Daveigh Chase, voice of 'Lilo', ‘The Ring’ star, dies at 35

Daveigh Chase, the actress best known for voicing Lilo in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and portraying the chilling Samara Morgan in The Ring, has died at the age of 35.

Chase died on Tuesday in Los Angeles, according to Variety. Her death was confirmed by family members after TMZ first reported the news. The actress leaves behind a legacy that spanned animation, horror films and television, with performances that resonated across generations of viewers.

Daveigh Chase Rose to Fame as Disney’s Lilo

Chase achieved widespread recognition in 2002 when she voiced Lilo Pelekai, the young Hawaiian girl at the heart of Disney’s animated hit Lilo & Stitch.

Her performance earned critical acclaim and won an Annie Award for outstanding voice acting in an animated feature. Following the film’s success, she reprised the role in multiple franchise projects, including Stitch! The Movie, Leroy & Stitch and Lilo & Stitch: The Series.

She also voiced Chihiro Ogino in the English-language version of Hayao Miyazaki’s acclaimed animated classic Spirited Away, further cementing her place in animation history.

‘The Ring’ Turned Chase Into a Horror Icon

The same year she voiced Lilo, Chase delivered one of the most memorable performances in modern horror cinema as Samara Morgan in The Ring.

Her portrayal of the ghostly girl behind the cursed videotape helped make the film a box-office success and a cultural phenomenon. The character became synonymous with early-2000s horror and remains one of the genre’s most recognisable villains.

Chase’s performance continued to influence the franchise through archival appearances in The Ring Two and Rings.

Actress Also Appeared in Film and Television

Beyond her signature roles, Chase built a diverse acting career across film and television.

She played Samantha Darko, the younger sister of the title character in Donnie Darko, and later starred in the sequel S. Darko. Television audiences also recognised her from HBO’s Big Love, while younger viewers knew her as the voice behind PBS Kids’ Betsy’s Kindergarten Adventures.

Her final screen credits came in 2016.

Family Confirms Circumstances Surrounding Her Death

According to reports, Chase’s boyfriend said she died from meningitis and a blood infection after being hospitalised earlier this month. Her father also confirmed her death and spoke about personal challenges she had faced in recent years.

The actress had reportedly struggled with addiction issues for much of her life and was living in Los Angeles at the time of her death.

Despite her later struggles, Chase's work in both animation and horror left an enduring mark on popular culture, with audiences continuing to celebrate her performances more than two decades after her breakthrough roles.