LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Hollywood actress Daveigh Chase, best known for voicing Lilo in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and playing Samara in The Ring, has died at the age of 35 after battling serious health complications.
Her passing was confirmed by her manager and longtime friend, John Ryan Jr., who disclosed that the actress died in a Los Angeles hospital after developing severe health complications.
According to Ryan, Chase was admitted to hospital on Wednesday due to malnourishment following a period of extreme weight loss.
Her condition later worsened after she was diagnosed with meningitis and multiple bloodstream infections, which ultimately led to sepsis.
Paying tribute to the late actress, Ryan described her as a private person who preferred a quiet life away from the spotlight.
“She was the greatest. She loved cats. She worked with cat rescues with us. She was very to herself. She was not very Hollywood. 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,” he said.
Born on July 24, 1990, Chase began her acting career at just four years old and landed her first major Hollywood role at the age of seven.
She remained active in the industry for years before stepping away from full-time acting in 2015.
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The actress rose to international fame in 2002 after voicing Lilo in Disney’s blockbuster animated film Lilo & Stitch.
Her performance earned her an Annie Award in 2003, and she continued to voice the beloved character in subsequent films and television projects within the franchise.
Beyond animation, Chase became a familiar face to horror fans through her chilling portrayal of Samara Morgan in The Ring.
The role earned her an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain and remains one of the most memorable performances of her career.
She also voiced Chihiro Ogino in the English-language version of Spirited Away and later secured a recurring role in the acclaimed HBO series Big Love, appearing in 32 episodes as Rhonda Volmer over five seasons.
Throughout her career, Chase built an impressive filmography that included roles in Donnie Darko, Beethoven’s 5th, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, ER, and Mercy.
Tributes have continued to pour in from fans around the world, many remembering Chase for the iconic characters she brought to life on screen and through her voice work.
Her performances left a lasting mark on both animation and film, ensuring her legacy will endure.
