Daveigh Chase, the actress known for voicing Lilo in Disney's "Lilo & Stitch" and starring in Gore Verbinski's horror remake "The Ring," died at age 35. She passed away from sepsis following meningitis in a Los Angeles hospital, according to her longtime manager.
Chase built a career across voice acting, film, and television. Her role as the scrappy protagonist Lilo Pelekai became iconic for a generation of Disney viewers when the 2002 animated film hit theaters. The character's infectious energy and rebellious spirit defined much of the film's emotional core. Beyond animation, Chase appeared in live-action features including "Donnie Darko" and television work that spanned from the early 2000s onward.
Her casting in "The Ring" remake proved her range as an actress. The 2002 film, starring Naomi Watts, featured Chase in a supporting role within one of the decade's most influential horror properties. The film's commercial success and cultural impact cemented her place in genre cinema alongside her Disney credentials.
Chase also built a following through social media and remained active in the entertainment industry in recent years. Her sudden death from meningitis-related sepsis marks a loss for the voice acting and film communities.
Sepsis, a life-threatening condition triggered by infection, develops when the body's response to infection injures its own tissues and organs. Meningitis, inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, can progress rapidly and become fatal without treatment.