Daveigh Chase, the actor who gained international recognition as the voice of Lilo in Disney’s animated hit and as the haunting Samara Morgan in the horror film The Ring, has died at the age of 35.
Actress Daveigh Chase dies at 35
News of her death was announced by her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, who confirmed to TMZ that Chase died on Tuesday after suffering complications related to meningitis and multiple serious blood infections. According to Hernandez, an infection in her bloodstream led to severe health complications.
Earlier this week, Hernandez had launched a campaign to support Chase during her illness. In a message posted on the fundraising page, he revealed the severity of her condition, writing that recently “Daveigh was diagnosed with meningitis and several serious blood infections. Her condition has become critical, and the doctors have told me she may not have much time left.”
Hernandez later told TMZ that an infection in her blood caused “septic issues and led to her body shutting down.”
More about Daviegh Chase
Born in Las Vegas, Nevada, Chase rose to prominence as one of Hollywood’s most recognisable child actors during the early 2000s. Her breakthrough came in 2002 when she voiced the spirited and imaginative Lilo Pelekai in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, a role that earned widespread praise and contributed to the film’s enduring popularity.
The same year, she delivered another career-defining performance as Samara Morgan in The Ring, the American remake of the Japanese horror classic. Her chilling portrayal of the supernatural antagonist became one of the most memorable performances of the decade and earned her the MTV Movie Award for Best Villain.
Tributes and messages of condolence began appearing online following reports of her death, with many fans recalling the impact of her work in both family entertainment and horror . Her performances in Lilo & Stitch and The Ring remain significant cultural touchstones more than two decades after their release.
Chase is remembered for two vastly different but equally iconic characters that left a lasting mark on audiences around the world, with news of her death emerging after a brief but serious illness.
