Source : PERTHNOW NEWS
Actress Daveigh Chase, famous for voicing Lilo in Disney’s Lilo and Stitch, has died at the age of 35.
The former child star, who was also well known for her role as Samara in the early 2000s hit horror film The Ring, died on Tuesday.
Chase’s boyfriend Roy Hernandez broke the news to US outlet TMZ, saying the actress died in hospital after suffering from meningitis, which led to sepsis.
Hernandez said Chase had been admitted to a hospital in Los Angeles earlier in the month because of malnutrition.
Shortly before she died, Hernandez created a fundraiser to help with Chase’s medical and end of life care.
“Daveigh Chase, my girlfriend, has always been a light in my life. Many people know her as a talented childhood actor from ‘Lilo and Stitch,’ ‘Spirited Away,’ and ‘Donnie Darko.’ But behind the scenes, she’s faced more than her share of hardship,” he said in the GoFundMe.
“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.”
Hernandez said everything changed when Chase 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. All she ever wanted was a place where we could live together, feel safe, and be happy. Now, more than ever, I want to give her that sense of home and peace in her final days,” he said.
Chase’s big Hollywood break came when she landed the role of voicing Lilo in the 2002 hit animated film Lilo and Stitch and in the follow-up TV show, the former of which earned her an Annie Award for Outstanding Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production in 2003.
She is perhaps best known for her performance as Samara Morgan in 2002, staring alongside Naomi Watts in The Ring. Her haunting performance as a paranormal spectre which climbs out of the TV won her an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain.
Chase continued her voice acting career when she was cast to portray Chihiro in the Studio Ghibli classic Spirited Away, also released in 2002.
In 2006 she landed a recurring role in the HBO series Big Love about a polygamist Mormon family in Utah.
She also appeared in cult favourite movie Donnie Darko alongside Jake Gyllenhaal, as well as TV shows Sabrina the Teenage Witch, ER and Mercy.
Fans began flooding Chase’s social media with messages of shock and heartbreak over the stars sudden death.
“Rest in peace. Huge part of my childhood. I’m so sorry.”
“RIP, you were an amazing actress.”
“I didn’t want it to be true… RIP, Daveigh. I hope you’re brought to a place as mystical as the world in Spirited Away.”
