Summary
- Rachel Lillis, the English voice actress behind Misty and Jessie in the original Pokemon anime series, has passed away at 55 after battling breast cancer.
- Lillis also appeared in many popular video game titles, including Valkyrie Profile, Ape Escape 2, Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures, and Lego Jurassic World.
Rachael Lillis, the English voice actress of Misty and Jessie in the original Pokemon anime series, has sadly passed away from breast cancer at age 55. Lillis lent her voice to countless anime titles throughout her career, with some of her most beloved roles being in Pokemon from the start of the show until the English dub cast was changed in 2006. During that time, she would serve as the voice of various human characters and Pokemon alike, but her two most famous parts were of Ash’s longtime travel companion Misty, and Team Rocket’s resident schemer Jessie.
Back in May, Rachel Lillis announced that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, prompting a wave of support from her Pokemon castmates and fans who grew up watching her as Misty. A GoFundMe campaign was soon launched to help pay for her treatments, with Eric Stuart, the original Pokemon English voice actor for Brock and Team Rocket member James, and Tara Jayne Sands, the voice of Bulbasaur, being among the many who helped to promote the initiative.
Unfortunately, Rachel Lillis has passed away, as confirmed in a Twitter post by Veronica Taylor, the original voice actress for Pokemon lead Ash Ketchum. According to Taylor, Lillis died on August 10, 2024, after battling breast cancer for several months. She was 55 at the time of her passing, and Taylor would go on to describe Lillis as an “extraordinary talent” who was thankful for all the love and support she received during her cancer diagnosis and treatment. Taylor also stated that the late actress's family is sharing their thanks during this difficult time and a memorial service is currently being planned.
Pokemon Actress Rachel Lillis Has Passed Away
The comment section of Veronica Taylor’s post is filled with support and condolences from fans who grew up with Rachel Lillis, not only as Misty in Pokemon, but in a variety of other roles in anime and video games. In addition to reprising some of her Pokemon roles in games like Super Smash Bros. And Pokemon Puzzle League, Lillis also notably lent her talents to Valkyrie Profile, Ape Escape 2, Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures, and Lego Jurassic World.
Misty and Jessie were fan favorites throughout the original Pokemon anime, and a big part of that was likely due to Rachel Lillis’s incredible performances as both the snarky yet compassionate Cerulean City Gym Leader and half of the troublesome criminal duo that stood in Ash's way time and again. Her recent passing marks a sad day for Pokemon fans all around the world, with many sharing their own memories of the actress and what she meant to the community.
- Created by
- Satoshi Tajiri
Pokemon is a franchise that needs no introduction. One of the most successful media empires in history, Pokemon spans games, television, films, manga, merchandise, music, and more.