Samantha Gail Weinstein (March 20, 1995 – May 14, 2023) was a Canadian actress.

Samantha Weinstein
Weinstein at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2011
Born
Samantha Gail Weinstein

(1995-03-20)March 20, 1995
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
DiedMay 14, 2023(2023-05-14) (aged 28)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
OccupationActress
Years active2001–2023
Notable workHeather in Carrie
Audrey O'Hara in Jesus Henry Christ
Sloane Plunderman in D.N. Ace
Spouse
Michael Knutson
(m. 2022)

Life and work

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Samantha Gail Weinstein was born in Toronto, Ontario on March 20, 1995. She began her professional acting career at the age of six. By 2008, at the age of thirteen, she had appeared in the films Siblings in 2004,[1] Big Girl in 2005,[2] Ninth Street Chronicles in 2006,[3] The Stone Angel in 2007, and Toronto Stories in 2008.[4]

In February 2006, the 10-year-old Weinstein won the ACTRA Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female for her work in Big Girl,[5][6] the youngest performer ever to win that award.[7]

She was also a prolific voice actor, working in many cartoons right up until the last few weeks before her death, and was a singer and guitarist in the garage rock band Killer Virgins.[7]

Death

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On May 14, 2023, Weinstein died at the age of 28, following from her two and a half year battle with ovarian cancer at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, Ontario.[7][8]

Prior to her death, Weinstein had come out as nonbinary.[9][10]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2004 Siblings Danielle
2005 Big Girl Josephine Short film
2006 Ninth Street Chronicles Sara
2007 The Stone Angel Child Hagar Currie
2008 Toronto Stories Cayle
The Rocker Violet Supporting role
2010 Babar and the Adventures of Badou Chiku Voice
2012 Jesus Henry Christ Audrey O'Hara Main role
2013 Carrie Heather Supporting role
Haunter Frances Nichols
2015 Reign Brooke

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2003 The Red Green Show Sam the Brownie Episode: "The Spelling Bee"
2004 72 Hours: True Crime Lindsay Episode: "The Game"
XPM Emma MacDonald
The Winning Season Reeny Soshack TV film
2005 Zoe Busiek: Wild Card Young Zoe Episode: "A Whisper from Zoe's Sister"
2005 At the Hotel Piper Recurring role (4 episodes)
2005–2007 Gerald McBoing Boing Janine Voice, recurring role
2005 Swarmed Cindy Orsow TV film
2008 The Border Katie Johanson Episode: "Grave Concern"
Super Why! Swan Maiden Voice, 2 episodes
Céline: Her Life Story Margaret TV film
2009 Maggie Hill Emily Ransom TV film
Being Erica Young Erica Episode: "Adultescence"
2010 Less Than Kind Jen Episode: "Coming Home"
2010–2012 Babar and the Adventures of Badou Chiku Voice, recurring role (26 episodes)
2012 Copper Kayleigh O'Connor Episode: "In the Hands of an Angry God"
2014 Darknet Heather Episode: "Darknet 3"
2016 The ZhuZhus Mindy Gelato Voice, recurring role
2017 Alias Grace Effie Recurring role (3 episodes)
Wishfart Finnula Voice, recurring role
2019–2020 D.N. Ace Sloane Plunderman Voice, main role
2020-2022 Let's Go Luna! Gina, Harmony Voice, episode: "Arrievederci Aqua!" "Love and Harmony"
2021–2023 Dino Ranch Clara Tinhorn Voice
2023 FLCL: Grunge Akira, Saya Voice, episode: "Shonari" "Orinoko"

Awards and nominations

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References

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  1. ^ Rita Zekas, "Step-sibling survivalry". Toronto Star, September 18, 2004.
  2. ^ Gayle MacDonald, "Twinkle, twinkle little star". The Globe and Mail, September 10, 2005.
  3. ^ "Toronto child actor Samantha Weinstein to make third appearance at TIFF". Canadian Press, July 21, 2006.
  4. ^ Rita Zekas, "At 13, already a TIFF veteran; Samantha Weinstein in their 6th festival film with Toronto Stories". Toronto Star, September 5, 2008.
  5. ^ "Tom McCamus, Samantha Weinstein win ACTRA Awards". The Daily Gleaner, February 25, 2006.
  6. ^ a b Gayle MacDonald, "A best actress at 10, they already wants to direct". The Globe and Mail, March 6, 2006.
  7. ^ a b c Puzic, Sonja (May 24, 2023). "'Embodiment of a sunbeam': Canadian actor, musician Samantha Weinstein dies at 28". The Canadian Press. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  8. ^ Vlessing, Etan (May 25, 2023). "Canadian Actress Samantha Weinstein Dies at 28". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  9. ^ Evans, Greg (May 25, 2023). "Samantha Weinstein Dies: 'Alias Grace', 'Carrie' Remake Actor Was 28". Deadline. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  10. ^ Weinstein, Samantha (July 15, 2022). "'What's the best thing that ever happened to me? Easy. Getting cancer.': Cancer patient shares beautiful love story, self discovery". Love What Matters. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  11. ^ Bauder, Sarah (October 10, 2013). "Breakthrough Jew – Samantha Weinstein". shalomlife.com. Archived from the original on December 25, 2014. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
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