Pokemon Anime Misty Voice Actor Has Died at Age 46

Pokemon Anime Misty Voice Actor Has Died at Age 46

Highlights

  • Rachel Lillis, the English voice actress behind Misty and Jessie in the original Pokemon anime series, has passed away at 46 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.

As a lifelong Pokemon fan who grew up with Misty as my favorite character, I am deeply saddened by the news of Rachel Lillis’ passing. Her voice brought life to the snarky yet compassionate Misty, a role that resonated with so many of us.


Sadly, Rachel Lillis, who voiced Misty and Jessie in the original Pokemon anime series, has lost her battle with breast cancer at the age of 46. Throughout her career, Lillis provided voices for numerous anime titles, but it was her work on Pokemon that endeared her to fans worldwide. From the show’s debut until the English dub cast was replaced in 2006, she lent her talent to both human and Pokemon characters. Among her most cherished roles were those of Ash’s longtime traveling companion Misty, and the scheming Jessie from Team Rocket.

In May, Rachel Lillis shared that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, which was met by a surge of sympathy from her fellow Pokemon cast members and fans who remembered her as Misty. A fundraising campaign on GoFundMe was initiated to cover her medical expenses, with Eric Stuart (the original English voice actor for Brock and James from Team Rocket) and Tara Jayne Sands (voice of Bulbasaur) being among those who advocated for the cause.

I’m deeply saddened to share the news that Rachel Lillis, the voice behind Ash Ketchum in Pokemon, passed away on August 10, 2024, after a courageous battle with breast cancer. Veronica Taylor, her fellow voice actress, confirmed this tragic loss via Twitter. She was just 46 years old.

Pokemon Actress Rachel Lillis Has Passed Away

Veronica Taylor’s post comment area is overflowing with sympathetic messages and well-wishes from fans who remember Rachel Lillis not just as Misty in Pokemon, but as a versatile actress who played numerous roles across anime and video games. Beyond reprising her Pokemon characters in games such as Super Smash Bros. and Pokemon Puzzle League, Lillis is also recognized for providing her voice to other popular titles like Valkyrie Profile, Ape Escape 2, Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures, and Lego Jurassic World.

In the original Pokémon series, Misty and Jessie were widely beloved characters, and much of this adoration can be attributed to Rachel Lillis’s remarkable portrayals as the witty yet empathetic Cerulean City Gym Leader and one-half of the recurring antagonist duo that frequently challenged Ash. The news of her passing has left Pokémon fans worldwide in mourning, as they reminisce about the actress and the impact she had on the community by sharing personal anecdotes and memories.

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2024-08-12 20:33