Former child star Sophie Nyweide, who acted with Michelle Williams and Russell Crowe, died at the age of 24.
Sophie’s family posted an online obituary announcing she died on April 14, but her cause of death was not reported.
“Sophie was a beloved daughter, granddaughter, sister, friend and new aunt,” the family wrote. “Creative, athletic and wise beyond her years, Sophie accomplished so much in the time she danced upon earth (literally – she danced as she moved!).”
“It was a safe place for her and she relished the cast and crew who nourished her talent and her well-being,” the family wrote. “She was an eager adventurer and picked up the customs and even languages of any place she visited.”
Born in Burlington, Vermont, in July 2000, Nyweide divided her childhood between Vermont and within New York City. She was the child of former actor Shelly Gibso.
“She dreamed (more like demanded!) of being an actor, without ever knowing her mother was an actor, so she did that too, with an ease we all marveled about,” her obit reads.
She first got into acting at age six with the lead role in the movie Bella. After that, she acted in TV and movie projects such as Law & Order, And Then Came Love, and Margot at the Wedding.
In 2009, she had a role in a movie based on a character played by both Michelle Williams and Gael García Bernal in Mammoth, and in 2014 she co-starred with Russell Crowe in the epic biblical movie Noah.
Remembered by everyone as “a kind and trusting girl.”
“She wrote and drew voraciously and much of this art depicts the depth she had, and it also represents the pain she suffered. “Many of her writings and artwork are roadmaps of her struggles and traumas,” according to the obit. “Even with those roadmaps, diagnoses, and her own revelations, those closest to her, plus therapists, law enforcement officers and others who tried to help her are heartbroken their efforts couldn’t save her from her fate.”
Nyweide’s family has asked that people make a donation to RAINN, the country’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, in her memory rather than send a gift or flowers. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later time.
