Daveigh Chase said she wanted to 'do things that will change someone’s life' years before her death
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Years before her death, Daveigh Chase had once spoken about the kind of impact she hoped her work would leave behind. In a past interview, she reflected on wanting her creative choices to matter in a lasting way.
Chase, known for her roles across film and television, was 35 when she died on Tuesday, June 16. As per her boyfriend Roy Hernandez, she died due to meningitis and a blood infection.
Daveigh Chase spoke about wanting meaningful work in past interview
In a 2009 interview with Interview magazine, Chase spoke about her creative goals and the kind of projects she valued most.
“I just want to make something that I love and people will respect. I want to do things that will change someone’s life, not something they’ll forget about tomorrow,” she had stated.
Daveigh Chase entered acting after unexpected turn of events
During the same interview, Chase shared that her entry into acting was not planned. She described it as happening due to “a stroke of bad luck”.
In 1998, while traveling with her family from Albany, Oregon, a road incident in Los Angeles left her mother injured and unable to drive for several months. The family ended up staying in Los Angeles, which eventually opened the door for Chase to explore acting at a young age.
Daveigh Chase earned recognition for roles in 'The Ring' and other projects
Chase’s career included notable performances across film and television. She appeared in the cult favorite ‘Donnie Darko’, played Samantha Darko in ‘S. Darko’, and voiced Lilo in ‘Lilo & Stitch’.
On television, she portrayed Rhonda Volmer in HBO’s ‘Big Love’, adding another distinct role to her portfolio.
One of her most recognized performances came in ‘The Ring’, where she played Samara Morgan. Her work in the film earned her the 2003 Best Villain award at the MTV Movie Awards.
Questions raised over Daveigh Chase fundraising effort
Following news of her passing, a fundraising campaign reportedly surfaced online claiming to support her medical and living expenses. The move has since drawn questions from people close to Chase.
A longtime friend and former manager said a man claiming to be her boyfriend created a GoFundMe page without clear verification from her inner circle.
“A man claiming to be Daveigh's boyfriend has launched a GoFundMe page purportedly on behalf of Daveigh and her family. Neither her family nor her close friends know who this person is,” he said.
He also noted that Chase had access to a SAG trust account with sufficient funds to cover expenses, urging caution until details are verified.
