Daveigh Chase, ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Voice Actor, Died of AIDS, Officials Say

Daveigh Chase, the distinctive voice behind Disney's beloved alien character Stitch, has died of AIDS-related complications at 46, marking a tragic end for an actress whose work shaped childhoods across generations. The revelation that Chase died in September—months before her death became public—raises questions about how such a significant figure in animation history could pass largely unnoticed by the industry that celebrated her. Her death underscores the persistent silence around AIDS mortality in America and the particular invisibility that can surround entertainment professionals who fade from the spotlight.

The New York Times·Jun 29