Samantha Weinstein, best known for her role as Heather in the remake of Carrie, as well as a multitude of voice-acting roles, has died. She was 28.
The young actress' family announced on her Instagram account on May 15, 2023, that she had passed the previous morning following a lengthy battle with cancer.
"Hello from the other side ????," the post's caption began, alongside two edited photos that made Weinstein appear as though she were flying excitedly through a galaxy.
"Sam died on May 14th at 11:25am surrounded by her loved ones at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. After two and a half years of cancer treatment, and a lifetime of jet setting around the world, voicing a plethora of cartoon animals, making music, and knowing more about life than most people ever will, she is off on her next adventure."
Countless touching tributes were posted in the comments, including, "So gutted to read this but inspired by Sam's bravery and unwavering commitment to living and dying on her own terms," and, "My heart aches but these photos also make me smile so hard ?? She was one in a trillion. An incredible creature to behold. I was constantly in awe of her. She did indeed burn incredibly bright. Sending so much love xo."
Weinstein was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer at 25 years old. In an open essay about her life since diagnosis, she once wrote, "Getting cancer is the worst thing that's ever happened to me, but in the strangest of ways it has also been the best thing. I have more love in my life and for myself than I ever could have imagined, and I see every day as a gift."
Weinstein is survived by her husband, Michael Knutson, with whom she'd just returned from her honeymoon in Japan earlier this month.