Skye McCole Bartusiak (September 28, 1992 – July 19, 2014) was an American film and television actress.

Life and career

McCole Bartusiak was born in Houston, Texas, where she lived until her death with her parents Raymond Donald Bartusiak and Helen McCole. She attended St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal school for her elementary education.

McCole Bartusiak's first starred in The Patriot, starring Mel Gibson, in 2000. She later played the young Marilyn Monroe in the TV miniseries Blonde, and Don't Say a Word alongside Michael Douglas and Brittany Murphy, both in 2001. She also played the young Charlie McGee in the sequel to Firestarter, Firestarter 2: Rekindled and Megan Matheson in the television series 24.

McCole Bartusiak made an appearance in the short film The Vest in 2003 and played the part of The Girl in Once Not Far from Home in 2005. She also tried her hand at theatre, playing in The Miracle Worker alongside Hilary Swank, which had a two-week run at the Charlotte Theatre in North Carolina.

In 2003, McCole Bartusiak returned to period drama with Love Comes Softly, and a year later she played the young Jackie in Against the Ropes alongside Meg Ryan. One of her strongest roles[citation needed] has been as Franny Roberts in the horror film Boogeyman. In 2005, she starred in the "Kids" episode of the hospital drama series House, and took a lead role as Sunshine in the film Kill Your Darlings, about a troubled teen who goes to extreme measures to gain the attention of her psychiatrist father.

Death

Celebrity Web sites TMZ and Variety reported on July 19, 2014, that McCole Bartusiak was found dead in a "garage apartment" behind her Texas home. Variety staff said she "died in her sleep"; TMZ reported that no foul play is suspected, pending the results of toxicology tests.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes

1999 The Cider House RulesHazel
1999 Witness Protection Suzie BattonTV2000The Prophet's GameAdele Highsmith (child)
2000 The Patriot Susan Martin
2000 The Darkling Casey OboldTV2001 BlondeYoung Norma Jeane BakerTV

2001 Don't Say a WordJessie Conrad
2001 Riding in Cars with BoysAmelia - Age 8
2001 The Affair of the NecklaceDoveScenes deleted

2002 Flashpoint Lizzie
2002 Firestarter: Rekindled Young Charlie McGee TV

2002 Beyond the Prairie: The True Story of Laura Ingalls Wilder Rose Wilder TV

2003 The Vest Sara Short

2003 Love Comes Softly Missie Davis TV

2004 Against the Ropes Little Jackie
2005 Boogeyman Franny
2006 Kill Your Darlings Sunshine
2006 Once Not Far from Home The Little Girl Short

2006 Razor SharpIsis/Ice-6 Short

2008 A Fix Natalie Coleman Short

2008 Pineapple Alex
2009 Wild About HarryDaisy Goodhart
2011 Good Day for It Rachel
2012 Twelve Hungry Men Jesse Short

2012 Dr. Oscar Griffith: Hollywood Psychiatrist The Pop Star/Rachel Short

2012Sick Boy Lucy

Television

Year Title RoleNotes

1999 Storm of the CenturyPippa Hatcher4 episodes

1999 JAGRachel Sherkston1 episode ("Shakedown")

1999 Judging AmyMarcy Noble1 episode ("Presumed Innocent")

2000 ProvidenceJessie1 episode ("Taking a Chance on Love")

2000FrasierGirl with Drawing1 episode ("The Three Faces of Frasier")

2000 Law & Order: Special Victims UnitJennifer1 episode ("Legacy")

2001 Touched by an AngelSarah1 episode ("The Birthday Present"

)2002-200324 Megan Matheson8 episodes

2004 George LopezL'il Bit2 episodes ("The Simple Life" and "Trouble in Paradise")

2005 HouseMary Carroll1 episode ("Kids")

2005 LostYoung Kate1 episode ("Born to Run") Voice Uncredited

2005 CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationSusan Lester1 episode ("Bite Me")

2007 Close to Home Amber1 episode ("Fall from Grace")

As director

Year Title

2011 University of Penn Relay Carnival

Awards and nominations

Yea Ceremony Category Work Result

2001 Young Artist Awards Best Ensemble in a Feature Film (shared with cast) The Patriot Nominated

2002 Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a Feature Film: Young Actress Age Ten or Under Riding in Cars with BoysNominated

2002 Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama): Young Actress Age 10 or Under Touched by an Angel Nominated