Remembering Daveigh Chase: Her Most Iconic Roles and Where to Watch Them

Daveigh Chase.
Fatima Castillo
By Fatima CastilloFilm & TV Writer

Daveigh Chase.
  • Primary Subject: The passing of actress Daveigh Chase and where to stream her most memorable film and television roles.
  • Key Update: Former child star Daveigh Chase passed away at age 35 following a sudden health crisis involving meningitis and sepsis.
  • Status: Confirmed
  • Last Verified: June 18, 2026
  • Quick Answer: Daveigh Chase died on June 16, 2026, from multi-organ failure caused by sepsis. Her major works are available across major platforms like Disney+, Max, and Peacock.

The entertainment world mourns the tragic loss of Daveigh Chase, who passed away on June 16, 2026, at the age of 35. Her manager and boyfriend confirmed that Chase succumbed to multi-organ failure brought on by sepsis, which developed complications of meningitis and a severe blood infection.

Chase was a uniquely talented performer who left an indelible mark on Hollywood at a very young age. In the early 2000s, she reached the incredible feat of capturing hearts as a sweet Disney heroine, and yet still terrified audiences as one of the most famous horror villains in cinema history. To honor her legacy, here is a guide to her most iconic roles, their premises, and where you can stream them today.

Spirited Away (2001)

Ever wonder who voiced the 10-year-old Chihiro in Spirited Away's English dub version? Daveigh Chase was the emotional anchor for the English-language dub in Hayao Miyazaki's Academy Award-winning masterpiece.

Spirited Away follows Chihiro, a young girl who wandered into a magical world ruled by gods, witches, and spirits after her parents transform into pigs, forcing her to work in a mystical bathhouse for their freedom.

Donnie Darko (2001)

In Donnie Darko, Daveigh played Samantha Darko, the innocent dance troupe member, younger sister of Donnie (Jake Gyllenhaal). The film follows the titular troubled teenager who narrowly escapes a bizarre accident, only to be plagued by visions of a man in a large, menacing rabbit suit who keeps manipulating him into committing crimes.

Chase later reprised the role of Samantha as the lead in the 2009 sequel, S. Darko.

A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)

In a futuristic society, a highly advanced robotic boy programmed with the ability to love seeks to become "real" so he can regain the affection of his human mother. In A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Chase provided the voice and motion capture for the Child / Betadoom segments in Steven Spielberg's sci-fi epic.

Lilo & Stitch (2002-2006)

Daveigh Chase voiced the titular Lilo Pelekai in the original 2002 film, earning an Annie Award for her performance, perhaps marking the Disney figure as her most iconic role from the list. She continued to voice the Elvis-loving girl across sequels and the popular Disney Channel animated series up until 2006.

The Ring (2002)

Another major role Daveigh Chase definitely stood out in was for her most physically recognizable live-action role as Samara Morgan, the vengeful ghost with long black hair crawling out of television sets in The Ring. In the 2002 horror film, a journalist investigates a cursed videotape that seemingly kills anyone exactly seven days after they watch it. Chase won the MTV Movie Award for Best Villain for her chilling performance.

The Rats (2002)

What happens when a colony of genetically altered, hyper-intelligent, and highly aggressive rats infests a department store in Manhattan? The Rats movie shows Daveigh Chase playing Amy Costello, the young daughter of the store manager, who finds herself caught in the middle of the deadly infestation.

Beethoven's 5th (2003)

Stepping into the family-comedy realm, Chase stars as the lead child protagonist, Sara Newton, in Beethoven's 5th, who takes Beethoven on vacation to her eccentric uncle's town.

Beethoven's 5th finds the beloved, chaotic St. Bernard spending his vacation in an old mining town where he digs up a missing clue to a long-lost fortune, which leads to a frantic treasure hunt!

Big Love (2006-2011)

Big Love follows a modern polygamist who tries to balance the complex emotional, financial, and legal demands of managing three wives, three separate households, and nine children in Utah. Daveigh Chase played Rhonda Volmer, a manipulative and complex young girl raised in a fundamentalist polygamist compound, and appeared in 32 episodes of the critically acclaimed series.

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