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Pokémon star Rachael Lillis: 1978-2024
Lillis, who brought the characters Misty and Jesse to English-speaking audiences, worked extensively in other anime dubs
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Voice actor Rachael Lillis has passed away, according to Variety.
Though Lillis's work ran the gamut of animation, she was perhaps best known for her work in the Pokémon franchise. In particular, Lillis was the original English voice of trainer Misty and the nefarious Jesse of Team Rocket, but across decades of the show's run, she would also provide the voices for Jigglypuff, Jynx, the Pokédex, and many, many more.
Lillis's work also extended into more English roles in popular anime dubs, including Hunter x Hunter, Your Lie in April, Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works], and numerous others. She also served as scriptwriter for Cleopatra D.C., K.O. Beast, Apocalypse Zero, and Gokudo.
In May of 2024, Lillis was diagnosed with breast cancer. On August 12, Lillis's costar Veronica Taylor, who played opposite her as Ash Ketchum, announced her passing on X/Twitter. The post is pictured below.
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"Rachael was a magnificent wonder and truly special," Taylor wrote in a post beneath the announcement. "She burned bright and vanished too soon. She will live on in our memories for eternity."
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