Daveigh Chase, the former child actress best known for voicing Lilo in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and portraying Samara Morgan in The Ring, has died at the age of 35.
According to multiple reports, Chase’s boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, confirmed that she passed away after complications related to meningitis and a severe blood infection that developed into sepsis.
A Star Who Defined a Generation
For many fans, Chase’s voice became instantly recognizable through Disney’s 2002 animated hit Lilo & Stitch. The role helped launch her career and introduced her to audiences around the world.
That same year, she showcased a dramatically different side of her talent by playing Samara Morgan, the haunting antagonist in the American horror film The Ring, a performance that remains one of the most memorable in modern horror cinema.
A Career Filled With Iconic Roles
Beyond her two most famous performances, Chase also voiced Chihiro in the English-language version of Spirited Away and appeared in projects including Donnie Darko, Big Love, ER, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
Her ability to move between animation, drama, and horror made her one of the most recognizable young performers of the early 2000s.
Health Struggles Before Her Passing
Reports indicate that Chase had been hospitalized in Los Angeles earlier this month before her condition worsened. Hernandez had previously launched a fundraising campaign, explaining that she had been diagnosed with meningitis and several serious blood infections.
He described her as a source of light and positivity despite facing significant personal hardships throughout her life.
Fans Remember a Childhood Favorite
News of Chase’s death quickly spread across social media, where fans shared memories of growing up with Lilo & Stitch, The Ring, and many of her other projects.
For countless millennials, Chase’s work became a defining part of childhood, whether through Disney adventures or unforgettable horror movie moments.
A Lasting Legacy
Although her life was cut tragically short, Chase leaves behind a body of work that continues to resonate with audiences more than two decades after her breakthrough year in Hollywood.
Her performances helped shape some of the most beloved and memorable films of the early 2000s, ensuring her legacy will live on for generations of viewers.
