Melissa Gilbert He shared his thoughts on his past values Daveigh Chaseusing this tragedy as an opportunity to address the grave dangers that child actors face in theatre. The Emmy-nominated actor, who worked with a young Chase on the television pilot two decades ago, posted his thoughts on Instagram on Monday, June 29, expressing the difficulty of Chase’s death.Chase died on June 16 at the age of 35 after being hospitalized in Los Angeles due to malnutrition. The cause was later determined to be AIDS. Chase’s father told the New York Times that his daughter had struggled with drug addiction since she was 13 and was homeless, living in squalid conditions near the hospital where she died.
Melissa Gilbert’s memories of working with Daveigh Chase
Gilbert reflected on his short but rewarding time working with Chase during the pilot. “This is it [Daveigh Chase] I knew. I shot a couple of trips with him 20+ years ago. I only worked with Daveigh for a few days, but I could tell he was happy and cheerful. He was good looking, sweet and professional. But there was something else there, a push or a need to act…The actor’s observations painted a portrait of a talented young actor while highlighting what he saw as parental pressure affecting Chase’s career path, even at a young age.
Daveigh Chase’s best roles and career history
According to a report by USA Today, Chase’s breakthrough came at the age of 10 when he costarred alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in the 2001 psychological thriller ‘Donnie Darko’. He went on to have more popular roles, including playing the teenage hero Chihiro in the English language version of Hayao Miyazaki’s ‘Spirited Away’. That same year, he portrayed the villain Lilo in the 2002 music video ‘Lilo & Stitch’.
Melissa Gilbert’s many messages about the role of parents in the child’s popularity
Gilbert added his commentary to address issues that affect child actors more broadly. “I’ve been around a lot of child actors, including myself, which makes us all part of a big, multi-ethnic tribe. So, I’ve also been around a lot of stage parents. Most child actors thrive, whether they stay in the ‘business’ or not. This is 100% due to strong, smart parenting. Child stability, by itself, is not a guarantee. However, when a parent or parents stop realizing who THEY are, what their true role is, and their life revolves around their star child, then the problem begins,” he wrote.
Daveigh Chase struggles with addiction and health issues
Chase’s mother gave an additional story to the Daily Mail, revealing that her daughter was prescribed oxycodone and other painkillers after a motorcycle accident in 2016. This prescription was the beginning of a serious drug problem that would affect her for the rest of her life.Gilbert spoke about Chase’s struggles with compassion and understanding. “Today I read the events of Daveigh’s death, I am deeply saddened. I really understand the problem of drug addiction, but the loss of this sweet girl is too much,” he wrote, acknowledging all the problems of addiction and the deep failures that led to Chase’s loss.
Melissa Gilbert’s advice for business-minded parents
In his closing remarks, Gilbert made a direct appeal to parents to consider putting their children in entertainment. “If I had the opportunity to talk to any parents who are thinking of making their children in the industry, I would tell them to please, please make sure that they are doing it for the right reasons. To make sure that it is something that the child really wants. To make sure that the child has a life outside the industry that is going well and full of friends and responsibilities and things that are “normal,” he encouraged.Gilbert concluded with a strong call to recall Chase’s story. “I also ask that the parents memorize the face of this sweet girl and her story so that it does not happen again”, he added, turning the tragedy into a cautionary lesson for entertainers and families considering child labor.