Daveigh Chase Bio, Age, Height, Family, Career, Salary, Net Worth & More

Daveigh Chase was an American actress, singer, and voice artist who captivated audiences worldwide with her remarkable versatility—voicing the beloved Lilo in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch while simultaneously terrifying millions as Samara Morgan in The Ring. Born in Las Vegas and raised in Albany, Oregon, she became one of Hollywood’s most iconic child stars of the early 2000s before stepping away from the spotlight. Tragically, she passed away in June 2026 at the age of 35, leaving behind a powerful legacy in animation, horror, and television drama.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Daveigh Elizabeth Chase was born on July 24, 1990, in Las Vegas, Nevada, to parents Cathy Chase and John Schwallier. After her parents divorced, her name was changed to Daveigh Elizabeth Chase, and she was raised primarily in the small town of Albany, Oregon—a community she always considered home.

Her love for performing began almost as soon as she could walk. Inspired by watching other children on television, particularly Barney & Friends, Daveigh began singing publicly at age three and performing at local community events and shows throughout Oregon. By age four, she was already captivating small audiences with her vocal talent.

At age seven, during a family visit to Los Angeles, she landed her first commercial for Campbell’s Soup—a pivotal moment that opened the door to professional acting. Shortly after, she was offered a starring role in the musical theatre production Utah!, which further solidified her passion for the stage and screen.

Career Journey

Early Beginnings (1998–2001)

Daveigh’s professional career kicked off in 1998 with a guest appearance on Sabrina, the Teenage Witch. She quickly built momentum with roles in television films like Michael Landon, The Father I Knew (1999), where she played Shawna Landon at age eight. She also made memorable guest appearances on hit shows including Charmed, ER, The Practice, and Touched by an Angel.

Her first major feature film role came in 2001 with Richard Kelly’s cult classic Donnie Darko, where she played Samantha Darko, the younger sister of Jake Gyllenhaal’s character. That same year, she contributed vocals to Steven Spielberg’s A.I. Artificial Intelligence, handpicked by the legendary director himself to sing “God Bless America.”

Breakthrough Year: 2002

The year 2002 proved to be the defining moment of Daveigh’s career. She voiced the lead character, Chihiro Ogino, in the English-language dub of Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award-winning Spirited Away—a performance praised for its emotional authenticity and vulnerability.

But it was her dual release of Lilo & Stitch and The Ring that cemented her status as a Hollywood powerhouse. As the voice of Lilo Pelekai, she brought warmth, quirkiness, and heart to Disney’s Hawaiian heroine, winning an Annie Award for Outstanding Voice Acting. Simultaneously, her bone-chilling portrayal of Samara Morgan in The Ring made her the face of one of the most iconic horror films of the decade.

Television Success & Voice Acting (2003–2011)

Following her breakthrough, Daveigh starred as Joyce in FOX’s Oliver Beene (2003–2004) and continued voicing Lilo in Lilo & Stitch: The Series (2003–2006), which ran for 65 episodes. She also voiced Betsy in the PBS animated series Betsy’s Kindergarten Adventures (2007).

From 2006 to 2011, she delivered a critically acclaimed performance as Rhonda Volmer in HBO’s Big Love, playing a complex, manipulative teenager entangled in a polygamist family. The role showcased her dramatic range and earned her praise for navigating morally ambiguous territory.

Later Career & Hiatus (2009–2016)

Daveigh reprised her role as Samantha Darko in S. Darko (2009), the sequel to Donnie Darko. She continued working in independent films, including Killer Crush (2015), Wild in Blue (2015), American Romance (2016), and Jack Goes Home (2016). She also lent her voice to the video game Let It Die (2016).

After 2016, Daveigh stepped away from acting entirely, entering what many speculated was a permanent hiatus from Hollywood.

Personal Life

Daveigh’s personal life was marked by both creative passion and significant hardship. She was in a relationship with Roy Hernandez at the time of her death. Hernandez was by her side during her final days and started a GoFundMe campaign to support her medical expenses, writing poignantly about her struggles: “All she ever wanted was a place where we could live together, feel safe, and be happy.”

According to Hernandez, Daveigh faced bullying, a painful falling out with her family, and struggled to find safety and happiness in Los Angeles after leaving Hollywood in 2017. Despite these challenges, she maintained close bonds with friends in the industry, including fellow actress Dakota Fanning, who took over the voice of Lilo in Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch.

Outside of acting, Daveigh was an avid surfer, horseback rider, dancer, and reader. She had a dog named Rosie and a cat named Kiki.

