Los Angeles: Actor Daveigh Chase, widely remembered for her chilling portrayal of Samara Morgan in the horror classic The Ring and as the voice behind Disney’s beloved character Lilo in Lilo & Stitch, has died at the age of 35.
Her longtime manager and close friend, John Ryan Jr., confirmed the news to BBC News on Wednesday.
According to Ryan, Chase passed away on Tuesday after suffering severe medical complications. She had reportedly been admitted to a hospital for malnourishment before her condition worsened.
Meningitis Led to Sepsis
Chase’s health deteriorated after she developed meningitis, a serious infection that affects the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
The illness later progressed into a bloodstream infection and ultimately sepsis, a life-threatening condition in which the body’s response to infection causes widespread inflammation and organ damage.
Despite medical treatment, Chase succumbed to complications arising from the infection.
‘She Was Not Very Hollywood’
Remembering Chase, Ryan described her as a deeply private person who preferred a quiet life away from the spotlight despite achieving fame at a young age.
“She was the greatest. She loved cats. She worked with cat rescues with us. She was very much to herself,” Ryan said.
According to him, Chase frequently withdrew from the entertainment industry’s social scene and often spent long periods at her home in Las Vegas.
Despite receiving opportunities to work on major studio productions, she often chose independent films and smaller creative projects instead.
“She was not very Hollywood,” Ryan said. “She’d rather eat at Bob’s Big Boy and go home with the cats. She loved acting but wasn’t into the fame scene.”
Friends and colleagues remembered her as someone who valued personal passions and meaningful work over celebrity culture.
Breakthrough Role in ‘The Ring’
Chase rose to international fame in 2002 when she played Samara Morgan in the horror film The Ring.
The movie, an American adaptation of the acclaimed Japanese horror film Ringu, became a global box-office success and helped redefine supernatural horror for a new generation.
Her portrayal of Samara — the terrifying, long-haired ghost who emerges from a television screen after victims watch a cursed videotape — quickly became one of the most iconic horror performances of the decade.
The character’s eerie appearance and unsettling presence left a lasting impact on audiences worldwide.
In recognition of her performance, Chase won the MTV Movie Award for Best Villain in 2003.
‘Samara Was a Pretty Interesting Character’
Following the success of The Ring, Chase spoke about how much she enjoyed playing a character that differed dramatically from typical child roles in Hollywood.
“It is not your typical character. Usually they are looking for a happy-go-lucky kid, but Samara was a pretty interesting character to play,” she told the Los Angeles Times in 2002.
“I just kind of took my own voice and put this freaky twist on it,” she added.
Her performance remains one of the most memorable aspects of the film and continues to be referenced in popular culture more than two decades later.
Voice of Disney’s Beloved Lilo
While horror fans remember her as Samara, another generation of audiences grew up hearing Chase as the voice of Lilo Pelekai in Disney’s animated hit Lilo & Stitch.
Released in 2002, the film became one of Disney’s most beloved animated features, celebrated for its heartfelt story about family, friendship and belonging.
Chase’s energetic and emotional voice performance brought Lilo to life and earned widespread praise from critics and audiences alike.
Her work on the film won her the Annie Award for Best Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production.
She later reprised the role in multiple Lilo & Stitch television and direct-to-video spin-offs, becoming permanently associated with one of Disney’s most cherished characters.
A Career Defined by Versatility
Throughout her career, Chase demonstrated remarkable versatility, moving seamlessly between family entertainment and psychological horror.
From voicing a lovable Hawaiian girl to portraying one of cinema’s most terrifying supernatural villains, she showcased a range that few young actors achieve.
Although she largely stayed away from mainstream Hollywood in later years, her contributions to film and animation continued to resonate with audiences around the world.
Legacy Lives On
Daveigh Chase leaves behind a legacy built on two unforgettable characters that shaped an entire generation of moviegoers.
For horror fans, she will always be remembered as Samara Morgan, the haunting face of The Ring. For Disney audiences, she remains the voice of Lilo, the spirited young girl who taught millions the meaning of “ohana.”
Her performances continue to endure through some of the most iconic films of the early 2000s, ensuring that her work will be remembered for years to come.