Actor dies weeks after Disney film hit cinemas
Actor dies weeks after Disney film hit cinemas
David Hekili's family have posted a heartfelt tribute to the Hawaiian actor
David Hekili Kenui Bell appeared in the live-action Lilo & Stitch
A Disney actor starring in a new film has died weeks after its release. David Hekili Kenui Bell recently appeared in the live-action remake of the Disney classic Lilo & Stitch that premiered in cinemas in May this year.
But his family have now confirmed his death in a heartfelt statement posted on social media on Monday, June 16. David's sister Jalene announced the tragedy on Facebook, confirming he died the previous day and describing him a "sweet, generous, talented, funny, brilliant, and handsome" brother.
She revealed that whilst she never had a father figure as a child, "David gave me all the unconditional love I could possibly ask for and I believe that all his family and friends received the same from him."
Jalene expressed how she had met David at her graduation after "asking for years" to meet him. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter
She wrote: "He was always so proud of me, his nieces, and his grandnephew, constantly engaged and always coming up with fun activities to get together.
"We looked forward to going to Tahiti and the Lindsey reunion together to create more family connections."
Article continues below
The last time Jalene spent with David was when he invited their family to the movie premiere of Lilo & Stitch in Kapolei.
She said: "He planned ahead and purchased the best seats in the house for us all to go together to opening night in Kapolei just two short weeks ago.
"That's one trait we didn't share, planning ahead. We talked about and were so energised by the fans dressed in LandS gear head to toe, t-shirts, onesies, hats, masks, and the merch galore flying off the shelf as we stood in line for popcorn."
As well as the Disney film, the Hawaiian actor made appearances on popular shows like Magnum P. I. and Hawaii Five-0 and was the voice of the P.A. system at Kona Airport.
David's agent Lashauna Downie, expressed her shock with TMZ, saying: "I am learning like you through social media. This is heart breaking and sad. He was one of my best talent and embodied the true meaning of aloha... a gentle giant."
Fans took to X to express their grief, with one saying: "rest easy, mahalo for the memories and the mana you gave this world."
Article continues below
Another said: "Aw man, RIP to the Lilo and Stitch legend. Gone too soon."
His cause of death has not been confirmed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
14 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
ITV The Masked Singer winner's 'must-see' film is now available to stream
Frozen fans can now relive the magic of the West End musical, starring Samantha Barks The Masked Singer winner Samantha Barks' "must-see" film is now available to stream. Samantha famously clinched the title in the sixth series of the popular ITV singing contest in February, with Gregory Porter and Marti Pellow coming in second and third place, respectively. Concealed behind the memorable Pufferfish mask, Samantha delivered a variety of pop and musical theatre classics. Viewers will recall her captivating performance of Chappell Roan's Good Luck, Babe, Teddy Swims' Lose Control, and Don't Rain on My Parade from Funny Girl. In the grand finale, Samantha performed a breathtaking duet with McFly's Danny Jones, belting out Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler, reports Surrey Live. Samantha first shot to fame in 2008 as one of the finalists in I'd Do Anything - the BBC talent hunt for a fresh face to play Nancy in the West End revival of Oliver! Since then, she has graced the stage in several hit musicals, including Cabaret, Chicago, and Pretty Woman. After portraying Éponine in Les Misérables on the West End, producer Cameron Mackintosh selected Samantha to reprise the role in the 25th Anniversary Concert of the show, and in the 2012 musical film. Her rendition of On My Own remains one of the most celebrated performances to date, even making it onto the Billboard Hot 100 upon its release. Most recently, she played Elsa in the West End production of Frozen, which ran from August 2021 to September 2024. Frozen enthusiasts can now experience the enchantment all over again as the stage production, captured at the stunning Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London, is available to stream. The acclaimed Broadway and West End musical, which draws inspiration from Disney's hit film, was recorded early last year and made its debut on Disney+ today (Friday, June 20). Samantha takes on the role of the enchanting Queen Elsa, with Laura Dawkes portraying her lively younger sister Anna. Completing the principal line-up are Jammy Kasongo as Kristoff, Craig Gallivan as the lovable Olaf, Oliver Ormson playing Hans, and Richard Frame as the Duke of Weselton. Audiences can expect a dazzling display of music and magic on stage, complete with awe-inspiring surprises and top-notch special effects. In addition to the beloved original songs, the show introduces 12 new musical numbers. In a conversation with the WhatsOnStage podcast in March, Samantha expressed her delight at the prospect of her 20-month-old son, Rafael, being able to see her performance on Disney+. "It's really exciting. It was a really beautiful moment when we found out we were going to do that because you're doing a show like Frozen, which means so much to me professionally and personally," she said. "Having Raffi, I was thinking, 'Oh, he'll never see it'. And then you find out you're going to be filmed for Disney Plus, and it's like, 'Wow, it'll live on forever'. My nieces can watch it everyday and Raffi can watch it if he wants to." The West End production has been showered with accolades, as one theatre-goer exclaimed: "Magnificent is an understatement. I was overwhelmed with emotion at the whole thing, loved every minute." Equally impressed, another remarked: "I was blown away by the West End production. The singing is stirring, the orchestration is phenomenal, the visual effects are stunning! I was moved to tears," while someone else proclaimed: "It's the best stage musical. A truly must see production of this generation." Frozen the Musical is available to stream on Disney+
Belfast Telegraph
15 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
‘It was wild': The Outcasts frontman reflects on punk's early days ahead of ‘homecoming' gig in Bangor
Punk icon Greg Cowan from The Outcasts has said he can't believe the band is still reaching new milestones nearly a half century since it was first formed. The past year has seen the group headline their first New York show and feature on hit Disney drama series Say Nothing, as the rockers enjoy more success now than they ever did in their pomp.
