Name: Daveigh Elizabeth Chase-Schwallier
Age: 35
Birthday: July 24, 1990
Born: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Net Worth: Approximately $3 million
Fun Fact: She won an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain at just 12 years old for her chilling performance as Samara Morgan in The Ring.
Daveigh Chase was an American actress, voice actress, and singer who captured the hearts of audiences worldwide through her memorable roles in some of the early 2000s most iconic films. From the sweet voice of Lilo in Disney's animated hit Lilo & Stitch to the terrifying Samara Morgan in the horror classic The Ring, Chase showcased remarkable range as a young performer. At the time of her passing in June 2026, her estimated net worth stood at approximately $3 million, accumulated through a career that spanned more than two decades and over 50 screen roles.
Early Life and the Start of a Promising Career
Born Daveigh Elizabeth Chase-Schwallier on July 24, 1990, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Chase was raised primarily in Albany, Oregon, following her parents' divorce. Her mother, Cathy Chase, and father, John Schwallier, recognized early that their daughter had a natural gift for performing. She began singing publicly at just four years old, and by the time she was eight, she was already auditioning for television roles.
Chase made her television debut in 1998 on an episode of Sabrina the Teenage Witch, quickly followed by guest spots on ER and other popular series. Her big break came when she was cast in the 2001 cult classic Donnie Darko, playing Samantha Darko alongside Jake Gyllenhaal. That same year, she landed the English-language voice role of Chihiro in Studio Ghibli's Academy Award-winning film Spirited Away, introducing her to an international audience.
The Roles That Built Her Fortune
Chase's two most iconic roles arrived in 2002, cementing her place in pop culture history and generating the bulk of her career earnings. She was cast as the voice of Lilo in Disney's Lilo & Stitch, an animated feature that became a beloved classic. She continued to voice the character in the television series and direct-to-video sequels Stitch! The Movie and Leroy & Stitch, earning steady residual income from the franchise.
In the same year, Chase took on the role of Samara Morgan, the terrifying antagonist in the American horror remake The Ring. Her portrayal of the ghostly girl who crawls out of television screens became one of the most iconic horror images of the decade. The performance earned her an MTV Movie Award for Best Villain in 2003, making her one of the youngest actors ever to win the award. The film was a massive box office success, grossing over $249 million worldwide, and significantly boosted Chase's earning potential and recognition in Hollywood.
From 2006 to 2011, Chase played the recurring role of Rhonda Volmer in the HBO drama series Big Love, appearing in 32 episodes across five seasons. The steady television work provided her with consistent income during her teenage years and demonstrated her ability to handle complex, dramatic material. Her other notable film credits include Beethoven's 5th, Dead Silence, and the independent drama Yellow.
Timeline: The Journey from Child Star to Tragic End
1990 — Born on July 24 in Las Vegas, Nevada, and raised in Albany, Oregon.
1998 — Makes television debut on Sabrina the Teenage Witch at age eight.
2001 — Stars as Samantha Darko in Donnie Darko and voices Chihiro in Spirited Away.
2002 — Lands two career-defining roles: Lilo in Lilo & Stitch and Samara Morgan in The Ring.
2003 — Wins MTV Movie Award for Best Villain for The Ring.
2006-2011 — Plays Rhonda Volmer in 32 episodes of HBO's Big Love.
2016 — Appears in her final film roles: Jack Goes Home and American Romance.
June 16, 2026 — Dies at age 35 in a Los Angeles hospital from meningitis and sepsis.
How She Built Her $3 Million Net Worth
Chase's estimated $3 million net wealth was built primarily through her child acting career during the early 2000s. At the height of her fame, she was earning substantial paychecks from major studio productions. The Lilo & Stitch franchise, which generated hundreds of millions in revenue for Disney, provided her with voice-acting fees and ongoing residuals from television syndication, home video sales, and merchandise featuring her character.
Her role in The Ring, which was made on a modest $48 million budget and grossed over $249 million worldwide, would have commanded a significant payday for a supporting actress in a major studio release. The film's continued popularity through streaming and home media likely contributed ongoing royalty payments. Her five-season run on HBO's Big Love provided steady television income during her teenage years, while smaller film roles and voice work supplemented her earnings.
However, like many child stars, Chase's later years saw diminished acting opportunities. After 2016, she largely stepped away from the entertainment industry. Legal troubles and personal struggles impacted her finances, and multiple arrests related to drug offenses beginning in 2017 reportedly strained her resources. Nonetheless, the foundation of wealth she built during her peak years was substantial enough to leave an estate valued at approximately $3 million.
Current Status: Remembering a Lost Talent
Daveigh Chase passed away on June 16, 2026, at the age of 35 in a Los Angeles hospital. According to her boyfriend, Roy Hernandez, and confirmed by her longtime manager, Chase died from meningitis complicated by a blood infection that led to sepsis and multiple organ failure. She had been hospitalized earlier in June for malnutrition, and her condition worsened rapidly.
Her death prompted an outpouring of grief from fans and colleagues. Fellow actors, directors, and fans took to social media to share memories of working with her and to celebrate the roles that defined her career. A GoFundMe campaign organized by Hernandez sought to cover funeral expenses, highlighting the financial difficulties she faced in her final years despite her earlier success.
Legacy and Lasting Impact
Despite the tragic circumstances of her passing, Daveigh Chase leaves behind an extraordinary body of work that continues to entertain new generations of viewers. Her voice as Lilo remains one of the most recognizable in Disney animation, and Samara Morgan endures as one of horror cinema's most frightening creations. She also won an Annie Award for Outstanding Voice Acting in an Animated Feature, further cementing her legacy in animation history.
Her financial legacy of approximately $3 million net worth reflects the high earning potential of successful child actors during Hollywood's peak franchise era. While her later years were marked by personal challenges, the wealth she accumulated during her prolific career stands as a testament to her talent and the indelible mark she left on film and television.
Key Takeaways
- Daveigh Chase had an estimated net worth of $3 million at the time of her death
- She earned the bulk of her wealth from voice acting in Disney's Lilo & Stitch franchise and her starring role in The Ring
- Her five-season run on HBO's Big Love provided steady television income
- She stepped away from acting after 2016 and faced legal and financial difficulties in her final years
- Despite her challenges, she left behind a lasting legacy as one of the most recognizable child actors of the early 2000s
