Samantha Weinstein, the Canadian actress best known for starring in the movie Carrie, has died at the age of 28.
Weinstein's family confirmed the tragic news of her passing on Instagram, after the actress had battled ovarian cancer for over two years.
Sharing a photoshopped image of Weinstein floating through a multicolored universe, they wrote: "Hello from the other side.
"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."
Weinstein's father, David, shared a touching tribute to his daughter, telling Global News Canada: "Sam was actually a living embodiment of a sunbeam.
"She was so full of positive energy, anyone who ever met her would say that she just lit up every room she walked into."
Her mother, JoJo, added: "Samantha changed everyone's lives. And I know that sounds really dramatic, but people are really serious when they say that. Her infectious, positive attitude actually changed the way other people live."
Weinstein had begun her acting career at the age of six and had voiced many characters in animated TV series.
One of her most famous roles was starring as high school student Heather in the 2013 remake of Carrie alongside Chloe Grace Moretz and Julianne Moore.
She also earned an ACTRA award for outstanding performance by a female at the age of 10 for her role as Josephine in 2005's Big Girl.
In her final weeks, her father had also revealed that she was doing voiceover work for cartoons including Mittens & Pants and Dino Ranch.
Weinstein shared her final Instagram post on May 2, sharing some sweet snaps from her honeymoon with her husband.
She had often shared her cancer journey with her followers, including in June 2022 when she updated fans after having surgery.
Weinstein shared photos of herself in her hospital bed as she told her followers: "My surgery went well today! Better than everyone thought it would, in fact, and I'm so relieved.
"Anxiety (especially before a major surgery!) can be a stressed little rabbit with a pocket watch leading you down a deep, dark hole, but your fears are not facts, my friends! Let them wash over you, say hello, then let them go. #lifewithcancer."
She had announced her diagnosis in April 2021, writing on social media at the time: "I have cancer.
"This may come as a shock to many of you, but I've been battling a rare form of ovarian cancer for the past 3 months. I am forever grateful to my team at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre for the incredible level of care I've received, and going forward I'll be documenting my journey as I undergo 3 rounds of chemotherapy.
"I'm a firm believer that representation in media matters, and cancer treatment is no different. Cancer can affect anyone - I'm living proof of that. I figure that if someone else out there with cancer sees me going through it, maybe it will give them a shred of strength too.
"While there are no guarantees in life, my outcome is very good and I have every shot of living a long, healthy life post-treatment. Chemo will be my toughest journey yet, but it will make me stronger than I've ever been. See you tomorrow for Day 1 #futurecancersurvivor."
Our thoughts are with Weinstein's family and friends at this difficult time.
