Pokemon star Rachael Lillis dead at 46: Voice actress behind Jessy and Misty characters dies after cancer battle
Pokemon voice actress Rachael Lillis - who the voiced the characters Misty and Jessie on the beloved show - has died at the age of 46.
Co-star Veronica Taylor, who voiced the character Ash Ketchum, confirmed that Lillis died after a battle with breast cancer on Saturday.
'Rachael was an extraordinary talent, a bright light that shone through her voice whether speaking or singing,' Taylor wrote in a tribute.
'She will be forever remembered for the many animated roles she played, with her iconic performances as Pokemon's Misty and Jessie being the most beloved.'
Pokemon voice actress Rachael Lillis has died at the age of 46 after battling cancer
Lillis played Misty (pictured) who sported a short orange ponytail and traveled with Ash while specializing in water-type Pokemon
Taylor added: 'I am not sure how this very dark void will be filled now that her light no longer shines in it.'
On the show that debuted in 1996, the Misty character sports a short orange ponytail and travels with Ash while specializing in water-type Pokemon.
The Jessie character is a member of rival Team Rocket who followed Ash and friends around often trying to steal his Pikachu.
Lillis's sister, Laurie Orr, wrote in an update on GoFundMe that her health started to decline last week.
'This was unexpected and we are completely grief-stricken. My heart breaks losing my dear little sister, though I am comforted knowing she is free,' Orr said.
Jessie (right) is a member of rival Team Rocket who followed Ash and friends around often trying to steal his Pikachu
'She remembered many of you that she happily met at conventions, for instance, and related stories to us about the experience and all the people she appreciated meeting.'
In the Pokemon universe, Lillis also voiced the beloved singing Pokemon Jigglypuff and played the character in the popular Super Smash Brothers Nintendo game, according to Variety.
She also had roles in Your Lie in April, Hunter x Hunter, Winx Club and many more shows.
It was revealed Lillis was diagnosed with breast cancer in May and she had been living in a nursing home since January.
