Daveigh Chase, the actress known for voicing Lilo in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch and for playing the terrifying Samara in The Ring, has died at age 35. Her longtime manager, John Ryan Jr., confirmed she died in a Los Angeles hospital from sepsis following complications of meningitis. Chase had been admitted earlier for malnourishment, according to Ryan.

Chase began performing as a young child in Las Vegas, doing voiceover work and stage roles from about age four. By seven she had booked her first Hollywood television appearance, a small role on the sitcom Sabrina the Teenage Witch, marking the start of a career that moved quickly from local stages to mainstream film and television.

Her breakthrough came in the early 2000s. In 2001 she appeared as Samantha Darko in Donnie Darko and later reprised a related role in the 2009 follow-up S Darko. In 2002 she became widely recognized worldwide for the role of Samara Morgan in The Ring, the American remake of the Japanese horror film about a cursed videotape.

Chase’s portrayal of Samara — a pale, long-haired child who crawls out of a television to haunt victims — earned major attention and a 2003 MTV Movie Award for Best Villain. Her performance was noted for its chilling physicality and voice work, and it became one of the most enduring horror images of the early 21st century. Chase later described the role as an unusual and memorable challenge that allowed her to find a “freaky twist” on a child’s voice.

That same year Chase won acclaim in a far different role: she voiced Lilo Pelekai, the spirited Hawaiian girl in Disney’s animated hit Lilo & Stitch. Her work on the film brought an Annie Award for Best Voice Acting in an Animated Feature, and she continued to voice Lilo in subsequent spin-offs and related projects. The contrast between Lilo’s warmth and Samara’s menace showcased Chase’s range as a performer.

Across her career Chase appeared in a variety of television series and films. She had guest roles on Charmed, ER and Touched by an Angel and played Rhonda Volmer, a troubled child bride, in 32 episodes of the HBO drama Big Love. Her credits include both independent projects and mainstream studio films, reflecting a career that moved between genres and formats.

Despite early success, Chase stepped away from full-time acting in 2015. Her manager and friend of 15 years, John Ryan Jr., described her as private and not drawn to celebrity life. Ryan said Chase often retreated to her Nevada home and balanced acting work with a quieter personal life. He also noted her love of cats and involvement with cat rescue efforts, saying she preferred comfortable, ordinary pleasures over Hollywood glamour.

In later years Chase faced personal difficulties and several legal issues. Reports indicate she had encounters with law enforcement related to drug possession and joyriding in a reported stolen car. Those matters were part of a period during which she was less active professionally and more focused on private life away from major film sets.

Chase’s death follows a severe medical episode that included meningitis, an inflammatory infection that can affect the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. Complications from meningitis can progress rapidly to sepsis, a life-threatening systemic response to infection. Hospital records and close contacts cited malnourishment as an additional factor prior to her final hospitalization.

Colleagues and fans remember Chase for the distinct characters she brought to life and for a career that began in childhood and left a lasting pop-culture impact. Her performances in both family-friendly animation and horror films created a rare dual legacy: a beloved voice in one of Disney’s enduring properties and a haunting image in a modern horror classic.

Chase’s family and manager have not publicly released further details about memorial arrangements at this time. Tributes from fans and fellow performers have appeared across social media, reflecting the broad cultural reach of her most famous roles. As statements and plans are confirmed, more information may be provided by those close to her.