"Pokémon" Stars Unveil Central Park Bench to Honor Late Voice Actor Rachael Lillis: 'Inspiring Generations to Come' Brenton BlanchetOctober 17, 2025 at 11:15 PM 0 Moviestore/Shutterstock; Convention Junkies/YouTube; Veronica Taylor/Instagram From left: Pokemon character; Rachael Lillis; park bench f...
- - "Pokémon" Stars Unveil Central Park Bench to Honor Late Voice Actor Rachael Lillis: 'Inspiring Generations to Come'
Brenton BlanchetOctober 17, 2025 at 11:15 PM
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Moviestore/Shutterstock; Convention Junkies/YouTube; Veronica Taylor/Instagram
From left: Pokemon character; Rachael Lillis; park bench funded by Pokemon fans -
Pokémon stars have announced a bench in New York City's Central Park honoring Rachael Lillis
The late voice actor, who died in 2024, was known for voicing characters including Jigglypuff, Misty and Jessie of Team Rocket
"It has been a labor of love," wrote costar Veronica Taylor
The Pokémon community has come together to honor a woman whose voice fans know all too well.
Rachael Lillis, the late voice actor who brought characters like Misty and Team Rocket's Jessie to life in the English dub of the beloved animated series, is now being remembered with a bench in New York City's Central Park. And fans can pay it a visit.
Fellow Pokémon stars Veronica Taylor, Lisa Ortiz and Tara Sands announced the bench in a joint Instagram post on Wednesday, Oct. 8, as Taylor — the voice of original series protagonist Ash Ketchum — shared a closer look at the tribute and its inscription.
"Great news! I am so happy to reveal the bench in honor of Rachael Lillis in Central Park's Upper West Side," Taylor, 59, wrote of the bench. "Thank you all for your generosity and kindness in helping make this a reality. It has been a labor of love for me, Tara and Lisa and a joy working with the Central Park Conservancy. Please stop by the bench any time! (Just know that large groups must get a permit from the park first)."
The bench, which is located on the path between 106th Street and 108th Street off Central Park West, was largely funded by fans of the show. In her Instagram video, in which she thanked followers for donating "so generously," Taylor officially unveiled what she called "Rachael's bench."
"In honor of Racheel Lillis," the plaque on the bench reads. "Whose iconic voice filled Saturday mornings inspiring generations to come."
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A post shared by Veronica Taylor (@theveronicat)
"I hope you can come and sit here and think about Rachael," Taylor said in the video, before pointing out the bench's location on a park map.
Taylor first announced a fundraiser for the bench back in June with a goal of $10,000 to secure the seat "in the heart of NYC where so much of her career and legacy is rooted," via the Central Park Conservancy. Just over a month later, Sands revealed the bench had been funded and that the project was officially underway.
"Again, thanks to everyone for your support," Taylor added in the Instagram post's comments section.
Veronica Taylor/Instagram
Rachael Lillis' bench in New York City's Central Park
According to Central Park's website, the park is home to more than 10,000 benches, with 7,000 of them having been "adopted" via its Adopt-A-Bench program, which was launched in 1968.
Convention Junkies/YouTube; United Archives GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo; Moviestore/Shutterstock
Misty in Pokémon; Rachael Lillis; Jessie in Pokémon
Lillis died in August 2024 at age 55 following a battle with breast cancer. Lillis' sister confirmed the news in a GoFundMe update which touched on her "indelible impression upon the world of anime." Fans donated over $100,000 via the fundraiser.
Lillis' voice work on the series also included portraying Goldeen, Jigglypuff and Vulpix, with her other work including performances in Winx Club and Hunter × Hunter.
"We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Rachael Lillis," Pokémon shared in a statement at the time.
"Her performance in the Pokémon animated series 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. Our thoughts and condolences are with her family and friends."
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