Actress Daveigh Chase, best known for voicing Lilo in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and portraying the terrifying Samara Morgan in The Ring, has died at the age of 35. According to a report by The Guardian, Chase passed away on 16 June following complications related to meningitis and a blood infection that led to sepsis.
Born in Las Vegas in 1990, Chase rose to fame as one of Hollywood’s most recognisable child stars in the early 2000s.
In 2002 alone, she delivered two performances that would leave a lasting mark on popular culture: lending her voice to the spirited young heroine Lilo Pelekai in Disney’s beloved animated hit Lilo & Stitch, and appearing as Samara Morgan, the eerie antagonist at the centre of the horror phenomenon The Ring.
Her performance as Samara became one of the most iconic horror roles of the decade, earning her the MTV Movie Award for Best Villain and helping cement The Ring as a modern horror classic.
Beyond those career-defining roles, Chase also voiced Chihiro in the English-language dub of Studio Ghibli’s acclaimed film Spirited Away and appeared in projects such as Donnie Darko, HBO’s Big Love, ER, Charmed, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
A Legacy That Spanned Generations
While many fans remember her as the cheerful and lovable voice behind Lilo, others grew up knowing Chase as the haunting face of Samara. Few performers can claim to have simultaneously defined both a generation’s childhood and its nightmares, making her career uniquely memorable.
News of her passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans online, many reflecting on the impact of Lilo & Stitch, The Ring, and her other performances throughout the years.
Daveigh Chase’s work remains an enduring part of early-2000s popular culture, and her performances continue to resonate with audiences around the world.
Our condolences go out to her family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time.
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