Daveigh Chase, best known for terrifying audiences as Samara Morgan in the horror hit The Ring and voicing Lilo Pelekai in Disney's beloved Lilo & Stitch, has died at the age of 35 following complications from meningitis and sepsis, according to reports.
While many fans remember Chase for crawling out of a television set in one of horror cinema's most iconic scenes, her career extended far beyond The Ring. Long before becoming a horror icon, Chase had already established herself as one of Hollywood's most recognizable child actors.
Born in Las Vegas in 1990, Chase began appearing in television shows and commercials before landing a string of high-profile roles in the early 2000s. Her breakthrough year came in 2002, when she voiced Lilo in Disney's animated film Lilo & Stitch and portrayed Samara Morgan in The Ring. Both performances would become defining moments of her career.
The Voice Behind Lilo
For an entire generation, Chase was best known as the voice of Lilo, the quirky and independent Hawaiian girl at the heart of Disney's family classic. Her performance helped turn Lilo & Stitch into one of Disney's most beloved animated franchises, leading to appearances in sequels and television adaptations.
Becoming a Horror Legend
That same year, Chase delivered a performance that would make her a household name among horror fans. As Samara Morgan in The Ring, she played the supernatural child whose cursed videotape became a cultural phenomenon. The role earned her widespread recognition and later an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain.
A Connection to Spirited Away
Many fans may not realize that Chase also voiced Chihiro in the English-language version of Spirited Away, introducing countless Western audiences to the acclaimed animated masterpiece from Hayao Miyazaki.
Other Notable Roles
Beyond her most famous performances, Chase appeared in Donnie Darko alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and later gained attention for her recurring role as Rhonda Volmer in the HBO drama Big Love. She also appeared in popular television series including ER, Charmed, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
A Career That Defined a Generation
Few child actors can claim to have left their mark on both family entertainment and horror cinema. Yet Chase managed exactly that, becoming the voice of one of Disney's most beloved characters while simultaneously creating one of the most unforgettable villains in modern horror.
For many fans, Daveigh Chase will always be remembered as the girl who taught audiences the meaning of "ohana"—and the one who made them think twice before answering a ringing telephone.