Rachael Lillis, a prolific voice actress best known for portraying Misty and Team Rocket's Jessie in the beloved "Pokémon" anime, has passed away at the age of 46.
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00:00Prepare for trouble!
00:02Make it double!"
00:04Rachel Lillis, a prolific voice actor known for portraying Misty in Team Rocket's Jessie
00:09in the beloved Pokemon anime, has passed away at the age of 46.
00:13The news was first shared on social media by fellow Pokemon performer Veronica Taylor,
00:18who played Ash Ketchum in the first seasons of the series' U.S. dub.
00:22Taylor wrote,
00:23It is with a very heavy heart that I share the news of the passing of Rachel Lillis on
00:27Saturday evening, 10th August, 2024.
00:31Rachel was so thankful for all of the generous love and support that was given to her as
00:35she battled with cancer.
00:37It truly made a positive difference.
00:39Lillis revealed her breast cancer diagnosis back in May of this year, around which time
00:43her sister set up a GoFundMe campaign to pay for her ongoing treatment.
00:48The GoFundMe eventually raised around $96,000 from adoring fans, many of whom reached out
00:54to Lillis on social media when she was unable to make it to her scheduled convention appearances
00:59this summer.
01:00Those same fans, along with some of Lillis' former co-stars and collaborators, have posted
01:04their condolences in the wake of Lillis' death.
01:07The outpouring of love and support from Pokemon fans was almost instantaneous, with hundreds
01:12of posts celebrating Lillis' work quickly spreading across social media.
01:16YouTuber and voice actor Leonhart, whom fans will likely know for his Pokemon-centric videos,
01:22paid tribute by writing,
01:24"...sad to hear of the passing of Rachel Lillis.
01:26Many know her as the voice of Misty in Jessie from Pokemon.
01:30While she had many other incredible roles, growing up with a Pokemon anime wouldn't have
01:34been the same without her and her amazing talent."
01:37Some fans expressed heartbreak at the fact that Eric Stewart is now the only remaining
01:41voice actor from the original Team Rocket trio, while others took a moment to spotlight
01:46the many different characters Lillis played throughout her career.
01:50The owner of the official ex-account for the long-running Pokemon fan community, Bulbagarden,
01:54also expressed their condolences, amplifying their request for charitable donations in
01:59Lillis' name.
02:00Naturally, many other fans have begun sharing clips of their favorite moments from Lillis'
02:05tenure in Pokemon.
02:06Eric Stewart, who worked with Lillis on Pokemon as the voice of Brock and James, the other
02:11half of Team Rocket, also offered some kind words.
02:14She was one of the funniest, sweetest, kindest people.
02:17My dear friend for so many years.
02:20Celebrate her life by watching OG Pokemon, especially Team Rocket.
02:24She will always be my partner in comedic crime."
02:27One thing is for sure, Lillis' work on Pokemon has absolutely left a mark on an entire generation
02:32of young gamers.