
Former ‘Noah' child actress Sophie Nyweide dead at 24
The star passed away on Monday, according to an online obituary. A cause of death was not confirmed, but Nyweide's family spoke candidly about her struggles in her obituary.
7 Childhood actress Sophie Nyweide.
shellythegibson/Instagram
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'Sophie was a kind and trusting girl,' the tribute began. '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.'
The obituary noted that those close to Nyweide tried to get her to accept help, which she denied.
'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,' the obituary continued. '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.'
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7 Childhood actress Sophie Nyweide and her mom Shelly Gibson.
shellythegibson/Instagram
Nyweide's mom, Shelly Gibson, was also an actress, known for 'All My Children' (1970) and 'St. Elsewhere' (1982). It was clear her daughter was set to follow in her footsteps from a young age.
'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,' the obituary read. '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.'
'Sophie. A life ended too soon. May it not be in vain. May we all learn from her brief life on earth and do better. Yes, we must all protect our children and do better.'
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7 Actress Sophie Nyweide arrives at the 'New York City Serenade' World Premiere screening in 2007.
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7 Sophie Nyweide arrives for the screening of the movie 'Bella.'
Scott Wintrow
Gibson told TMZ on Tuesday, 'We are very distraught and mourning. All I can say is her time acting was brief but 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. Please let her rest in peace now.'
Alluding to her cause of death, Gibson added that 'my knowledge is she was using drugs and was a tiny young woman.'
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'She was with other people when she died. I didn't know them. There is an investigation ongoing. The autopsy results are not in. They said it would take 6-8 weeks. So I can't say definitively.'
7 Sophie Nyweide at the premiere of 'Mammoth.'
Corbis via Getty Images
7 Jessica Alba and Sophie Nyweide in 'An Invisible Sign.'
©IFC Films/Courtesy Everett Collection
Nyweide's first role was in the 2006 romance/drama 'Bella.' A year later, she starred in an episode of 'Law & Order,' followed by 'And Then Came Love' and 'Margot at the Wedding.'
In 2009, Nyweide played the daughter of Gael García Bernal and Michelle Williams in the 2009 romance/drama 'Mammoth.'
She also starred in the 2010 romcom 'An Invisible Sign' with Jessica Alba.
Her last credits included the 2014 film 'Noah' — alongside Russell Crowe, Emma Watson and Logan Lerman — and the 2015 short 'Born Again.'
7 Gael García Bernal, Michelle Williams, and Sophie Nyweide in 'Mammoth.'
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Gibson also took to Instagram to share the news of her daughter's passing.
'RIP, my Sophie. She graced us for far too short a time. My daughter was 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. I know I never will. God I love my daughter,' she penned. 'I want her back. Fly high sweetheart – you always could.'
Nyweide is survived by Gibson and her brother Huck.
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