Sophie Nyweide, who was known for her work as a child actor in Noah and Mammoth, has died. She was 24.
The Vermont-born actor also starred alongside Jessica Alba in An Invisible Sign.
She died last Monday, April 14. No cause of death has yet been announced.
Nyweide made her screen debut in Alejandro Gómez Monteverde’s 2006 drama Bella.
She appeared in an episode of Law & Order in 2007, before going on to be cast as the daughter of Gael García Bernal and Michelle Williams’ characters in Lukas Moodysson’s 2009 romantic drama Mammoth.
In an online obituary, her family wrote: “Born in Burlington Vermont, she spent most of her brief life in Vermont and New York City. Sophie was a beloved daughter, granddaughter, sister, friend and new aunt. Creative, athletic and wise beyond her years, Sophie accomplished so much in the time she danced upon earth (literally – she danced as she moved!).
“She wanted to emulate her brother on the mountain so she started competing in snowboarding at the age of 5. She raced down the mountain in the fresh cold air, collecting friends along the way. She dreamed (more like demanded!) to be an actor, without ever knowing her mother was an actor, so she did that too with an ease we all marveled about.
“She seemed happiest on a movie set, becoming someone else. It was a safe place for her and she relish from the casts and crews who nourished her talent and her well being. She was an eager adventurer and picked up the customs and even languages of any place she visited. She made friends easily at her schools and saw the good in everyone.
“Sophie’s ‘family’ wasn’t just her immediate family. She counted many of her brother and mother’s friends and their children as family too. And they her. Her death has left a hole in all. Sadness, loss, heartbreak and even anger is present for those who loved her and now will have to continue on without her laughter, infectious passion and zest – without those amazing blue eyes that could look directly into one’s soul.
“Sophie was a kind and trusting girl. Often this left her open to being taken advantage of by others. 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.
“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. She self medicated to deal with all the trauma and shame she held inside, and it resulted in her death.
“She repeatedly said she would ‘handle it’ on her own and was compelled to reject the treatment that might possibly have saved her life.”
