Rachael Lillis (July 8, 1969[a] – August 10, 2024) was an American voice actress. She was best known for her performances as Misty, Jessie, and Jigglypuff in the first eight seasons of the English dub of the TV series Pokémon. In addition to voice roles in other animation works, she also provided voices for many video games.

Rachael Lillis
Lillis in 2017
Born(1969-07-08)July 8, 1969
DiedAugust 10, 2024(2024-08-10) (aged 55)
Other namesRachael McCabe[1]
Alma materSmith College (BS)
OccupationVoice actress
Years active1997–2021
WebsiteOfficial website (archive)

Early life

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Rachael Lillis was born in Niagara Falls, New York, on July 8, 1969.[3][4] She was the youngest of six children.[3] Lillis attended Smith College, where she was a premed student.[3] She also trained in opera before she became a voice actor.[5] She studied voice acting in Boston and moved to New York City in 1996.[6]

Career

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Lillis became known for voicing Misty and Jessie in the English dub of the Pokémon anime. She also voiced Pokémon such as Goldeen, Jigglypuff, Vulpix and Venonat on the show. Lillis appeared in 423 Pokémon episodes. She also voiced various Pokémon in the Super Smash Bros. video games.[5] Lillis was also the voice of Utena Tenjo in Revolutionary Girl Utena and voiced characters in Winx Club, Hunter × Hunter, Your Lie in April and Gall Force, among other shows.[3][7][8]

Lillis's last voice acting role was in Hunter × Hunter: The Last Mission. According to Veronica Taylor, Lillis had difficulty finding work during the COVID-19 pandemic, in part due to a lack of recording equipment at her home. In 2023, Lillis attended a Pokémon cast reunion in London.[3]

Death

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In May 2024, a GoFundMe campaign created by Lillis's sister announced that Lillis had developed breast cancer. Several of her fellow actors shared the campaign to help raise money for her care.[9] The campaign raised $98,000 by the time she died, with the money going towards Lillis's remaining bills, a memorial service and cancer research.[5] The cancer spread to her spine, which left her barely able to walk, and she eventually moved into a Los Angeles nursing home to receive care.[10] Lillis died from the disease in Los Angeles, on August 10, 2024, at the age of 55.[3][2]

Filmography

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Voice roles

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Film

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List of voice performances in films
Year Title Role Notes Refs[1]
1999 Pokémon: The First Movie Misty, Jessie, Vulpix, Venonat, Goldeen, Jigglypuff [11]
2000 Pokémon: The Movie 2000
2001 Night on the Galactic Railroad Marceau
Pokémon: Mewtwo Returns Misty, Jessie, Jigglypuff, Vulpix, Goldeen, Torchic, Beautifly
Pokémon 3: Spell of the Unown
Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Movie Utena Tenjō
2002 Pokémon 4Ever Misty, Jessie, Jigglypuff, Vulpix, Goldeen, Torchic, Beautifly
2003 Pokémon Heroes
2004 Pokémon: Jirachi Wish Maker
2005 Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys
2006 Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew
2012 Berserk: The Golden Age Arc I The Egg of the King Princess Charlotte [11][12]
2017–2020 Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel Sella Home video edition only
2019 Hunter × Hunter: The Last Mission Cocco Last role. [11]
Pokémon Detective Pikachu Jigglypuff Archival recording [13]

