The Ring and Lilo & Stitch actress Daveigh Chase dies aged 35

June 17, 2026

Daveigh Chase, the actress known for her chilling portrayal of Samara in The Ring and as the voice of Lilo in Disney's Lilo & Stitch, has passed away at age 35 from sepsis following meningitis complications in a Los Angeles hospital. The former child star, who began her career at age four and achieved early success with roles in Donnie Darko and Spirited Away, had stepped away from full-time acting in 2015, preferring independent projects over mainstream Hollywood productions. Her manager described her as a private, down-to-earth person who devoted time to cat rescue work and spent extended periods at her Las Vegas home away from the entertainment industry spotlight.

Who is affected

Daveigh Chase (deceased)
Her manager and friend John Ryan Jr (15-year professional relationship)
Cat rescue organizations she worked with
Fans of The Ring, Lilo & Stitch, Spirited Away, Donnie Darko, and Big Love
The entertainment industry, particularly voice acting and horror film communities

What action is being taken

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Why it matters

This matters because it marks the premature loss of a talented actress who created iconic characters that shaped early 2000s pop culture, particularly through her terrifying performance as Samara in The Ring and her endearing voice work as Lilo. Her death at only 35 years old highlights the fragility of life and the serious health consequences of conditions like malnourishment, meningitis, and sepsis. Her career trajectory also represents a broader conversation about child stardom, the pressures of Hollywood fame, and the choice some performers make to step away from the spotlight despite early success.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC