Child star Sophie Nyweide dead at 24 after rising to fame in films like Mammoth and An Invisible Sign
ACTRESS Sophie Nyweide, known for her role in the romantic drama Mammoth, has died at the age of 24.
The child star’s family confirmed her death in a heartwrenching statement.
The actress died on April 14, according to her family’s obituary.
The family didn’t state an exact cause of death, but they said she struggled with trauma, causing her to self-medicate before her death.
“Sophie was a kind and trusting girl. Often this left her open to being taken advantage of by others,” the family wrote.
“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.
“She self-medicated to deal with all the trauma and shame she held inside, and it resulted in her death,” the family continued.
“She repeatedly said she would ‘handle it’ on her own and was compelled to reject the treatment that might possibly have saved her life.”
She died in Bennington, Vermont, after spending most of her life in Vermont and New York City, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Shelly Gibson, Nyweide’s mom, told THR that cops there are “still investigating.”
Nyweide was using drugs before her death, her mom told TMZ, remembering her as a “tiny young woman.”
“She was with other people when she died. I didn’t know them. There is an investigation ongoing,” Shelly said.
“The autopsy results are not in. They said it would take 6-8 weeks. So I can’t say definitively.”
Nyweide was best known for playing Jackie Vidales, the daughter of Michelle Williams and Gael García Bernal’s characters in Mammoth.
The actress started her career young, appearing in seven films before turning 10.
“Her time acting was brief, but she was very happy. She wasn’t a child star in the least and wasn’t subjected to anything hurtful on those films. She was always safe on those sets,” Shelly added.
Sophie Nyweide's filmography
Actress Sophie Nyweide has died at 24.
As a child star, she appeared in the following movies and shows:
- Bella (2006)
- Law & Order (2007)
- And Then Came Love (2007)
- Margot at the Wedding (2007)
- New York City Serenade (2007)
- Mammoth (2009)
- William Vincent (2010)
- An Invisible Sign (2010)
- Mistakes Were Made (2011)
- Noah (2014)
- Born Again (2015)
- Primetime: What Would You Do? (2015)
Source: IMDB
Nyweide starred alongside Jessica Alba in An Invisible Sign and James Franco in Shadows and Lies.
Shelly posted a heartfelt tribute to her daughter, calling her a “light for all who met her.”
“For those us of who were truly close with Sophie, we are gutted and will need a long time to get over her passing,” she wrote on Instagram.
“I know I never will. God I love my daughter. I want her back. Fly high sweetheart – you always could.”
Along with the thoughtful tribute, Nyweide’s mother shared a photo of her late daughter smiling with glasses on.
“I wish I could lessen your pain, but a loss like this is hard to accept.” one commenter wrote under the post.
“My heart aches with you, Shelly. You have been through so much.”
TRIBUTES POUR IN
Under the obituary shared on Legacy.com, friends and acquaintances shared their memories of the actress.
“I meant Sophie back in 2020 at a Halloween party. She was dressed as Alice n Wonderland,” commenter Julie Fortier wrote.
“She complimented us on how cute we looked. But I’ll never forget how beautiful she was and how easily you could just connect with her and conversations flowed.
“May you be at peace now beautiful angel. My prayers and condolences to her family.”
Another longtime friend of Nyweide’s shared old photos of the two at Stratton Mountain in Vermont.
“Hold your friends close and tell them you love them, this life is so fragile. I´ll never forget you Sophie. You were like a sister to me. I will never forget all of our memories we made at Stratton,” she wrote.
“You brightened my day and many others with your infectious smile and laugh. I always knew we could be 100% ourselves around each other. Till I see you again, I love you.”
Nyweide’s obituary says donations in her name can be made to RAINN.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.