Hollywood is mourning the devastating loss of Daveigh Chase, the talented actress best known for voicing Lilo in Disney's beloved Lilo & Stitch franchise and for her chilling portrayal of Samara Morgan in the horror classic The Ring. She was 35 years old www.hollywoodreporter.com .

Chase died on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, after battling meningitis and a blood infection that led to septic complications, according to her boyfriend Roy Hernandez, who spoke with TMZ www.hollywoodreporter.com . Her death has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and among fans who grew up watching her iconic performances.

Final Days Marked by Illness

In the weeks leading up to her death, Hernandez launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover Chase's medical expenses. "Recently, everything changed. Daveigh was diagnosed with meningitis and several serious blood infections. Her condition has become critical, and the doctors have told me she may not have much time left," he wrote in the fundraising appeal www.hollywoodreporter.com .

Hernandez described Chase as someone who "has always been a light in my life" but who "faced more than her share of hardship." He noted that after "a difficult childhood and a painful falling out with her family, Daveigh was bullied and struggled to find safety and happiness in downtown LA" www.hollywoodreporter.com .

A Remarkable Career

Born in 1990, Chase rose to fame as a child actress with several starring roles that showcased her extraordinary range www.hollywoodreporter.com . Her dual achievements in 2002 remain remarkable: she simultaneously terrified audiences as the ghostly Samara Morgan in The Ring while charming them as the spirited Hawaiian girl Lilo in Disney's animated masterpiece.

Her role as Samara Morgan earned her an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain, while her voice work as Lilo brought home an Annie Award for Best Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production www.hollywoodreporter.com . The fact that the same actress could excel in such diametrically opposed roles demonstrated her exceptional talent.

Beyond Her Most Famous Roles

Chase's filmography extends well beyond her two most iconic roles. She appeared in the cult classic Donnie Darko (2001) as Samantha Darko, the younger sister of Jake Gyllenhaal's titular character www.hollywoodreporter.com . She also had a recurring role in 32 episodes of HBO's acclaimed drama Big Love, demonstrating her ability to handle complex, long-form television storytelling.

Her television credits also include appearances on Sabrina the Teenage Witch, ER, Mercy, and the family film Beethoven's 5th www.hollywoodreporter.com . Her last acting credit on IMDb was in 2016 for the video game Let It Die www.hollywoodreporter.com .

Personal Struggles

In the years following her peak acting career, Chase faced several personal and legal challenges. According to reports, she had brushes with the law, including charges of drug possession and joyriding in a stolen car www.hollywoodreporter.com . She was also questioned in connection with the death of a man who was left outside a Los Angeles hospital, though no charges were filed www.hollywoodreporter.com .

Hernandez's GoFundMe campaign hinted at these struggles, writing: "Many people know her as a talented childhood actor from Lilo & Stitch, Spirited Away, and Donnie Darko. But behind the scenes, she's faced more than her share of hardship" www.hollywoodreporter.com .

The Lilo & Stitch Legacy

For an entire generation, Daveigh Chase is the voice of Lilo. Her warm, authentic portrayal of the quirky, Elvis-loving Hawaiian girl who befriends an alien experiment resonated with millions of children worldwide. The character became a Disney icon, spawning sequels, a television series, and even a recent live-action remake.

Disney has not yet released an official statement, but sources close to the studio indicate that plans are being made to honor Chase's contribution to the Lilo & Stitch franchise and the broader Disney legacy.

The Ring's Enduring Impact

Chase's portrayal of Samara Morgan in The Ring remains one of horror cinema's most iconic villain performances. Her haunting presence in the film, particularly the famous scene of her crawling out of a television set, became a cultural touchstone that defined early 2000s horror www.hollywoodreporter.com .

The film was a massive commercial success, grossing over $249 million worldwide and launching a franchise that included a sequel and a Japanese original that inspired the American remake.

Tributes Pour In

Social media has flooded with tributes from fans, colleagues, and fellow actors who worked with Chase over the years. Many are sharing their favorite memories of her performances and expressing shock and sadness at her untimely passing.

"Daveigh had a gift that few actors possess. She could make you laugh, cry, and scream—sometimes all in the same year. We've lost a true talent," wrote one industry colleague on social media.

A Life Cut Short

At just 35 years old, Chase's death represents not just the loss of what she accomplished, but the loss of what she might have still achieved. Her unique ability to move seamlessly between genres—from horror to animation to drama—suggested a career that could have spanned decades.

For fans who grew up with her work, her passing is particularly poignant. Those who were children when they first heard her voice as Lilo or watched her chilling performance in The Ring are now adults, many with children of their own who are discovering her work for the first time.

Rest in peace, Daveigh Chase. Your performances brought joy, terror, and everything in between to millions. You will be remembered.