Disney’s live-action ‘Lilo & Stitch’ loses a star as ‘big Hawaiian dude’ family confirms death

David Hekili Kenui Bell, an actor who recently appeared in Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch, has died at the age of 46. His sister, Jalene Kanani Bell, shared the news in a Facebook post on June 15, and his family later confirmed it to  TMZ after sharing the news on Facebook. According to the Hawai’i police, Bell passed away on June 12 at 2:26 PM.

Authorities have started a coroner’s inquest investigation, which is standard procedure. An autopsy will be done to determine the exact cause of death, and the investigation is still ongoing, though no foul play is suspected. Bell played the role of a “Big Hawaiian Dude” in the 2025 live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch. In the movie, his character drops his shaved ice a few different times.

This was to recreate a famous moment from the original 2002 animated film, although the film did remove Gantu. Bell, who was Native Hawaiian, had posted his audition tape for the role and shared behind-the-scenes photos from filming before the movie came out. Unfortunately, this would be one of the last movies Bell was in, but at least he got to play alongside the new actor for Agent Cobra Bubbles.

‘Lilo & Stitch’ actor has passed away

Aside from Lilo & Stitch, Bell also acted in CBS shows like Hawaii Five-0 and Magnum P.I. He was finishing work on The Wrecking Crew, an upcoming action-comedy from Amazon MGM Studios. The movie stars Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa as half-brothers who team up to solve the mystery behind their father’s murder in Hawaii.

His sister posted, “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. 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.”

Before becoming an actor, Bell worked at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole as an assistant airport superintendent. Travelers arriving at Kona Airport would hear his voice over the PA system, a job he loved because it helped create a welcoming and safe experience for visitors. He also worked as an ambassador for Kona Brew, showing his involvement in different areas.

Bell had a strong connection to Hawaiian culture, which influenced his life and career. His sister mentioned that their father spoke Hawaiian, which helped Bell develop a unique way of delivering lines by blending English, Indigenous knowledge, and Hawaiian Pidgin. This skill made him stand out as “a diamond in the rough.” He attended Kalani High School, Hawaii Community College, and Kapiolani Community College.