Daveigh Chase, 'The Ring' actress and the voice of Lilo, dies at 35

moviesJun 17, 20261015,167

Actress Daveigh Chase, who played Samara Morgan in The Ring and voiced Lilo in Lilo & Stitch and Chihiro in the English dub of Spirited Away, died Tuesday at 35 after developing meningitis. Chase first broke out as a child actor playing Samantha Darko in Donnie Darko and later appeared on the HBO series Big Love, building a career across live-action and animation from the early 2000s onward. Her voice work anchored two iconic animated heroines while Samara became one of early-2000s horror's most memorable antagonists, making her performances widely recognizable across generations. Her sudden death highlights both the seriousness of meningitis as a rapidly life-threatening illness and the loss of a distinct creative voice.

Brandon Santiago

@4brandonjs4.bsky.social

Devastated to hear that Daveigh Chase (known for Samara, Lilo, and Chihiro) just passed away. Major condolences to her family and close ones. May she rest in peace.

204845d ago

Brandon Santiago129

Hate that I have to do this again. Especially so soon after Koji Suzuki. This just sucks, man.

Mepharius6

I just found out a moment ago, She was a year younger then me too.

Professional Mr. Phann5

ALL THE WRONG PEOPLE ARE DYING

SharkBuildsBro2

We can remember her and remember her as much as we want to. ❤

Thatbluedemon2

‪It’s such a shame she was taken from us at such a young age. I wish nothing but the best for her family during this difficult time. May she rest peacefully ‬

ExarchDevil2

Legit shock and depressing news to learn. 35 really is too young.

Ackbarfan55562

Oh, God… this one hurts!

ToonHive

@toonhive.bsky.social

Daveigh Chase has sadly passed away at the age of 35. She was best known for her role as Samara in ‘The Ring,’ as well as voicing Lilo in Disney’s ‘Lilo & Stitch’ and Chihiro in the English-language version of ‘Spirited Away.’

82545d ago

TheMovieCriticDude 13

Due to complications of meningitis it says when I looked it up. Totally saddened to hear the loss of the original Lilo who carried the heart of the franchise with Stitch himself. One of the best kid characters by such a young age who passed too young. She taught us the true meaning of Ohana. RIP!😢🕊️🪦

Crash12

She was so young what the fuck

Retropixel1278

I have a question.. For 2026... WHYYYYYY?!?!

CarmineCLoudDinosaur5

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! She should’ve lived longer til she can finally pass away from old age!

Che Whyte4

Farewell, Daveigh. She is always a talented voice actress.

SadSap4

may she rest in peace.

Valt Saber4

My deepest condolences to Daveigh’s family I’m sad to hear this news

Bloody Disgusting

@bloody-disgusting.com

We are very sad to learn that actress Daveigh Chase has passed away at just 35 years old. Chase memorably played Samara in The Ring back in 2002, and also appeared in Donnie Darko. She voiced Lilo in the animated movie Lilo & Stitch, and later starred in the TV series Big Love.

55145d ago

Mayday🀄🦇 Mooncubus13

Why is this how I'm learning that Samara was Lilo...? May she rest in peace...

Craig Carlisle9

Sparkle Motion has lost a member. 😭

Princess Bitch5

how horrible, she was so young

nyk44.bsky.social3

She played Rhonda on Big Love, that's so sad

Dom Rocco2

She was great on Big Love. RIP far too young.

Matt G. ♾️

@artistsince05.bsky.social

In light of the devastating news surrounding the passing of Daveigh Chase, I wanted to pay respects to her by drawing Chihiro from Spirited Away which she voiced in the English dub. You will always be in our hearts and never will you be forgotten. 💐 #traditionalart #humanart #as05 #RIPDaveighChase

Today, in light of the recent devestating news of the passing of Daveigh Chase, I wanted to draw this sketch of Chihiro from Spirited Away of which she voiced her in the English dub.

In all of my years, I've never seen Spirited Away other than Lilo and Stitch, but now even if I want to see the movie right now after years of sleeping out on it...

I think it's an important reminder that life is far too short for each of us and Daveigh was an integral part of our childhood many of us will never forget after hearing the terrible loss at only just 35 years old. Life always is running away from us every second and each of us miss out on why we live through everyday but it's important to look after those we care about even if we don't know some people who never got the chance to know us.

Thank you for everything, Daveigh.

