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David Hekili Kenui Bell, an actor known for his role in Disney’s recent live-action “Lilo & Stitch” adaptation, has passed away, as stated by his relatives and a spokesperson.
He was 46.
His sister, Jolene Kanani Bell, announced his passing on Facebook on Sunday.
“With a heavy heart, I announce that my sweet, generous, talented, funny, brilliant, and handsome little brother, David H. K. Bell, is now in the presence of our Heavenly Father,” she shared.
“I’ve been searching for the right words and mindset to capture the joy and nobility that embodied him but was nudged by fate to write this morning through a pre-scheduled Father’s Day newsletter honoring the men in our lives,” she added.
No cause of death was disclosed.
“While I didn’t grow up with a Father, 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,” she wrote.
She remembered her brother as loving and engaged with his nieces and grandnephew.
She also described his deep love for acting and doing voiceovers, and how excited he was over his big break in “Lilo & Stitch,” playing the character billed as “Big Hawaiian Dude.”
“He recently made it on to the big screen with an iconic Lilo & Stitch moment,” his sister wrote. “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.”
She said they felt “energized” by seeing the fans show up dressed in “Lilo & Stitch” merch, hats and masks and they celebrated by eating shaved ice after the movie.
She concluded her post by reflecting on their last time together.
“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.”
“Blessed by this and all the big and small moments, I will keep our memories alive,” she wrote.
The actor’s management agency, Bliss Models and Talent, paid tribute to Bell on Instagram.
“I just heard the news of David H.K. Bell’s passing 💔,” agency owner Lashauna Downie wrote.
She remembered Bell as “one of the best talent, a gentle giant with lots of aloha!”
“You will be deeply missed. It was a true blessing seeing you rise to fame yet continue to be your humble self ⭐️. My thoughts & prayers go out to David’s entire Ohana,” Downie wrote.
Bell acted on TV, appearing in in “Hawaii Five-0” in 2014 and “Magnum P.I.” in 2018 and 2019, according to his IMDb profile.