Anime

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List of dubbing performances in anime
Year Title Role Notes Refs[1]
1997 Takegami: Guardian of Darkness Satsuki First principal role in a series [14]
1998 The Slayers Cally, Paula [14]
1998 Revolutionary Girl Utena Utena Tenjō, Chu Chu, Shiori Takatsuki [15][16]
1998–2006 Pokémon Misty, Jessie, Jigglypuff, Pikachu (rarely), various [17][15][16][18]
1999 Slayers Next Martina Zoana Mel Navratilova, Kira [18]
2000 Geobreeders Takumi Sakurai
Irresponsible Captain Tylor Yuriko Star, Noriko [11][19]
Shamanic Princess Mimi Joyman, Suzanna White
Boogiepop Phantom Nagi Kirima, Manaka Kisaragi [15]
RG Veda Ashura Central Park Media Dub
Gokudo Miroku, Mora, Nihi [20][15]
Harlock Saga Fricka
Twin Signal Elara, Number 3 [11]
2002 Berserk Princess Charlotte [11]
His and Her Circumstances Miyako Mizawa, Aya Sawada, various [21][15]
Maetel Legend Queen La Andromeda Prometheum [22]
Now and Then, Here and There Boo, Sis
Voltage Fighter Gowcaizer Omni Exist [23]
2003 Alien Nine Miyu Tamaki
2003–2006 Animation Runner Kuromi Mai Horaguchi
2003 DNA² Ami Kurimoto
K.O. Beast V-Sion
Sonic X Danny [16][23]
2004 Comic Party Mizuki Takase [16]
Gravitation Ayaka Usami
Nana Seven of Seven Hitomi Onodera, Mitsuko Suzuki
Shrine of the Morning Mist Shizuka Midoh
World of Narue Kanaka Nanase, Miss Īzuka [11]
2005 Hammerboy Poplar [24]
Midori Days Haruka Kasugano
Mew Mew Power Gym Team Girl
Shingu: Secret of the Stellar Wars Momoe Sanemori [11]
2005–2010 Genshiken Kanako Ono [18]
2006 Boys Be... Aya Kurihara [25][15]
Pokémon Chronicles Misty, Jessie
2007 Dinosaur King Dr. Reese Drake, Ursula, Laura [18]
The Third: The Girl with the Blue Eye Rona Fauna [26]
2008 Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Darkness Sunflora, Shinx brother [11]
2010 Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn Micott Bartsch [27]
2011 Bakuman Amy [11]
2015 Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works Sella As Rachael McCabe [28]
2016 Your Lie in April Ryoko Miyazono [23]
2016–2019 Hunter × Hunter Mito Freecss, Cocco [11]

Animation

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List of voice performances in animation
Year Title Role Notes Refs[1]
2001–2003 Cubix Hela Nemo [18]
2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Tomoe Ame [16][29]
2004 Shadow of the Elves Thalia [16][18]
2004–2006 Winx Club Headmistress Faragonda, various 4Kids dub [30]
2006–2010 Chaotic Intress [18]

Video games

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List of voice performances in video games
Year Title Role Notes Refs[1]
1999 Super Smash Bros. Jigglypuff Grouped under Voice Actors [4][31]
2000 Pokémon Puzzle League Misty, Jessie, Jigglypuff [32]
Valkyrie Profile Jelanda, Lyseria, Mystina [33]
2001 Super Smash Bros. Melee Jigglypuff Grouped under Voices [4][34]
2003 Ape Escape 2 Natalie North American English dub [18]
2008 Super Smash Bros. Brawl Jigglypuff, Goldeen Grouped under Character Voice [4][11]
2014 Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U Jigglypuff, Goldeen Grouped under Character Voice [4][11]
2015 Lego Jurassic World As Rachael McCabe [35]
2018 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Jigglypuff, Goldeen Grouped under Character Voices [4][11]

Audiobooks

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List of voice performances in audiobooks
Year Title Author Notes Refs[1][36]
2005 Diary of a Fairy Godmother Esme Raji Codell
2006 Miss Watson Wants Your Teeth Alison McGhee

Production credits

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Script adaptation

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Year Title Medium Notes Refs
2001 Apocalypse Zero TV [37]
Gokudo Television [20]
2002 Boogiepop Phantom Television [38]
2003 K.O. Beast Television [39]

