Daveigh Chase, the actor who voiced Lilo in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and played Samara in The Ring, died on June 16, 2026. She was 35.
Her death brought renewed attention to a career that connected family animation, psychological drama and one of modern horror’s most recognizable villains.
The Official Cause
Early family statements attributed Chase’s death to bacterial meningitis and a blood infection. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner later listed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, as the primary cause. Chronic polysubstance use was recorded as a significant contributing condition, and the manner of death was classified as natural. The official finding superseded the initial reports.
Giving Lilo Her Voice
Chase voiced six-year-old Lilo Pelekai in Disney’s 2002 animated film Lilo & Stitch. Her expressive performance helped make Lilo funny, lonely, stubborn and deeply believable. The film’s story of two sisters and an unusual found family became one of Disney’s most enduring early-2000s releases. Chase received an Annie Award for her voice performance.
Horror’s Unforgettable Samara
That same year, Chase appeared as Samara Morgan in The Ring. With long dark hair, controlled movements and an unnervingly quiet presence, she helped create an image that became instantly recognizable within American horror. Her performance earned the MTV Movie Award for Best Villain, placing the young actor alongside much older and more established performers.
A Ghibli Connection
Chase also provided the English-language voice of Chihiro in Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away. The character begins as a frightened child but gradually develops courage while navigating a mysterious spirit world. Through Lilo and Chihiro, Chase contributed to two acclaimed animated films released to American audiences during the same period.
Beyond Her Childhood Roles
Before becoming widely known through Disney and horror, Chase appeared as Samantha Darko in Donnie Darko. She later returned to the role in the spin-off S. Darko. On television, she played the manipulative teenage character Rhonda Volmer in HBO’s Big Love, revealing a more mature and unsettling side of her acting range.
Life Away From Fame
Chase’s screen appearances became less frequent during her later years, and much of her personal life remained outside the public eye. Reports following her death included sensitive details about health and substance use, but those circumstances should not erase the work she created as a young performer. Her family and former colleagues asked that attention remain respectful.
Two Lasting Characters
Chase achieved something unusual before reaching adulthood: she helped create two characters remembered by completely different audiences. For families, her voice remains connected to Lilo’s humor and resilience. For horror fans, her portrayal of Samara still represents fear emerging from a television screen. Those performances ensure that her work will continue to be rediscovered.
Featured Image: instagram.com/daveighc
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