RIP

Daveigh Chase, star of ‘The Ring,’ ‘Donnie Darko,’ and ‘Lilo & Stitch,’ dies at 35

The actress died from a meningitis infection.

Update: Jun 17th, 2026 22:40 CEST

One of Hollywood’s rising stars has passed away. Sources at TMZ have confirmed the death of Daveigh Chase at age 35. The actress had been hospitalized recently due to meningitis. The infection spread to her bloodstream and caused sepsis, which ultimately claimed her life.

Daveigh Chase: A short but impactful film career

Daveigh Chase’s career was shaped from a very young age by an unusual combination of commercial successes, iconic roles, and a gradual withdrawal from the media spotlight. Her career, which began in childhood, is one of the most recognizable examples of the phenomenon of child stars who emerged in the early 21st century.

Chase began working in the entertainment industry in the late 1990s, initially in advertising and small television roles. In 2001, she played Samantha Darko in ‘Donnie Darko,’ one of the cult classics of modern horror cinema. Her big break came in 2002, a pivotal year in her career. On the one hand, she lent her voice to the title character in ‘Lilo & Stitch’ (2002), a Disney production in which she voiced Lilo herself. The film became a global hit and established the actress as one of the most promising child actors of her generation.

That same year, she brought Samara Morgan to life in ‘The Ring’ (2002), one of the most influential horror films of its time. Her unsettling portrayal of the girl linked to a viral curse heightened the character’s cultural impact and cemented her place in the genre’s collective imagination. The contrast between Lilo’s innocence and the unsettling Samara demonstrated her acting versatility at an unusually young age.

At the same time, Chase also worked as a voice actress in the English-language version of ‘Spirited Away’ (2001), directed by Hayao Miyazaki, where she voiced the lead character, Chihiro. The film’s international acclaim—it won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature—helped propel her career beyond the United States.

Over the next decade, the actress balanced roles in independent films with television appearances. Among her most notable works is her role in the HBO series ‘Big Love’ (2006), in which she played Rhonda Volmer for several seasons. This role allowed her to evolve into more complex characters, moving away from childlike roles.

Daveigh Chase, star of ‘The Ring,’ ‘Donnie Darko,’ and ‘Lilo & Stitch,’ dies at 35

Despite these milestones, Daveigh Chase’s career gradually faded throughout the 2010s. Her on-screen appearances became sporadic and focused on lower-profile productions. In addition, various personal problems and legal issues contributed to the erosion of her public image, accelerating her withdrawal from major industry projects.

Artistically speaking, Chase embodied the difficult transition from child stardom to establishing oneself as an adult in Hollywood. His story will forever be captured on the big screen.