RIP Rachael Lillis, Voice of Pokemon’s Misty, Dies at 55

Pokemon voice actress Rachael Lillis, known in her later roles as Rachael McCabe, passed away on August 10, 2024, after a courageous three-month battle with cancer. Her sister Laurie Orr shared the news of her passing on GoFundMe, a platform initially set up following Lillis’ breast cancer diagnosis in May.

“With a heavy heart, I regret to say that Rachael has passed away. She passed peacefully Saturday night, without pain, and for that, we are grateful,” Orr shared in an update posted yesterday. “She is with God, the angels, and family that has passed before her, surrounded by infinite Love.”

Through the GoFundMe campaign, 142 people came together to donate a total of $100,316, surpassing the $100,000 goal set by the fundraiser.

From 1998 until 2006, Rachael Lillis lent her voice to the beloved Pokemon characters Misty and Jessie in the English dub of 4Kids’ Pokemon adaptation. She voiced these iconic characters for the first eight seasons of the series. Following her tenure, Michele Knotz took over the roles of Misty, May, and Jessie when The Pokemon Company assumed control of the animation series.

In addition to voicing human characters, Lillis also brought life to numerous Pokemon cries, including those of Vulpix, Goldeen, Torchic, Beautifly, Venonat, and, most notably, Jigglypuff. Her voice continues to be featured in recent dubbings through archival voice recordings.

“We all know Rachael Lillis from the many wonderful roles she played,” shared Pokemon co-star Veronica Taylor, who portrayed Ash Ketchum alongside Lillis. “She filled our Saturday mornings and before/after school hours with her beautiful voice, her terrific comic timing, and her remarkable acting skills.”

Rachael Lillis’ talent extended beyond the world of Pokemon. She was a prolific voice actress with credits in animated shows such as Berserk, Fate/stay night, The Slayers, Hunter x Hunter, Winx Club, and Your Lie in April.

Moreover, Lillis was a significant member of the production world, earning credits for script adaptation and translation on several television shows. Her contributions in these areas further showcased her versatility and commitment to the field of voice acting and production.