Daveigh Chase, the former child star with unforgettable performances in animation and horror movies and a career as one of the world's most recognisable young actresses, has died.
Chase died on June 16 after suffering from meningitis and a blood infection that turned to sepsis. Her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, confirmed that she was in very serious health trouble recently. She had also been hospitalised in Los Angeles earlier this month due to malnutrition.
Born on July 24, 1990, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Chase started her career at a young age and soared to prominence in Hollywood. She made her breakthrough in 2002 as the voice of Lilo Pelekai in Disney’s animated classic Lilo & Stitch. Her honest portrayal of the spirited Hawaiian girl became an international hit and a cherished bond with many generations of viewers.
Chase still voiced Lilo in television adaptations and sequels after her first film’s success, cementing her place in Disney history. And fans have long marvelled at her performances as they have come to see her as warm, funny and emotionally complex in one of the studio’s most cherished characters.
Chase proved her versatility in the horror blockbuster The Ring in the same year by playing Samara Morgan as a supernatural antagonist in one of the most iconic horror performances of all time. She is still one of the most feared horror characters in the 21st century.
Chase also had a great resume that included Donnie Darko, HBO's Big Love, S. Darko, ER, Charmed, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch. She also voiced Chihiro in the English-language version of the acclaimed animated film Spirited Away, demonstrating her ability as a voice actor in multiple genres.
The news of her death elicited an outpouring of grief from fans on social media as people of all ages expressed memories of growing up with Lilo & Stitch and their love of her work in film and television. Online communities of Disney and animation fans were heartbroken at the news of her death and felt sadness for the loss of a great performer whose work has made such a huge impact on childhood memories worldwide.
Although she is missing, Daveigh Chase leaves behind a body of work that lives on in the minds of the people who witnessed her performances. From the tender voice of Lilo to Samara Morgan’s haunted presence in her performances, her work is still very much part of popular culture.
It’s a tragic loss, the actress. The world will remember her through the characters she created and the stories she told.
