Rachael Lillis, the celebrated voice actress behind iconic Pokémon characters Misty and Jessie, passed away at age 55 on August 10, 2024, after a courageous battle with breast cancer. Her sister, Laurie Orr, shared the sad news on their GoFundMe page, 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.
Fellow voice actors shared heartfelt tributes. Veronica Taylor, the voice of Ash Ketchum, lauded Lillis' extraordinary talent and kindness. Tara Sands, the voice of Bulbasaur, echoed the sentiment, noting Lillis' profound appreciation for the outpouring of love. Fans also mourned the loss of the actress who voiced many beloved characters, including Utena in ‘Revolutionary Girl Utena’ and Natalie in Ape Escape 2.
Lillis, born July 8, 1969, in Niagara Falls, New York, honed her vocal skills through opera training. Her extensive voice acting career included an impressive 423 Pokémon episodes (1997-2015), as well as voicing Jigglypuff in Super Smash Bros. and the 2019 film ‘Detective Pikachu’. A memorial service is planned for a later date.
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