Daveigh Chase, a former child star who voiced Lilo in Disney's Lilo & Stitch and played the eerie girl in The Ring, has died at the age of 35 from meningitis.
The news was confirmed by her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, who told TMZ that Chase had been suffering from meningitis, which led to sepsis. On a GoFundMe page, Hernandez wrote: "Daveigh Chase, my girlfriend, has always been a light in my life. 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."
He added: "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. When we met, I promised to protect her and give her the love and comfort she deserved. Together, we found moments of happiness and hope. 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."
Career Highlights
Daveigh made her on-screen debut on Sabrina the Teenage Witch in 1997, appearing in the episode "Christmas Amnesia." A year later, she starred in the TV movie Michael Landon, The Father I Knew. She also had guest roles in Charmed, The Practice, and ER.
Her big break came in 2001 when she played the sister of Jake Gyllenhaal's character in Donnie Darko. She later reprised the role in the sequel S. Darko. In 2002, she landed the title role in Disney's Lilo & Stitch, voicing Lilo in the film and its sequels, including Stitch! The Movie and Leroy & Stitch, as well as the TV series Lilo & Stitch: The Series.
Live-Action Roles
Chase's most notable live-action role was as the creepy girl crawling out of a TV in The Ring, a remake of the Japanese film Ringu. At age 16, she was cast in HBO's Big Love as Rhonda Volmer, appearing alongside Bill Paxton, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloë Sevigny, and Ginnifer Goodwin.
She also appeared in films such as Yellow, Little Red Wagon, Jack Goes Home, and American Romance. Additionally, she voiced the titular character in over 60 episodes of the children's TV series Betsy's Kindergarten Adventures.
