Rachael Lillis, voice actor of Pokémon’s Misty and Jessie, dies at 46

Rachael Lillis, known for voicing Misty and Jessie in Pokémon, passed away at 46 after battling breast cancer.

Rachael Lillis, the talented voice actress known for her iconic roles as Misty and Jessie in the English dub of Pokémon, passed away on August 10 at the age of 46 after a courageous battle with breast cancer. 

Lillis, whose voice acting career began in 1997, left a lasting impact on the anime community, with her work continuing to resonate with fans across generations.

The news of her passing was confirmed by Veronica Taylor, the original English voice of Ash Ketchum, who shared a touching tribute. "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," Taylor wrote.

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

Lillis’s career began after studying in Boston and New York City, where she trained in theatre before transitioning to voice acting. Over the years, she voiced characters in a variety of projects, including video games, audiobooks, and numerous anime series. Her work on Pokémon made her a household name, but she also contributed to other beloved series like Hunter x Hunter and Revolutionary Girl Utena.

RIP Rachael Lillis. Gone far too soon. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/BltojFGbfv

— Ace Trainer Liam (@AceTrainerLiam) August 12, 2024

Earlier this year, Lillis’s battle with cancer became public when her family launched a GoFundMe campaign to support her medical expenses. The campaign, which raised over $96,000, highlighted the severity of her illness, noting that cancer had spread to her spine, severely impacting her mobility.