Awards & Achievements

Daveigh Chase’s trophy cabinet, though modest in number, was filled with prestigious accolades:

• Annie Award (2003) — Outstanding Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production for Lilo & Stitch
• MTV Movie Award (2003) — Best Villain for The Ring (famously beating Mike Myers, Colin Farrell, Willem Dafoe, and Daniel Day-Lewis)
• Young Artist Award (2003) — Best Performance in a Voice-Over Role for Lilo & Stitch
• Phoenix Film Critics Society Award Nomination (2003) — Best Performance by a Youth in a Leading or Supporting Role for both Lilo & Stitch and The Ring
• Young Artist Award Nomination (2002) — Best Performance in a TV Drama Series for Touched by an Angel

Physical Statistics

Quotes

“I just want to make something that I love and that people will respect.” — Interview Magazine, 2009

“I want to do things that will change someone’s life, not something they’ll forget about tomorrow.” — BrainyQuote

“I like dark, dramatic roles; they’re just really powerful and real.” — IMDb Quotes

Controversies

Daveigh Chase’s post-Hollywood years were marred by a series of legal troubles that kept her name in headlines for unfortunate reasons:

• February 2017: Questioned by LAPD after an unresponsive man was found outside a Los Angeles hospital; the man later died. Daveigh was not charged in connection with the death but was arrested on outstanding warrants.
• November 2017: Arrested for felony unauthorized use of a vehicle (joyriding in a stolen BMW) during a Hollywood traffic stop. She posted $25,000 bail.
• August 2018: Arrested by LAPD for misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. She spent two hours in jail before posting $1,000 bail.
• 2019: Multiple arrests for substance possession, with bail reaching as high as $60,000.
• March 2022: Arrested for possession of a controlled substance and burglary tools, with bail set at $50,000.
• July 2023: Arrested again on outstanding warrants.

These incidents painted a troubling picture of a former child star struggling with substance abuse and legal issues, contributing to her withdrawal from public life.

Salary & Net Worth

At the time of her death, Daveigh Chase had an estimated net worth of approximately $3 million, accumulated through her extensive work in film, television, voice acting, and video games. While her exact salary figures for individual projects were never publicly disclosed, child stars of her caliber during the early 2000s typically earned between $15,000 to $100,000 per episode for television series, with feature film roles commanding significantly higher fees.

Her voice work for Disney’s Lilo & Stitch franchise—including the film, television series, direct-to-video sequels, and video games—likely provided substantial residual income over the years. Her role in HBO’s Big Love (32 episodes over five seasons) would have also contributed significantly to her earnings.

Interesting Facts

1. Dual Iconic Releases in 2002: Daveigh voiced Lilo in Lilo & Stitch and played Samara in The Ring—two completely opposite characters released in the same year, showcasing her incredible range.
2. Beat Hollywood Legends for MTV Award: At the 2003 MTV Movie Awards, she won Best Villain against Mike Myers, Colin Farrell, Willem Dafoe, and Daniel Day-Lewis.
3. Steven Spielberg Handpicked Her: She was personally chosen by Spielberg to sing “God Bless America” in A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001).
4. Opened for Reba McEntire: At age nine, she served as lead singer for a small band and opened for country music legend Reba McEntire at the Oregon Jamboree.
5. Best Friends with Dakota Fanning: Dakota Fanning voiced Lilo in Lilo & Stitch 2, taking over the role from her real-life best friend Daveigh.
6. Sang National Anthem A Cappella: She performed the U.S. National Anthem a cappella at the 2002 American Veteran Awards.
7. Recorded Four Original Songs: Though she abandoned plans for a full album to focus on acting, she did record four original tracks.
8. Last Acting Role: Her final credited role was in the 2016 horror film Jack Goes Home and the video game Let It Die.

Social Media Links

Daveigh’s social media presence faded around 2017, coinciding with her departure from Hollywood and increasing personal struggles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How old was Daveigh Chase when she played Samara in The Ring? A: Daveigh was approximately 11–12 years old when she filmed The Ring (2002), which was released when she was 12.

Q: What was Daveigh Chase’s cause of death? A: She died on June 16, 2026, from sepsis caused by meningitis and several serious blood infections, according to her boyfriend Roy Hernandez.

Q: Did Daveigh Chase win any awards for Lilo & Stitch? A: Yes, she won an Annie Award for Outstanding Voice Acting and a Young Artist Award for her performance as Lilo.

Q: Why did Daveigh Chase stop acting? A: She stepped away from Hollywood around 2016–2017. While no official reason was given, reports suggest she struggled with personal issues, legal troubles, and a desire to leave the spotlight.

Q: Was Daveigh Chase married? A: No, she was never married. At the time of her death, she was in a relationship with Roy Hernandez.

Q: What other famous roles did Daveigh Chase voice? A: Besides Lilo, she voiced Chihiro in the English dub of Spirited Away and Betsy in Betsy’s Kindergarten Adventures.

Q: Where was Daveigh Chase raised? A: She was born in Las Vegas but raised in Albany, Oregon.

Conclusion

Daveigh Chase’s life was a tapestry of extraordinary talent, early success, and profound struggle. From the sunny shores of Hawaii as Lilo to the dark well of horror as Samara, she proved herself one of the most versatile performers of her generation. Though her later years were shadowed by personal challenges and legal troubles, her contributions to film, animation, and television remain indelible. At just 35, she left us far too soon—but her voice, her performances, and her impact on pop culture will echo for generations.

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