THE APEX TIMES
Daveigh Chase, voice of Lilo in Disney’s ‘Lilo & Stitch,’ dies at 35 in Los Angeles
The actress, known for playing the “Lilo” character in the animated film and for appearing as Samara in ‘The Ring,’ died this month, according to BBC Entertainment & Arts.
Daveigh Chase, the actress who voiced Lilo in Disney’s 2002 animated film Lilo & Stitch and portrayed the child ghost Samara in the 2002 horror film The Ring, has died at age 35 in Los Angeles, BBC Entertainment & Arts reported on June 29. The report said Chase’s cause of death was AIDS.
BBC said Chase died in Los Angeles “this month,” without specifying an exact date. It also described her career highlights as including the Lilo & Stitch role and a memorable scene in The Ring in which the character crawls out of a television.
Chase’s work in the Lilo & Stitch franchise placed her at the center of a family-oriented property that has remained widely watched, with subsequent seasons and related productions drawing new audiences over the years. Her voice performance as Lilo helped establish the character’s identity in an early Disney animated era that blended humor with themes of family and belonging, according to the film’s lasting public profile.
The Ring, in contrast, is part of a mainstream horror cycle that emphasized visual set pieces and distinctive imagery. The BBC report specifically referenced the crawling-out-of-the-TV moment associated with the film’s premise and its central antagonist character, tying Chase to one of the franchise’s best known images.
Beyond those signature roles, Chase’s death is likely to renew attention on health conditions and end-of-life circumstances for performers, particularly where public discussion can be shaped by how and when medical information is released. The report attributed the cause of death to AIDS but did not provide additional medical detail beyond that designation.
As of the BBC report, no further official statement from Chase’s family, representatives, or studios was cited in the coverage provided here. Industry and audience attention may shift next to how her past credits are cataloged, how fan-facing tributes and press archives are updated, and whether additional information emerges from those closest to the late actress.
Her passing at 35 also raises the question of how quickly public records and entertainment listings may be corrected or annotated following a death, especially for performers whose work spans both animation and feature films. For viewers, the immediate effect is renewed streaming and rewatching interest in the two films highlighted by the BBC report, as well as continued discussion of the roles that brought her prominence.
Why It Matters
- The death of a prominent actress associated with major mainstream titles is likely to prompt renewed public attention to her most widely known roles.
- A reported AIDS-related cause of death may influence how entertainment outlets and fan communities discuss public health and medical end-of-life circumstances.
- Chase’s passing affects ongoing cataloging and credit records across film and animation databases, where updates often follow new reporting.
- Because her work spans both family animation and horror feature film, her death may be reflected across different audience groups and viewing platforms.
Key Facts
- Daveigh Chase, who voiced Lilo in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and played Samara in The Ring, died in Los Angeles at age 35.
- BBC Entertainment & Arts reported that Chase’s cause of death was AIDS.
- BBC reported that Chase died “this month” and did not give an exact date in the provided coverage.
- BBC highlighted Chase’s involvement in a scene in The Ring where her character crawls out of a television.
- The BBC report was published on June 29, 2026.