Samantha Weinstein’s untimely death leaves a void in the entertainment industry and serves as a reminder of the importance of raising awareness about ovarian cancer.
Samantha Weinstein, best known as Heather in the 2013 film Carrie, has died after a short battle with ovarian cancer. She died at 11:25 a.m. on May 14 at Toronto’s Princess Margaret Hospital, surrounded by family members, according to a statement released by her family on May 15.
“She is on her next adventure,” her family wrote in a statement posted on her Instagram account. “After two and a half years of cancer treatment and a lifetime of jet-setting around the world, voicing countless cartoon animals, making music, and knowing more about life than most people ever will,” the statement read.
ÂÂÂÂÂView this post on InstagramÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ
In January 2021, Weinstein underwent “emergency surgery to remove a massive cyst that had swallowed one of my ovaries.” months later that she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
Samantha Weinstein has been acting since she was six years old and landed her first major role in 2004 when she was cast in Siblings. Between 2005 and 2008, she had multiple film roles in Big Girl (2005), The Stone Angel (2007), Toronto Stories (2008), and The Rocker (2008).
Weinstein got her next big break when she was chosen to play Heather in Carrie, the fourth installment in the Carrie series. She last appeared on film in 2015’s Reign but has since voiced characters in a number of TV series, including The ZhuZhus, Wishfart, D.N. Ace, and Dino Ranch.
ÂÂÂÂÂView this post on InstagramÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ
The 28-year-old is survived by Michael Knutson, whom she married on October 29, 2022, roughly two years after she was diagnosed with cancer. Just a week after this diagnosis, the two went on their first date. Samantha informed Michael of her sudden illness, but he insisted that he would be there for her.
Michael shook my hand and smiled. His mother died two years ago after an eight-year battle with cancer. He was ready for it, she said in a letter published by Loves What Matters in July 2022. He reminded me to let others take care of me while teaching me that love is selfless.
Before she was diagnosed, Samantha Weinstein was at the top of her game.
Samantha Weinstein couldn’t contain her utter amazement after receiving her ovarian cancer diagnosis in an open letter to Love What Matters. She believed she was “at the peak of what I assumed would be the rest of my life as a young creative in Toronto” at the time, as she was “in the best shape of my life”.
ÂÂÂÂÂView this post on InstagramÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ
“My family never had a history of cancer. My punk rock band Killer Virgins and I had just finished shooting a music video and we were a week away from releasing our debut song. I lived with an amazing hippie-Earth-mom roommate and her two cats while she worked as a full-time voice actress, she wrote.
Then, one night, she began feeling and appearing bloated as she headed home from a friend’s house after consuming “way too much wine.” As her friends assured her it was normal and believed it was just “ovulation”, even though she was aware she wasn’t pregnant at the time, she didn’t worry.
ÂÂÂÂÂView this post on InstagramÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ
In an open letter, she stated, “Spoiler alert — it wasn’t ovulation or anything.” It wasn’t long before she was on the operating table as doctors removed a large cyst. Samantha Weinstein died after being alive for more than two years; may he rest in peace.
ÂÂÂÂÂView this post on InstagramÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ
Her courageous decision to share her journey openly touched the hearts of many and shed light on the challenges faced by individuals battling this disease.
As we reflect on the life and legacy of Samantha Weinstein, let’s honor her memory by supporting ongoing research and advocacy efforts in the fight against ovarian cancer. May her courageous spirit and unwavering love serve as an inspiration to all who face adversity, and may she rest in eternal peace.