According to TMZ, as reported in its coverage based on information from her boyfriend, Chase died Tuesday after being hospitalized in Los Angeles earlier this month for malnutrition. Her condition reportedly worsened due to meningitis and a blood infection that developed into septic complications.
From Child Stardom to Cult Film Recognition
The career of Daveigh Chase began in childhood, with early television appearances that quickly led to more prominent roles across film and animation. She gained widespread attention after being cast as the voice of Lilo Pelekai in “Lilo & Stitch,” a performance that became central to one of Disney’s most enduring early 2000s franchises.
She also earned acclaim for her English voice performance as the title character in “Spirited Away,” further establishing her as a recognizable presence in voice acting during that period. Around the same time, she expanded into live action roles, including an early appearance in “Donnie Darko,” where she played the protagonist’s younger sister.
Her profile rose further with her portrayal of Samara Morgan in “The Ring,” a role that became one of the defining images of early 2000s horror and introduced her to a broader global audience. The character’s impact extended into subsequent entries in the franchise through archival footage usage.
In later years, Chase continued working across television and independent film, including a supporting role in the HBO series “Big Love,” which ran through the late 2000s and early 2010s. Her screen appearances gradually became less frequent, with her last credited film roles arriving in the mid 2010s before she stepped away from acting altogether.