Daveigh Chase was an American actress, voice actress, and singer who had a net worth of $3 million at the time of her death. She is remembered for an unusually diverse and impactful career as a child star in the early 2000s, with standout roles spanning Disney animation, Japanese anime dubbing, cult science fiction, and mainstream horror.
Chase became widely known for voicing Lilo Pelekai in Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch” and for portraying the terrifying Samara Morgan in the horror hit “The Ring.” These two roles—one beloved and heartwarming, the other deeply unsettling—made her one of the most recognizable young performers of her generation. She also earned critical acclaim for voicing Chihiro in the English-language release of “Spirited Away” and for her role as Samantha Darko in “Donnie Darko.”
- Daveigh Chase Net Worth: $3 Million
- Date of Birth: July 24, 1990
- Place of Birth: Las Vegas, Nevada
- Nationality: American
- Career: actress, voice actress, and singer
Early Life
Daveigh Elizabeth Chase was born on July 24, 1990, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Her birth name was Daveigh Elizabeth Chase-Schwallier, later shortened after her parents’ divorce. She was raised primarily in Albany, Oregon.
From an early age, Chase showed a strong interest in performing. She began working in entertainment as a child, appearing in commercials and small television roles before transitioning into film and voice acting. Early guest appearances included roles on shows such as “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” “ER,” “Touched by an Angel,” “Charmed,” and “The Practice.”
Early Acting Breakthrough
One of Chase’s first major film appearances came in 2001 when she played Samantha Darko, the younger sister of Jake Gyllenhaal’s character, in:
Donnie Darko
Although the film was not an immediate commercial hit, it later became a cult classic and significantly raised Chase’s profile.
Around the same time, she entered the world of international animation when she voiced Chihiro in the English-language version of:
Spirited Away
The film became one of the most critically acclaimed animated movies of all time and introduced Chase’s voice to a global audience.
Lilo & Stitch
Chase’s defining role came in 2002 when she voiced Lilo Pelekai in Disney’s animated hit:
Lilo & Stitch
Her performance brought warmth, humor, and emotional depth to the character, helping make the film a major success. The movie later expanded into a franchise, with Chase reprising her role in several related projects.
Her voice performance earned her an Annie Award and helped establish her as one of the most memorable young voice actresses of her time.
The Ring
Also in 2002, Chase appeared in the horror blockbuster:
The Ring
She played Samara Morgan, the ghostly figure at the center of the cursed videotape. Despite minimal dialogue, her chilling performance became one of the most iconic horror portrayals of the 2000s, particularly the infamous “TV scene” that defined the film’s legacy.
Chase won the MTV Movie Award for Best Villain, a rare achievement for a child actor.
Television
From 2006 to 2011, Chase played Rhonda Volmer on the HBO drama:
Big Love
The role showcased a darker and more complex character, marking her transition into adult acting roles.
She later reprised Samantha Darko in the 2009 sequel “S. Darko” and appeared in films such as “Beethoven’s 5th,” “Carolina,” and “Jack Goes Home.” While she continued working into adulthood, her acting appearances became less frequent over time.
Financial Situation
Following Chase’s death, her longtime manager claimed she may have had millions of dollars in unclaimed residuals linked to her early work, particularly “Lilo & Stitch.”
According to these reports, her original contract was said to include not only upfront payments but also potential earnings from ongoing residuals, merchandising, and franchise-related usage of her voice performance.
The manager also stated that SAG-AFTRA notices for unclaimed payments had continued for years, suggesting that Chase may not have accessed all earnings owed to her. However, the exact amount, ownership, and legal status of any remaining funds have not been publicly confirmed.
Personal Life and Death
In her later years, Chase lived a largely private life away from Hollywood. Reports after her death described a difficult final period marked by serious health challenges, addiction struggles, and unstable living conditions.
Daveigh Chase died in June 2026 at the age of 35. Her boyfriend stated she suffered from meningitis that led to complications including sepsis and organ failure. She had also reportedly been hospitalized shortly before her death due to malnutrition.
Author: Andrew Walyaula
Andrew Walyaula is a seasoned multimedia journalist. Email: [email protected]
