Melissa Gilbert shared an emotional tribute to former child actress Daveigh Chase while also speaking out about the dangers of parents placing too much pressure on children in the entertainment industry.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Gilbert recalled working with Chase more than 20 years ago on the pilot for a television series.
Although they only spent a few days together, Gilbert said she immediately recognized Daveigh’s talent and warm personality.
“I only worked with Daveigh a couple of days, but I could see she was bright both in spirit and in mind. She was bubbly, kind, and professional.
But I also sensed something else—a strong need to perform, and I felt much of that came from pressure placed on her by her parents,” Gilbert wrote alongside a photo of a young, smiling Chase.
Gilbert, who became famous as a child through Little House on the Prairie, said her own experiences allowed her to witness many different parenting styles in Hollywood.
She explained that becoming a child star does not automatically lead to problems.
Instead, she believes the greatest risk comes when parents begin to define their own lives through their child’s career.
“Child stardom itself isn’t the problem,” Gilbert wrote.
“The trouble begins when parents lose sight of their true role and allow their entire lives to revolve around their child’s fame.
Parenting a child in the entertainment industry takes wisdom, balance, and strength.”
She also pointed out that only a small number of child actors continue acting as adults.
When their careers end, she said, the emotional impact can be devastating not only for the child but for the entire family.
Gilbert said she was deeply saddened after learning about the circumstances surrounding Chase’s death.
She reflected on the challenges of addiction and urged parents to carefully consider why they want their children to enter the entertainment business.
She encouraged parents to make sure acting is truly their child’s dream rather than their own, to teach children about managing the money they earn, and to help them build a healthy life outside of Hollywood filled with friendships, school, hobbies, and everyday experiences.
Gilbert ended her message with a heartfelt wish that parents remember Daveigh Chase’s story and learn from it, hoping that other young performers never have to face similar struggles.
Following Chase’s death, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner released its official findings on the cause of death.
Earlier reports about her condition varied, and media coverage also noted that she had reportedly faced personal struggles, including substance abuse and periods of homelessness.
Daveigh Chase rose to fame as the voice of Lilo in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch. She later returned to the role in Stitch! The Movie, Leroy & Stitch, and Lilo & Stitch: The Series. She was also widely recognized for playing Samara Morgan in The Ring and Samantha Darko in Donnie Darko and its sequel, S. Darko.
Her performances left a lasting impression on audiences, and many fans continue to remember her as one of the most memorable young actresses of her generation.
melissagilbertofficial
This is the @daveighchase.official I knew. I shot a pilot for a series with her 20+ years ago.
Two wonderful humans @thejackcoleman and @kevinegers1984 played my husband and son, respectively.
I only worked with Daveigh a couple of days but I could see she was bright both in countenance and in mind.
She was bubbly, sweet and professional. But there was something else there, a push or need to perform…for her parents.
I have been around a lot of child actors, myself included, which makes us all a part of a big multigenerational tribe.
As a consequence, I’ve also been around a lot of stage parents.
Many child actors grow up just fine, whether they stay in “the business” or not. That is 100% due to really solid, wise parenting. Child stardom, in itself, is not a guarantee of dysfunction.
However, when a parent or parents lose sight of who THEY are, of what their true responsibility is, and their lives revolve solely around their little star child, well, that’s where the trouble begins.
It takes strong parenting to handle all that comes with it.
The terrible part is, that so few child actors continue on to have careers as actors.
For most, it goes away, and when that happens it not only devastates the child but it turns the whole family upside down.
Today, reading the circumstances of Daveigh’s death, I’m truly heartbroken.
I certainly understand substance addiction disorder but this sweet girl’s death is so much more.
If I had the chance to speak to any parents who were thinking about getting their children in the industry I would tell them to please, please make sure that they are doing it for the right reasons.
That they will take the child to an accountant regularly so that he or she knows exactly what he or she is making, and where it is going.
To be sure it’s something the child really wants.
To be sure that that child has a life outside of the industry that is thriving and full of friends and responsibilities and “normal” things.
I would also ask that these parents memorize this sweet girl’s face and her story so that it never happens again.
