Rachael Lillis, the celebrated voice actress behind Pokémon's Misty and Jessie, among many others, passed away at age 55 after a courageous fight against breast cancer. The news was shared by her sister, Laurie Orr, on their GoFundMe page on August 12th, 2024.
Orr described Lillis' passing as peaceful and painless, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support from fans and friends. The GoFundMe campaign, exceeding $100,000 in donations, will cover medical expenses, a memorial service, and support cancer research in Lillis' memory. Lillis deeply valued her connection with fans, often recounting positive convention experiences.
Fellow voice actors paid heartfelt tributes. Veronica Taylor, the voice of Ash Ketchum, lauded Lillis' exceptional talent and kindness. Tara Sands, the voice of Bulbasaur, echoed the sentiment, noting Lillis' passing and the profound impact she had on others. Fans also shared their memories, highlighting her contributions to shows beyond Pokémon, including ‘Revolutionary Girl Utena’ and Ape Escape 2.
Lillis, born July 8, 1969, in Niagara Falls, New York, honed her vocal skills through opera training. Her extensive career included voicing characters in 423 Pokémon episodes (1997-2015), Jigglypuff in Super Smash Bros., and in the 2019 film ‘Detective Pikachu’.
A memorial service is planned for a later date. The loss of Rachael Lillis is deeply felt by the voice acting community and countless fans who cherished her memorable performances.
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