Pokemon Voice Actress Rachael Lillis Who Voiced Misty and Jessie, Dies at 46

Rachael Lillis, a prominent voice actress known for her work in the Pokemon franchise, dies at the age of 46 due to breast cancer. Lillis played a key role in the English-language adaptation of the popular Japanese animated series, films, and video games.

Over her career, Lillis voiced several iconic Pokémon characters, including Misty and Jessie, as well as the Pokémon Jigglypuff. Her contributions to the franchise spanned 423 episodes between 1997 and 2015, according to IMDB. She also lent her voice to the 2019 film “Detective Pikachu” and the Super Smash Bros video game series.

Veronica Taylor, Lillis’s co-star who voices the lead character Ash Ketchum in the Pokémon series, announced Lillis’s death. Taylor praised Lillis as “an extraordinary talent” and highlighted her “beautiful voice, terrific comic timing, and remarkable acting skills.” Born in Niagara Falls, New York, in 1978, Lillis trained in opera at university before transitioning to voice acting. Her sister, Laurie Orr, confirmed the passing on an online fundraising site for Lillis’s cancer treatment, describing the death as unexpected and expressing deep grief.

Throughout her illness, Lillis received support from fans and colleagues, which Taylor noted had made “a positive difference” in her life. A memorial service for the late voice actress is being planned for a future date.

We all know Rachael Lillis from the many wonderful roles she played. She filled our Saturday mornings and before/after school hours with her beautiful voice, her terrific comic timing, and her remarkable acting skills. #RachaelLillis pic.twitter.com/XOjFqY0C1L

— Veronica Taylor (@TheVeronicaT) August 12, 2024

Fans mourn as the Pokemon voice actress dies with the recent death marking a significant loss for the Pokemon community and the voice acting industry, leaving behind a legacy that spans decades of beloved performances.

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