(1990 - 2026) 🕯️💐

22145d ago

Mii✨Mario💫4

she may be gone, but never forgotten

Belzu the One2

I don't care what people say, 35 is still young. She will be missed. It's a very nice tribute though, and Chihiro's gloomy expression really adds to the emotion :(

Bloodsword2

Such a devastating loss, and she was so young too, not too far from my age. Great tribute art, Matt.

Helin & Kosshi, Interstellar Embassy! 🌟2

That is a sweet tribute; thank you for doing this. It is a noble little artwork 🥺

Nome

@nome.bsky.social

I just learned that Daveigh Chase passed - and if you're a millennial, I guarantee you that at least *one* of her roles had a huge impact on you. 35 is so unbelievably young.

Chihiro from Spirited Away, a young girl in a red outfit standing in front of a lantern-lit street, a masked ghost in the background.

18044d ago

✨CHELLE D☯GGO✨(she/they)

@chelledoggo.bsky.social

i was already depressed today. just found out that Daveigh Chase, the voice of Lilo from Lilo and Stitch and Chihiro from Spirited Away, passed away. both films mean a lot to me. as a neurodivergent kid, Lilo was one of the first times i saw myself reflected in media. may she rest in peace.

14145d ago

MattSkywalkingFox 🏳️‍🌈💗💛💙 (happy pride month)5

Spirited Away was what really changed me as a person for the better, Since I felt such a personal connection to Chihiro and her character arc, as she finally learned to accept many values and lessons in life that helped her grow as a person.

Anime News Network

@animenewsnetwork.com

RIP Daveigh Chase, who played Chihiro in Spirited Away, Lilo in Lilo and Stitch, and Samara in The Ring

9445d ago

Dre Higbee

@bunsenmeep2002.bsky.social

ohana means family and family means nobody gets left behind #RIPDaveighChase #ohana #Liloandstitch

8644d ago

🏳️‍🌈 Out Of Context International Dubs 🏳️‍🌈

@outofcontxtdubs.bsky.social

Movie: Spirited Away Language: English Country: United States Rest in peace Daveigh Chase (1990 - 2026) 🕯

6844d ago

Taylor Ledbetter

@tlrledbetter.bsky.social

Lilo has been unfairly ignored in Lilo & Stitch material outside of the films and first series. Out of respect to Daveigh Chase, I think it’s time we stop that erasure and give her as much attention as we do with Stitch. They’re best friends, so they should be a package deal anyway.

7745d ago

Taylor Ledbetter13

The closest we got to fixing this in recent memory was a rejected animated variety show with various Disney characters, with Lilo & Stitch both starring in one of the reoccurring segments. youtu.be/HRmYOwtrb90?...

AndrewKaiko2

they better have a tribute to her in the live-action sequel.

The Guardian

@theguardian.com

Daveigh Chase, child star known for Lilo & Stitch and The Ring, dies aged 35

5745d ago

Jane3

sepsis is awful RIP Daveigh Chase

Karl (Karlamon) 🇳🇿

@karlamon.bsky.social

35 was way too young for Daveigh Chase to leave us. Her voice for Lilo and Chihiro played a major role in these two animated protagionists being so beloved. A remarkable talent for a child actress. We'll miss you deeply Daveigh. Thank you. Mahalo nui loa. Arigatō gozaimasu.

3845d ago

Anna Holmes

@annabookwriter.bsky.social

My god. Sepsis from meningitis. Younger than I am. She voiced Chihiro in the English dub of Spirited Away. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

4144d ago

Lev Mirov2

What an absolutely awful way to die. :/

Stefan Ellison

@mrcoat.bsky.social

This is such a shock. In the span of a year, Daveigh Chase charmed and made audiences laugh as Lilo, scared them as Samara and made them emotional as Chihiro. Three unforgettable performances.

3445d ago

💙Nat❤️

@missnatzooie.bsky.social

Very shocked and saddened to hear this, I love Lilo and Stitch, and I adore Spirited Away, hearing this is devastating. 💔 Sending my love and condolences to her family and friends, it's shocking that she passed very young. Rest in Peace Daveigh Chase, thank you for everything. ❤️

3945d ago

2 sources

tmz.comDaveigh Chase, Star of 'The Ring' and 'Lilo & Stitch,' Dead at 35 trib.alDaveigh Chase, star of ‘The Ring’ and ‘Lilo & Stitch’, dead at 35

TCM Party screens The Towering Inferno, part of disaster-movie spotlightmovies Daveigh Chase, 'The Ring' actress and the voice of Lilo, dies at 35movies

Daveigh Chase, 'The Ring' actress and the voice of Lilo, dies at 35

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