Translator

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Year Title Medium Notes Refs
2002 Cleopatra DC Television [40]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Rachael McCabe". Archived from the original on February 28, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
  2. ^ a b Moreau, Jordan (August 12, 2024). "Rachael Lillis, 'Pokémon' Star Who Voiced Misty and Jessie, Dies at 55". Variety. Archived from the original on August 12, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Moses, Claire (August 12, 2024). "Rachael Lillis, Who Voiced Popular 'Pokémon' Characters, Dies at 55". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Matza, Max (August 13, 2024). "Pokémon series voice star Rachael Lillis dies at 55". BBC News. Archived from the original on August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c Cain, Sian (August 13, 2024). "Rachael Lillis, voice of Misty in Pokémon, dies aged 55". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on August 17, 2024. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  6. ^ Liebenson, Donald (March 23, 2000). "Anime Star". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  7. ^ Tinoco, Armando (August 12, 2024). "Rachael Lillis Dies: 'Pokémon' Voice Actor For Misty & Jessie From Team Rocket Was 55". Deadline. Archived from the original on August 17, 2024. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  8. ^ Jaeger, Griffin (August 13, 2024). "Rachael Lillis, voice behind Pokémon's Misty and Jessie, dead at 55". CBC News. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  9. ^ "GoFundMe Campaign Launched for Pokémon Voice Actress Rachael Lillis". Anime News Network. May 13, 2024. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  10. ^ Alex Mateo (August 12, 2024). "Pokémon Voice Actress Rachael Lillis Dies (Updated)". Anime News Network.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Rachael Lillis". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on November 5, 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2019. Check mark indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  12. ^ Beveridge, Chris (April 2, 2015). "'Berserk: The Golden Age Arc I – The Egg Of The King' Anime Feature Gets Netflix Distribution". The Fandom Post. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  13. ^ "Jigglypuff's original voice actor was credited but never notified". GoNintendo.com. May 10, 2019. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
  14. ^ a b Flook, Ray (August 12, 2024). "Pokémon Icon, Voice Actress Rachael Lillis Passes Away at Age 55". bleedingcool.com. Archived from the original on August 12, 2024. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  15. ^ a b c d e f "Guests". New York Comic Con. Archived from the original on October 2, 2010. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  16. ^ a b c d e f "Entertainment Guests". Los Angeles Comic Con. Archived from the original on November 13, 2019. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  17. ^ Liebenson, Donald (March 23, 2000). "Anime Star". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on February 6, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h Rachael Lillis Voiceover (May 24, 2015). Rachael Lillis Animation VO Demo. YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  19. ^ "News Briefs". Anime News Network. April 24, 1999. Archived from the original on August 10, 2014. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  20. ^ a b Gokudo - The Complete Series (DVD). Discotek Media. 2016.
  21. ^ "Kare Kano Dub List". Anime News Network. March 27, 2002. Archived from the original on June 16, 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
  22. ^ Washington, Darius (December 2, 2014). "Ten Years Later: Space Symphony Maetel Anime Series". The Fandom Post. Archived from the original on December 3, 2019. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  23. ^ a b c "Rachael Lillis". ANIMATE! Florida. September 2, 2017. Archived from the original on November 8, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  24. ^ Hammerboy (DVD). Central Park Media. 2005.
  25. ^ "After Kiss". Boys Be.... Season 1. Episode 3.
  26. ^ "Rona Fauna". The Third. Season 1. Episode 17.
  27. ^ "Gundam Unicorn Anime English Cast Announced". Anime News Network. December 25, 2009. Archived from the original on May 11, 2012. Retrieved July 28, 2011.
  28. ^ Aniplex (February 16, 2016). Fate/stay night Unlimited Blade Works Set 2 Booklet.
  29. ^ Rachael Lillis Voiceover (June 27, 2019). Rachael Lillis as Tomoe Ame in 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'. YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  30. ^ "R.I.P. Rachael Lillis: 'Pokémon' And 'Winx Club' Voice Actor Dead At 46". Decider. Archived from the original on August 17, 2024. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  31. ^ Nintendo. Super Smash Bros. Scene: Closing credits, 0:54 in, Voice Actors.
  32. ^ "The original Pokemon movie actor behind Misty and Jessie, Rachael Lillis, has died". Yahoo Entertainment. August 12, 2024. Archived from the original on August 14, 2024. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  33. ^ "Valkyrie Profile (2000)". behindthevoiceactors.com. Archived from the original (web.archive.org) on June 13, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  34. ^ HAL Laboratory. Super Smash Bros. Melee. Nintendo. Scene: Ending credits, 0:26.
  35. ^ TT Fusion. Lego Jurassic World. Scene: Closing credits, 6:15 in, Voice Cast.
  36. ^ "Rachael Lillis". Live Oak Media. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  37. ^ Apocalypse Zero (DVD). Media Blasters. 2001.
  38. ^ Boogiepop Phantom - Complete TV Series (DVD). Media Blasters. 2012.
  39. ^ K.O. Beast (DVD). Vol. 1. The Right Stuf International. 2003.
  40. ^ Cleopatra D.C. (DVD). Media Blasters. 2002.

Notes

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  1. ^ "Though it was originally reported that Lillis was 46 [at the time of her death], The New York Times confirmed with her sister, Laurie Orr, that she was born on July 8, 1969."[2]
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