Rachael Lillis, who provided the English-language voices of beloved Pokémon animated series characters Misty and Jessie, as well as Jigglypuff, has died at age 55 following a breast cancer diagnosis earlier this year. News of her passing on August 10 in Los Angeles was shared by The New York Times and by Pokémon co-star Veronica Taylor, the longtime voice of Ash Ketchum, who shared the following statement on X:
“It is with a very heavy heart that I share the news of the passing of Rachael Lillis on Saturday evening, 10 August 2024.
Rachael was an extraordinary talent, a bright light that shone through her voice whether speaking or singing. She will be forever remembered for the many animated roles she played, with her iconic performances as ‘Pokémon’s’ Misty and Jessie being the most beloved.
Rachael was so thankful for all the generous love and support that was given to her as she battled cancer. It truly made a positive difference. Her family also wishes to thank you as they take this time to grieve privately. A memorial is being planned for a future date.”
Taylor added in the thread that Lillis “filled our Saturday mornings and before/after school hours with her beautiful voice, her terrific comic timing and her remarkable acting skills.” And speaking as a friend, “She had unlimited kindness and compassion, even until the very end. She had a great sense of humor, was wonderful to be with, incredibly intelligent and had such a memory. She worked hard and cared deeply.”
Lilis provided the dub voice of Misty from the first episode of Pokémon in 1998 through to 2006, when the show began being localized by Pokémon USA and the cast was changed. She also performed as Misty in several of the Pokémon movies and vocalized for different species of the pocket monsters, including Vulpix, Goldeen and Jigglypuff, whom she also voiced for the video game title Super Smash Bros.
Born in Niagara Falls, New York on July 8, 1969, Lillis attended Smith College in the premed program, then studied voice acting in Boston and moved to New York City in the mid-1990s, where she performed in live theater and independent films as well as recording for animated series.
Outside of the Pokémon universe, Lillis provided voices for a number of popular anime franchises, including Berserk (Princess Charlotte), Hunter X Hunter (Mito and Cocco), Your Lie in April (Ryoko), Boogiepop Phantom (Nagi and Manaka), multiple characters in The Slayers / Slayers Next and the title role in Revolutionary Girl Utena. Lillis’ voice can also be heard in Sonic X as Danny, the 2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as Tomoe and in the original Winx Club series as Headmistress Faragonda.
Lillis is survived by her sister, Laurie Orr.
[Sources: New York Times, Variety, Eurogamer]
