'Lilo & Stitch' actor David Hekili Kenui Bell dies at 46: 'A beautiful spirit'
'Lilo & Stitch' actor David Hekili Kenui Bell dies at 46: 'A beautiful spirit'
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'Lilo & Stitch' trailer: Disney's furry alien goes live action
Newcomer Maia Kealoha stars as a Hawaiian girl who makes friends with a furry ball of alien mayhem in Disney's live-action "Lilo & Stitch."
Actor David Hekili Kenui Bell, who recently made his silver screen debut in Disney's live-action "Lilo & Stitch," has died. He was 46.
Bell died on June 12, his family confirmed in a press release shared by his agent Lashuana Downie on June 17. A cause of death was not disclosed, although the release notes Bell's death was a "peaceful passing."
The actor, who previously made appearances on the shows "Hawaii Five-0" and "Magnum P.I.," played the character "Big Hawaiian Dude" in the adaptation of the 2002 animated film about a young Hawaiian girl who befriends an alien fugitive. The movie premiered on May 23 and has grossed $858.6 million worldwide to date.
'Lilo & Stitch' reimagined: The biggest changes from Disney's original movie
"David was celebrated for his talent and presence in front of the camera and admired for the aloha he brought into every space he entered," Bell's family said in a statement. "Our 'ohana' is deeply grateful for the outpouring of support and respectfully asks for continued aloha and privacy during this time of remembrance and healing."
Downie, who praised Bell as an "extraordinary talent," added in a separate statement: "David brought light, kindness, and a beautiful spirit to all who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be profoundly missed by everyone whose lives he touched."
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With regard to memorial services for the actor, Bell's family said additional information will be "shared in the coming days."
In his review of the film, USA TODAY's movie critic Brian Truitt described "Lilo & Stitch" as an "excessively earnest Disney Channel movie compared with the delightfully unhinged 2002 cartoon."
'Lilo & Stitch' review: Disney adaptation falls short of first film's unhinged brilliance
"The updated 'Lilo' pulls back on the sci-fi action to focus instead on the emotional story of two orphaned human siblings," Truitt wrote. "That old 'Ohana means family' riff still hits right in the feels, though what this latest outing lacks most is the first film's electric charm. ... This 'Stitch' settles on being a fine retread instead of a rabble-rousing romp."
Contributing: Brian Truitt, USA TODAY
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David Hekili Kenui Bell's death is under investigation after the 'Lilo & Stitch' actor passed away in Hawaii earlier this month at the age of 46. Although the Disney actor's sister announced the news of Bell's death over the weekend, the Hawaii Police Department revealed that he passed away on June 12 at approximately 2:26 p.m. local time. The department also confirmed that they have launched an investigation to determine how the 'Hawaii Five-0' and 'Magnum P.I.' actor died. 6 David Hekili Kenui Bell's death is under investigation after the 'Lilo & Stitch' actor passed away in Hawaii earlier this month. hekili97/Instagram 6 An autopsy has also been scheduled to determine the Disney actor's exact cause of death. hekili97/Instagram 'We have launched a coroner's inquest investigation (as is standard practice) and an autopsy is being scheduled to determine the exact cause of death,' a police spokesperson told People on Monday. 'The investigation is ongoing at this time,' they added. 'No foul play is suspected.' Jalene Kanani Bell, the live-action 'Lilo & Stitch' star's sister, was the first to announce that her brother had passed away in an emotional Facebook post shared on Sunday, June 15. 6 'We have launched a coroner's inquest investigation (as is standard practice) and an autopsy is being scheduled to determine the exact cause of death,' a spokesperson for the Hawaii Police Department said Monday. Facebook 'It is with a heavy heart I share that my sweet, generous, talented, funny, brilliant and handsome little brother David H. K. Bell will spend today in the company of our Heavenly Father,' she wrote. 'I've been waiting for the words and mindset to properly express the joy of a human, and Prince of a Man he was, but fate pushed my hand this morning by a pre-scheduled Father's Day newsletter honoring the men in our lives,' Jalene added. Bell's sudden passing came just weeks after he made his big-screen debut in Disney's live-action 'Lilo & Stitch' remake, which premiered on May 23. The media giant paid tribute to the actor in a touching Instagram post on Tuesday afternoon. 6 The Hawaii Police Department also said that no foul play is suspected in Bell's death. hekili97/Instagram 'We are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of David Hekili Kenui Bell,' Disney Studios wrote alongside a picture of Bell from the movie. 'Kind, caring, and a friend to all on set,' the company added, 'he will forever be a member of the Disney and Lilo & Stitch family.' Lashauna Downie, Bell's rep, also paid tribute to the beloved actor following the surprising news of his heartbreaking death. 6 Bell as 'Big Hawaiian Dude' in Disney's live-action 'Lilo & Stitch' remake. Disney 'It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of David H. K. Bell — an extraordinary talent and a deeply cherished member of our BLISS ʻOhana (family),' she told The Post in a statement Tuesday. 'David brought light, kindness, and a beautiful spirit to all who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be profoundly missed by everyone whose lives he touched,' Downie continued. 'We extend our deepest sympathies to his ʻohana during this incredibly difficult time and are honoring their privacy as they grieve.' 'Rest in love, dear David. Your legacy and aloha spirit will live on in the hearts of all of us,' she concluded. 'A hui hou — until we meet again.' 6 Bell's sister, Jalene, announced his passing in a Facebook post shared on Sunday, June 15. Facebook Besides starring as 'Big Hawaiian Dude' in Disney's latest live-action remake, Bell also appeared as Manu Salani in two episodes of 'Magnum P.I.' in 2018 and 2019, as well as the character Isaac in one episode of 'Hawaii Five-0' in 2014. 'David loved being an actor, doing voiceovers,' his sister wrote in her tribute to Bell over the weekend. 'The film industry and entertainment was so exciting to him and I loved that he enjoyed the arts.' 'Hug your loved ones today…our last time together after returning home from the movie was just sitting on my living room couch talking story about life, having a seltzer and doing a little genealogy,' Jalene added. 'Blessed by this and all the big and small moments,' she concluded. 'I will keep our memories alive.'
