Yahoo News Pokémon star Rachael Lillis dies aged 55
Pokémon star Rachael Lillis has died aged 55 after a battle with breast cancer, with her family confirming the news.
Lillis joined the anime franchise in 1999 for Pokémon: The First Movie , voicing several characters – namely Misty/Kasumi, Jessie and Jigglypuff/Purin – across various different films, series and video games.
It was announced in May that the voice actor, who also starred in Hunter x Hunter, was diagnosed with breast cancer, with her family setting up a GoFundMe page to help with the costs of treatment.
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In the latest update on the page, Lillis’ brother Laurie confirmed that she had sadly passed away on Saturday (August 10), writing: “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.
“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.
“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 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! All of us have been so moved by the responses from all of you!”
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
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Lillis’ co-star Veronica Taylor, who voiced Ash Ketchum in the franchise, also paid tribute to the late actor, writing on X/Twitter: “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
“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. 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.”
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