Rachael Lillis, the actor who provided the voices of multiple Pokémon characters in the cartoon series and films, including Misty, Jessie and Jigglypuff, has died at the age of 46.
Lillis was diagnosed with breast cancer in May and died on Saturday.
Her Pokémon co-star Veronica Taylor, who voiced the lead character Ash Ketchum in the English dub, announced Lillis’ death on social media “with a very heavy heart”.
“Rachael was an extraordinary talent, a bright light that shone through her voice whether speaking or singing,” Taylor wrote. “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 all the generous love and support that was given to her as she battled cancer. It truly made a positive difference.”
She added: “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. I am not sure how this very dark void will be filled now that her light no longer shines in it.”
Lillis’ sister Laurie Orr announced the death on a GoFundMe page that was set up to cover some of Lillis’ medical care, and had raised $98,000. “She passed peacefully Saturday night, without pain, and for that we are grateful,” Orr wrote, adding that the funds would go towards the remaining bills, a memorial service and cancer research.
Born in 1978 in New York, Lillis trained in opera before becoming a voice actor in the 1990s. She appeared in hundreds of TV shows, films and games. She voiced Misty, a gym leader who specialises in water-type creatures, in the English dub of the Pokémon anime in 1998. Misty was one of the show’s main characters, alongside the hero Ash, his Pikachu and a fellow gym leader, Brock.
Lillis also voiced the villain Jessie, one half of Team Rocket and several Pokémon creatures including Jigglypuff, Vulpix, Venonat and Goldeen. She appeared in 423 episodes of the Japanese cartoon, one of the biggest franchises of the 90s.
“We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Rachael Lillis,” a Pokémon Company International spokesperson said in a statement on Tuesday. “Her performance in the Pokémon animated series will be cherished by the many fans who grew up with the characters she brought to life with her special talent. She will be remembered for generations to come, and we will always keep her close in our hearts.”
Lillis also played characters in shows including Hunter x Hunter, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Winx Club, and voiced various Pokémon in the Super Smash Bros game series.