In brief
Actor Daveigh Chase, known for her chilling role as Samara Morgan in The Ring and as the voice of Lilo in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, has died at age 35. She had been admitted to a Los Angeles hospital for malnourishment and died from sepsis following meningitis. Chase began acting as a child, landing a role in Sabrina: The Teenage Witch at seven. Over the years, she earned an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain and an Annie Award for voice acting. While she turned down many Hollywood offers to pursue independent projects, she remained a beloved figure in both live‑action and animation.
Veteran actress and voice‑actor Daveigh Chase, 35, has tragically died after a bout with sepsis linked to meningitis.
She was admitted to a Los Angeles hospital earlier this week with severe malnutrition. The diagnosis, provided by her longtime manager John Ryan Jr., confirmed that Chase succumbed to complications of sepsis.
Chase’s career began in childhood; by seven she had a role in the sitcom Sabrina: The Teenage Witch. She later rose to global fame as Samara Morgan in the 2002 horror remake The Ring and voiced the beloved Hawaiian girl Lilo in Disney’s 2002 animated feature Lilo & Stitch.
Her performances earned her an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain (2003) and an Annie Award for Best Voice Acting. Despite offers from major studios, Chase regularly chose lesser‑known projects and spent many years retreating to her homes in Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
Legal troubles later in life and a penchant for animal rescue work rounded out a complex public persona. Her death leaves fans and colleagues – including Bob’s Big Boy patrons and cat‑rescues – mourning the loss of a talented performer who cherished simple pleasures over Hollywood glamour.
