Child Star Sophie Nyweide, Known for 'Mammoth' and 'An Invisible Sign,' Passes Away at 24
Former child actress Sophie Nyweide, recognized for her performances in "Mammoth" and "An Invisible Sign," has passed away at age 24, according to reports.
An obituary published on Legacy.com on April 17 confirmed Nyweide's death occurred on April 14. The cause of death was not specified.
Shelly Gibson, Nyweide's mother and an actress, verified her daughter's passing to The Hollywood Reporter and TMZ in articles dated April 22. Gibson stated that Nyweide died in Bennington, Vermont, and mentioned an active police investigation.
The obituary reflected, "Sophie. A life cut short too soon. May her time on earth inspire us to do better and protect our children."
Nyweide's representatives could not be reached for comment at the time of publication.
While the details of Sophie Nyweide's passing remain uncertain, her obituary shed light on some of the personal challenges she faced.
"Sophie was a gentle and trusting soul," the obituary noted. "This often made her vulnerable to exploitation by others. She expressed herself tirelessly through writing and drawing, creating art that revealed both her profound depth and the pain she endured. Her writings and artwork serve as poignant reflections of her struggles and traumas."
Despite efforts from Nyweide's family, friends, therapists, law enforcement, and others to support her, the obituary revealed that the actress turned to self-medication to cope with deep-seated trauma and shame, ultimately leading to her death.
The obituary did not detail the specific traumas Nyweide endured, noting only that she frequently insisted she would manage on her own and resisted treatment that might have been lifesaving.
In place of flowers or gifts, the obituary encouraged donations to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, an organization dedicated to combating sexual violence.
Sophie Nyweide rose to prominence as a child actress with standout roles in 'Mammoth' and 'An Invisible Sign.' She debuted at age 6 in the 2006 romantic drama "Bella," starring as the titular character alongside Eduardo Verástegui, Tammy Blanchard, and Manny Perez.
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"I was desperate to act, constantly pleading with my mom," Nyweide shared in a January 2010 interview with The Barre Montpelier Times Argus. "She found it amusing since she was an actress before I was born."
After roles in late-2000s films like "And Then Came Love," "Margot at the Wedding," and "New York City Serenade," Nyweide secured the part of Jackie Vidales in the 2009 film "Mammoth," starring Michelle Williams and Gael García Bernal.
In 2010, Nyweide shone in "An Invisible Sign," a coming-of-age dramedy where she played the student of math teacher Mona Gray, portrayed by Golden Globe-nominated actress Jessica Alba.
"She thrived on set, stepping into different characters," her obituary noted. "It was a sanctuary for her, surrounded by casts and crews who nurtured her talent and well-being."
After "An Invisible Sign," Nyweide's acting career tapered off. She appeared in a few short films and had a small role in Darren Aronofsky's 2014 biblical epic "Noah." Her final credited role, per IMDb, was a 2015 appearance on ABC's hidden-camera show "What Would You Do?"
For those struggling with substance abuse, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline is available at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
For survivors of sexual violence or their loved ones, RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline provides free, confidential, 24/7 support in English and Spanish at 800.656.HOPE (4673), Hotline.RAINN.org, and RAINN.org/es.