Rachael Lillis, the Voice of Misty and Jessie, Passes Away at 46

Rachael Lillis sadly passed away on Saturday evening following a battle with breast cancer. The beloved voice actress was known to Pokemon fans for voicing Misty, Jessie, and Jigglypuff in the original 4Kids dub of the Pokemon anime.

The news was announced today by her co-stars Veronica Taylor and Eric Stuart.

Eric Stuart, who voiced Brock and James, shared on his Twitter, “She was one of the funniest, sweetest, kindest people. My dear friend for so many years. Celebrate her life by watching OG Pokemon, especially Team Rocket, she will always be my partner in comedic crime.”

“I was lucky enough to know Rachael as a friend,” said Veronica Taylor on Twitter, who voiced Ash. “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.”

Lillis’s breast cancer diagnosis was first revealed in May 2024.

Lillis is now the second member of the original cast to pass away. Maddie Blaustein, who voiced Meowth, passed away in December 2008.