Pokémon series voice star Rachael Lillis dies at 46

Rachael Lillis, the voice actress known for her roles in the Pokémon TV series, films, and video games since the late 1990s, has passed away at the age of 46 after a battle with breast cancer.

Lillis voiced the main characters of Misty and Jessie and many more on the beloved Japanese animated series.

Veronica Taylor, Lillis’ co-star who voiced Ash in Pokémon’s popular television series, shared the news of Lillis’ death in a post on X on Monday. In a statement, Taylor said that Lillis died on the evening of August 10 after her battle with cancer. She was diagnosed with cancer in May, according to reports.

Lillis started her voice-acting career in the 1990s and went on to voice characters in TV shows, anime series, and video games. In addition to Misty and Jessie, Lillis also voiced Jigglypuff in Pokémon.

“We all know Rachael Lillis from the many wonderful roles she played,” Taylor said in the caption of her post. “She filled our Saturday mornings and before/after school hours with her beautiful voice, her terrific comic timing, and her remarkable acting skills.” Taylor said.

Taylor added that Lillis’ family thanks everyone as they take some time to grieve privately and that a memorial will be held at a later date.

Confirmation of Lillis’s Death and Support Efforts

Her sister also confirmed Lillis’s death on a GoFundMe set up earlier this year to raise money for her cancer treatment and to move her into a nursing home.

On Monday, Orr said in a post on the GoFundMe page that Lillis had started to decline over the past week. “This was unexpected, and we are completely grief-stricken,” Orr said. “We ask for peace, for now, as her family grieves this loss. My heart breaks losing my dear little sister, though I am comforted knowing she is free,” she said.

The page has raised more than $100,000 (£78,000), including donations made by fans since her death was announced, who said she had “gone too soon and much too young” and her “light shined bright” through her work.

Ms. Orr also said the funds would now go towards paying off remaining medical bills, a memorial service, and “efforts to combat cancer.”.

From Opera Training to Voice Acting

Lillis was born in Niagara Falls, New York, in 1978 and trained in opera at university before becoming a voice actor.

Her voice appeared on 423 episodes of Pokémon between 1997 and 2015, according to IMDB.

She also voiced Pokémon character Jigglypuff, including in the 2019 film Detective Pikachu and in the Super Smash Bros. video game series.

Fans Share Condolences on Social Media

Fans of the show expressed their condolences on social media, while others shared clips of their favorite moments featuring Lillis’ voice work.

“RIP Rachael Lillis. Gone far too soon,” one person posted on X, sharing photos of Lillis and some of the characters she voiced in Pokémon.

“An icon gone too soon. Rachael Lillis was responsible for so many happy Saturday mornings for so many kids, myself included,” voice actor Kaiji Von Tang posted on X. “We will always remember your voice.”

“So sad. She was one of the funniest, sweetest, and kindest people. My dear friend for so many years,” Eric Stuart, who worked with Lillis while voicing the character James in Pokémon, said in a post on X. “Celebrate her life by watching OG Pokemon, especially Team Rocket; she will always be my partner in comedic crime. RIP, my friend.”