky enough to know Rachael as a friend. She had unlimited kindness and compassion, even until the very end. She had a great sense of humor, was wonderful to be with, incredibly intelligent, and had such a memory. She worked hard and cared deeply. I am not sure how this very dark void will be filled now that her light no longer shines in it.”

Lillis’ sister, Laurie Orr, announced her passing on a GoFundMe page that had been created to help cover medical expenses. The fundraiser reached $98,000. Orr wrote on the page, “She passed peacefully Saturday night, without pain, and for that we are grateful.” Orr mentioned that the funds would be used to cover remaining bills, a memorial service, and cancer research.

Born in 1978 in New York, Rachael Lillis initially trained in opera before transitioning to a career as a voice actor in the 1990s. Over the years, she lent her voice to hundreds of TV shows, films, and video games. In 1998, she took on the role of Misty in the English dub of the Pokémon anime, a character known for her specialization in water-type Pokémon. Misty quickly became one of the show’s main characters alongside Ash, Pikachu, and Brock.

Lillis also voiced the villainous Jessie, one half of the iconic Team Rocket duo, as well as various Pokémon such as Jigglypuff, Vulpix, Venonat, and Goldeen. She participated in a total of 423 episodes of the Pokémon series, a landmark franchise of the 90s.

Pokémon Company International expressed their condolences in a statement released on Tuesday, saying, “We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Rachael Lillis. 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.”

In addition to her work in Pokémon, Lillis voiced characters in various other shows, including “Hunter x Hunter,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” and “Winx Club.” She also contributed her voice to different characters in the “Super Smash Bros” game series.