Wales Online
15 hours ago
- Wales Online
New Disney on Ice show features Frozen and Moana and tickets are available now
New Disney on Ice show features Frozen and Moana and tickets are available now Disney On Ice has announced a brand new show for this winter - Find Your Hero. The production will feature all your favourite Disney characters from Mickey Mouse to Maui. Disney On Ice fans will se Olaf in the snow. (Image: DISNEY ) Disney On Ice has just revealed some enchanting new plans for the upcoming winter: A brand new adventure titled Find Your Hero. This thrilling new production promises to be packed with fan-favourite characters, including such icons as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Mirabel, Rapunzel and more. And, of course, no Disney On Ice event would be complete without our Frozen heroes involved: Elsa and Ana. This captivating new journey will delight fans in arenas around the country starting this October, 2025, in Birmingham's Pulse LIVE Arena. From there, the icy Magical Kingdom will travel through Nottingham, Newcastle, Aberdeen, Belfast, Manchester and Sheffield before finally arriving in London. And these shows will all run until January 4, 2026. READ MORE: 'Perfect' Stanley water bottle that keeps drinks cold 'for hours' now 42% off in deal stack READ MORE: Weird Fish shoppers 'feel amazing' in 'great price' dress that 'looks so expensive' And there is simply so much fun and joy to experience this winter season, reports the Express. Attendees of Find Your Hero will join the likes of Mirabel as she attempts to save her family's beautiful Casita. They'll also join Moana as far as she can go to save her island with the muscle-bound demigod Maui at her side. Meanwhile, Rapunzel fans will see the cunning princess explore worlds as of yet unknown, while Belle tames the Beast in his enchanted castle. Buy Disney on Ice tickets here From £41 Disney On Ice Buy here Product Description Disney On Ice brings its magical wonder to arenas around the country once again this year. With tickets starting at £41 each, fans can see their favourite characters skate through adventure. The Disney On Ice - Find Your Hero show is brought to fans by the incredibly talented cast who have rehearsed for over 550 hours in preparation for this massive tour. Of course, these performances are supported by a massive team of choreographers, costume designers and production designers who work tirelessly to bring these shows and stories to life. Disney On Ice is coming to the UK this year. (Image: DISNEY ) Moreover, the show features over 200 props and 200 unique costumes, making it even more vivid and realistic than ever before. To join in the fun with Disney On Ice - Find Your Hero this year, you can click this link to purchase tickets now, starting at just £41 each. For families seeking some immediate entertainment, there are several summer events currently taking place. This includes the immersive Minecraft Experience, which transports attendees directly into the world of Minecraft, allowing both children and adults to hone their mining skills, use their Orb of Interaction to activate portals and navigate through the world. Disney On Ice kicks off in October. (Image: DISNEY ) Alternatively, if Jurassic World is more your thing, the Jurassic World Experience is also currently running. Attendees can explore Isla Nublar while immersing themselves in scenes inspired by the film series. However, these shows only have a few weeks left. So, fans seeking a specific adventure should consider Disney On Ice, as well. Disney On Ice - Find Your Hero begins this winter, starting in October, and will run until January. We've compiled the complete list of dates and venues below: Article continues below Disney On Ice - Find Your Hero dates and venues
