Rachael Lillis, the beloved voice actress known for her roles in the Pokémon TV series, films, and video games since the late 1990s, has passed away at the age of 46 after a battle with breast cancer. Lillis was best known for voicing iconic characters such as Misty and Jessie, among many others, in the popular Japanese animated series.
Her passing was announced by Veronica Taylor, who co-starred with Lillis as the voice of Ash Ketchum, the lead character in Pokémon. Taylor paid tribute to Lillis, saying, "Rachael was an extraordinary talent, a bright light that shone through her voice whether speaking or singing."
On social media, Taylor expressed the impact Lillis had on fans, writing, "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." She also mentioned that Lillis was deeply appreciative of the support she received during her battle with cancer, stating, "It truly made a positive difference."
Lillis's sister, Laurie Orr, also confirmed her death on a GoFundMe page that had been set up earlier this year to raise funds for her cancer treatment and to help move her into a nursing home. Orr shared, This was unexpected and we are completely grief-stricken, noting that her sister's health had begun to decline rapidly the previous week.My heart breaks losing my dear little sister, though I am comforted knowing she is free, she added.
The GoFundMe page has raised over $100,000 (£78,000), with fans continuing to donate even after Lillis's passing, expressing their sorrow at her loss and remembering her as a bright light in the Pokémon franchise. The funds will now be used to cover remaining medical bills, a memorial service, and efforts to combat cancer.
Born in Niagara Falls, New York, in 1978, Lillis trained in opera before pursuing a career in voice acting. Her extensive work included 423 episodes of Pokémon between 1997 and 2015, according to IMDb. In addition to Misty and Jessie, Lillis also voiced the character Jigglypuff, including in the 2019 film *Detective Pikachu* and in the *Super Smash Bros* video game series.
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