Daveigh Chase, best known for terrifying audiences as Samara Morgan in The Ring and voicing Lilo in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, has died at the age of 35. Her longtime manager, John Ryan Jr., confirmed that she passed away from sepsis after developing meningitis while receiving treatment at a Los Angeles hospital.
According to Ryan, Chase had also been admitted for malnourishment before her condition worsened.
Cause of death confirmed
John Ryan Jr., who managed Chase for 15 years, said the actress died from sepsis following complications related to meningitis.
He described her as a private person who stayed away from the spotlight despite achieving success at a young age.
“She was the greatest. She loved cats and worked with cat rescue groups. She wasn’t interested in the Hollywood lifestyle. She preferred a quiet life with her pets,” Ryan said.
A child star who found success early
Daveigh Chase began acting when she was just four years old. She started with voice-over work and theatre performances in Las Vegas before landing her first television role in Hollywood at the age of seven.
Her first TV appearance came in the popular sitcom Sabrina the Teenage Witch, starring Melissa Joan Hart.
Over the next few years, she built an impressive career in both television and film.
Breakthrough with Donnie Darko and The Ring
Chase gained wider recognition in 2001 after playing Samantha Darko in the cult classic Donnie Darko. She later reprised the role in the 2009 sequel S. Darko.
However, her biggest breakthrough arrived in 2002 when she portrayed Samara Morgan in The Ring, the American remake of the Japanese horror classic.
Her chilling performance as the ghostly girl crawling out of a television became one of horror cinema’s most memorable moments. The role earned her the MTV Movie Award for Best Villain in 2003.
Speaking about the character in a 2002 interview, Chase said she enjoyed playing someone completely different from the typical child roles offered in Hollywood.
Voice of Disney’s beloved Lilo
The same year, Chase showcased a different side of her talent by voicing Lilo in Disney’s animated hit Lilo & Stitch.
Her heartfelt performance earned widespread praise and won her the Annie Award for Outstanding Voice Acting in an Animated Feature. She continued to voice Lilo in several sequels and television spin-offs, making the character one of Disney’s most beloved young heroines.
Television career included several popular shows
Besides her film work, Chase appeared in several well-known television series.
She made guest appearances in:
- Charmed
- ER
- Touched by an Angel
She also played Rhonda Volmer in HBO’s Big Love, appearing in 32 episodes and earning praise for her performance in the acclaimed drama.
Stepped away from Hollywood
Although she achieved fame at an early age, Chase gradually stepped away from acting and largely retired from full-time work in 2015.
According to her manager, she often declined major studio projects in favour of smaller independent films and preferred spending time at her homes in Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
He said she valued privacy over celebrity status and rarely sought public attention.
Legal troubles later in life
In later years, Chase faced several legal issues. According to reports, she was charged in separate incidents involving drug possession and riding in a stolen vehicle.
Despite those setbacks, she remained remembered by fans for the unforgettable characters she brought to life on screen.
A lasting legacy
Daveigh Chase leaves behind a body of work that touched audiences across generations. While horror fans will always remember her haunting performance in The Ring, Disney fans continue to cherish her voice as Lilo in Lilo & Stitch.
Her performances remain an important part of early 2000s cinema and television, ensuring her legacy will live on for years to come.