Heartbreaking Loss: Daveigh Chase of 'The Ring' and 'Lilo & Stitch' Dies at 35
Heartbreaking Loss: Daveigh Chase of 'The Ring' and 'Lilo & Stitch' Dies at 35
Tragic news for fans: Daveigh Chase, the talented actress known for voicing Lilo in 'Lilo & Stitch' and terrifying audiences as Samara in 'The Ring,' has passed away at 35. Discover her impactful legacy.
Hollywood is mourning the loss of a talented actress, Daveigh Chase, who passed away at the age of 35. Chase was widely recognized for her memorable roles, lending her voice to the beloved character Lilo in Disney’s animated hit “Lilo & Stitch” and delivering a chilling performance as the iconic villain Samara Morgan in the horror film “The Ring.” Her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, confirmed the tragic news, stating she died on Tuesday following severe complications stemming from meningitis and serious blood infections.
Just days before her passing, Hernandez had launched a GoFundMe page, sharing the dire state of Chase's health with the public. He had revealed that her condition had become critical and doctors had given a grim prognosis. The young actress passed away in a Los Angeles hospital due to sepsis, a severe complication of the infections.
Born Daveigh Elizabeth Chase on July 24, 1990, in Las Vegas, she spent her formative years in Albany, Oregon. Chase's journey into show business began remarkably early. By the age of seven, she was already engaged in commercial and stage work. Her talent quickly landed her roles on popular television shows such as “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” “Charmed,” “The Practice,” and “ER.”
Her career truly blossomed in 2001 when director Richard Kelly cast her as Samantha Darko in the now-cult classic “Donnie Darko,” starring opposite Jake Gyllenhaal. The same year, she lent her voice to the lead character, Chihiro Ogino, in the English dub of Studio Ghibli’s acclaimed animated film “Spirited Away.”
However, 2002 proved to be a pivotal year, solidifying her status in both animation and live-action. She captivated audiences as the voice of Lilo, an orphaned Hawaiian girl who befriends an alien named Stitch, a role she reprised in multiple sequels and an animated series. In a striking contrast, Chase also delivered one of her most unforgettable performances as Samara Morgan, the terrifying, pale-faced ghost at the heart of Gore Verbinski’s horror blockbuster “The Ring.” Despite being only 12 years old at the time, her unsettling portrayal became an integral and unforgettable part of the film’s lasting impact.
