Pokemon fans come together in mourning over the loss of longtime Misty voice actress Rachael Lillis.
Pokemon's Misty Voice Actress Rachael Lillis Passes Away
Pokemon actress Veronica Taylor (who voices Ash Ketchum) announced to fans that voice actress Rachael Lillis tragically passed away at the age of 46 in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
This came after an extended and difficult battle with breast cancer.
Lillis is best known for her work playing Ash's friend Misty — a role she for 28 years between 1997 and 2015.
Taylor shared the following message on X, calling Lillis "an extraordinary talent" and "a bright light" who will be remembered for all of the roles she played.
She noted how thankful Lillis was for "the generous love and support" shown by fans through her cancer battle, which "truly made a positive difference:"
"It is with a very heavy heart that I share the news on 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 Pokemon’s Misty and Jessie being the most beloved.
Rachael was so thankful for 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.
With love,
Veronica."
Along with her eulogy, Taylor reflected on how Lillis was a staple of Saturday mornings and kids' time before and after school thanks to "her beautiful voice, her terrific comic timing, and her remarkable acting skills:"
"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."
Calling Lillis a friend, Taylor gave her credit for having "unlimited kindness and compassion" throughout her life, highlighting her sense of humor and her work ethic as well:
"I was lucky enough to know Rachael 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."
Closing off her X posts, Taylor expressed uncertainty about how to fill the void left by her colleague and close friend. She gave Lillis the highest of praise while admitting she "vanished too soon" and will live on in fans' and friends' memories forever:
"I am not sure how this very dark void will be filled now that her light no longer shines in it. Like the shooting stars in the Perseids, Rachael was a magnificent wonder and truly special. She burned bright and vanished too soon. She will live on in our memories for eternity."
Outside of her core role as Misty, Lillis played dozens of different voice roles for Pokemon across her nearly three decades of work. This included Team Rocket’s Jessie, one of the show’s biggest antagonists.
She also voiced about 30 of the series' iconic Pokemon creatures, including Jigglypuff, Wigglytuff, Vulpix, Chansey, and Ditto.
News of Lillis' cancer diagnosis first went public in May 2024 when Pokemon co-star Eric Stuart shared a link to a GoFundMe page on X to support her medical bills.
He admitted how difficult it was to share this news, asking fans for any help they could provide with her cancer battle:
"This is not easy news to share. I have been friends with Rachael for over 25 years. Most people may know us as the silly villains Jessie and James from Team Rocket or Misty and Brock from Pokemon. Please give what you can. Fu*k cancer."
Laurie Orr, the GoFundMe page's organizer, shared her own message on the page following Lillis' death, noting how the week prior was when "she was starting to decline:"
"Hello everyone,
With a heavy heart, I regret to say that Rachael has passed away. She passed peacefully Saturday night, without pain, and for that we are grateful.
She is with God, the angels, and family that has passed before her, surrounded by infinite Love.Unfortunately, regrettably, I was not with her, it was just this past week that she was starting to decline. This was unexpected and we are completely grief-stricken.
We ask for peace, for now, as her family grieves this loss."
Orr described Lillis as "a beautiful, smart, talented person with a kind heart." She further shared Lillis' sentiment about the response to her cancer diagnosis being similar to the kindness shown in the classic 1946 holiday movie It's a Wonderful Life:
"Rachael ('Rae' as we called her) was a beautiful, smart, talented person with a kind heart who was so moved by all of you! (I would forward emails and comments to her, just in case she missed any!)
She likened the response to this fund to the movie, 'It’s A Wonderful Life,' when George is surprised to learn just how much he is loved by his friends, and how much they Do care!
She was moved to tears when seeing the GFM page with your comments & kind thoughts."
She remembered many of you that she happily met at conventions, for instance, and related stories to us about the experience and all the people she appreciated meeting!
Any further money received by the fund will now go towards paying off Lillis' medical bills, a memorial service, and causes she supported to battle cancer:
"All of us have been so moved by the responses from all of You!
Funds donated for Rachael will go to any medical bills remaining, a memorial service for her, and causes in her name-specifically toward efforts to combat cancer.
My heart breaks losing my dear little sister, though I am comforted knowing she is free.
God Bless you All- with Love, Health, and Peace, Laurie"
The Direct sends its deepest condolences to Rachael Lillis' family, her friends, her colleagues, and the entire Pokemon community during this difficult time.
