Daveigh Chase, who enchanted a generation of children as the voice of Disney’s Lilo and haunted filmgoers as a terrifying horror villain, has passed away at the age of 35. The former child star died in Los Angeles on Tuesday following severe medical complications.
The heartbreaking news was initially brought to light by TMZ after receiving a statement from her partner. He disclosed that the 35-year-old had contracted meningitis alongside a fatal blood infection. These complications arose shortly after she was admitted to a local hospital for extreme malnutrition earlier this month.
Speaking directly to the New York Times her father confirmed the devastating reality of her final years. He revealed that his daughter had been experiencing homelessness in California and disclosed a harrowing lifelong struggle with substance abuse that began when she was just 13 years old.
A tale of two breakout roles
Despite her deeply personal struggles Daveigh Chase leaves behind a remarkable and highly unique cinematic footprint. She was catapulted to global fame in 2002 through two wildly different performances that instantly cemented her status in Hollywood.
- Disney’s Hawaiian Heroine: She provided the iconic vocals for Lilo Pelekai in the smash-hit animation Lilo & Stitch. This critically acclaimed performance won her an Annie Award and led to her reprising the beloved character in numerous television broadcasts and direct-to-video spin-offs.
- A Horror Masterpiece: In the very same year she embodied pure terror as Samara Morgan in the psychological thriller The Ring. While a contortionist physically performed the famous scene of the character emerging from a television screen, Chase’s deeply unsettling portrayal of the cursed girl remains a defining moment in modern horror cinema.
Other notable career highlights
Beyond her dual triumphs in 2002 her diverse filmography spanned both mainstream voice acting and live-action television. Her final professional credits were recorded in 2016.
Her most prominent industry projects included:
- Spirited Away: Voicing the lead protagonist Chihiro in the English dub of Hayao Miyazaki’s Oscar-winning anime.
- Donnie Darko: Playing Samantha Darko alongside Jake Gyllenhaal (a character she later reprised in the 2009 follow-up S. Darko).
- Big Love: Starring in the critically praised HBO drama series.
- Betsy’s Kindergarten Adventures: Leading the vocal cast of the popular PBS Kids animated programme.
