Actress Daveigh Chase dies at the age of 35

Daveigh Chase became known worldwide for her role as the ghostly girl Samara Morgan in the 2002 horror film "The Ring." In the remake of the Japanese film "Ringu," she portrayed a child whose death is connected in an eerie way to a cursed videotape. The scene in which Samara crawls out of the television is still considered one of the most iconic shock moments in film history.

Career beginnings as a child star

Chase had already received her first role in a Hollywood television production at the age of seven: she appeared in a guest role in the sitcom "Sabrina the Teenage Witch!" Later, she lent her voice to the figure Lilo as the voice actress for the Disney hit film "Lilo & Stitch" from 2002 as well as the associated television series. In doing so, she shaped a character that became formative for an entire generation of children.

Following the success of "The Ring" and "Lilo & Stitch," Chase initially continued her career. In 2009, she took on the role of Samantha Darko in "S. Darko," a sequel to "Donnie Darko." In 2016, she appeared before the camera in the independent films "Jack Goes Home" and "American Romance," her last known screen appearances.

Withdrawal from public life

As early as 2013, the actress had largely withdrawn from public life. In 2017, she then said a complete goodbye to show business. In the years that followed, according to American media reports, she repeatedly ran into conflict with the law. The precise circumstances of her health decline have not yet been conclusively documented publicly.

Representatives of the actress have not yet officially commented on the circumstances of her death. An official confirmation of the exact date of death is also still pending; various US media outlets cite June 17, 2026, as the date. According to the Daily Mail, the native Californian was found dead following a serious illness.

The news of Chase's death triggered a wave of dismay on social media. Numerous users recalled her acting achievements as a child, while others pointed to the darker sides of her later life. "She taught us to be afraid as a child – and as an adult, life gave her little kindness in return," one user wrote on the platform X.

Debate about child stars in Hollywood

Chase's career stands as an example of the fate of many former child stars who find it difficult to cope with the transition into adulthood in the public eye. The actress thus joins a series of cases that have been discussed in the US entertainment industry for years.

Her death once again raises questions about the protection of minor actors as well as the support services available to former child stars. Industry associations such as SAG-AFTRA have proposed programs in the past to protect young performers, although their effectiveness is repeatedly called into question.

According to information from the family's circle, Daveigh Chase's funeral is to take place in a small, private gathering in California. Details of a possible memorial service are not yet known. In a brief statement, her family asked for peace and respect for their privacy.