NZ Actress Sophia Hawthorne Has Passed Away Suddenly

One of New Zealand's best-known actresses, Sophia Hawthorne, has died suddenly.

Theatre sources confirmed her death to the New Zealand Herald this morning.

Hawthorne, the daughter of renowned acting couple Elizabeth and Raymond Hawthorne, starred in Cabaret, Closer, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, but it was her roles in movies, When Love Comes, and, Savage Honeymoon, in which she played wild-child Leesa Savage, that saw her breakthrough into the big screen.

Hawthorne was twice nominated for Best Actress in a TV Drama for her role in the television show Insiders Guide to Happiness.

She also starred in the TV movie Bliss: The Beginning of Katherine Mansfield.

Her mother is currently starring in TV2's new multi-million-dollar local drama, Filthy Rich.

More details to come here.