Rachael Lillis, the voice actress for the Pokémon TV series, films, and video games, has died aged 55, according to reports.
Lillis voiced the main characters of Misty and Jessie on the popular Japanese animated series.
Veronica Taylor, who co-stars as Pokémon lead character Ash Ketchum, confirmed Lillis’ death this week.
Taylor wrote: “Rachael was an extraordinary talent, a bright light that shone through her voice whether speaking or singing.”
“We all know Rachael Lillis from the many wonderful roles she played,” Taylor wrote on social media on Monday.
“She filled our Saturday mornings and before/after school hours with her beautiful voice, her terrific comic timing, and her remarkable acting skills.”
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“It truly made a positive difference,” Ms Taylor said.
It was reported Lillis had died from cancer.
The actress’s sister also confirmed the death on a GoFundMe set up earlier this year to raise money for her cancer treatment.
“This was unexpected and we are completely grief-stricken,” wrote Laurie Orr, adding that her sister’s health began to decline last week.
“My heart breaks losing my dear little sister, though I am comforted knowing she is free,” she said.
The page raised more than $100,000 (£78,000), with fans saying he had “gone too soon and much too young” and her “light shined bright” through her work.
The funds would now go towards paying off remaining medical bills, a memorial service, and “efforts to combat cancer.”
Lillis was born in Niagara Falls, New York 1969, and trained in opera at university before becoming a voice actor.
She starred in 423 episodes of Pokémon between 1997 and 2015, according to IMDB.
The BBC reported that she also voiced Pokémon character Jigglypuff, including in the 2019 film Detective Pikachu and in the Super Smash Bros video game series.
A statement from The Pokémon Company International said:
“We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Rachael Lillis.”
The company said that her performance on Pokémon “will be cherished by the many fans who grew up with the characters she brought to life with her special talent.
“She will be remembered for generations to come, and we will always keep her close in our hearts.”
