Latest news with #Jalene
Wales Online
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
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.
Daily Mirror
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Lilo & Stitch actor dies weeks after premiere as heartbroken family pay tribute
A star of Lilo & Stitch has died just weeks after the movie was released, his family has confirmed. Those closest to David Hekili Kenui Bell announced the actor died in an emotional statement. David recently starred in the live-action remake of Disney's Lilo and Stitch, which premiered in cinemas last month. David's sister Jalene confirmed the tragedy on Facebook. She described her brother as a "sweet, generous, talented, funny, brilliant, and handsome" brother. She revealed that although she didn't have a father figure growing up, "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 recalled meeting David at her high school graduation after "asking for years" to meet him. "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 Tatihi and the Lindsey reunion together to create more family connections." According to Jalene's post, David's last outing with her was treating the family to the premiere of Lilo and Stitch in Kapolei. "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," the grieving sister wrote, reports the Mirror US. "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." The proud Hawaiian also lent his voice to the P.A. system at Kona Airport and made appearances on popular shows like Magnum P. I. and Hawaii Five-0. David's agent, Lashauna Downie, shared her shock with TMZ, stating: "I am learning like you through social media. This is heartbreaking and sad. He was one of my best talent and embodied the true meaning of aloha ... a gentle giant." Fans flocked to X, previously known as Twitter, to express their sorrow. "rest easy, mahalo for the memories and the mana you gave this world," one user posted. "Aw man, RIP to the Lilo and Stitch legend. Gone too soon," another chimed in. The cause of death has not been disclosed at this time. Ahead of the movie's release fans praised the "perfect casting" of the live action remake. The film's logline teased at the time: "A live-action reimagining of Disney's 2002 animated classic, Lilo and Stitch is the wildly funny and touching story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and the fugitive alien who helps to mend her broken family." The original animated film, released in 2002, was a massive commercial hit, raking in $273.1 million on a budget of $80 million. Critics also praised the film for its unique storytelling, humour, charm, and originality.
