The Broadway community in New York City has rallied around the family of 13-year-old actress Laurel Griggs who died suddenly of an asthma attack last week.
Theaters along Manhattan’s Great White Way dimmed the lights on their marquees on Friday in honor of Griggs as part of a long-standing tradition.
‘She turned out to be a big deal. Bigger than I thought,’ her father, Andrew Griggs, told CNN.
Since news of Griggs’ untimely death broke over the weekend, former cast mates and friends of the young performer have been flocking to social media to mourn her loss.
The teen passed away on November 5 and was laid to rest on Friday. Her father said more than 1,000 attended his daughter’s funeral.
Child actress Eliza Holland Madore, who, like Laurel Griggs, also played Ivanka in the musical Once, shared this emotional message on her Instagram page honoring the 13-year-old star
Fellow Once alum Ripley Sobo mourned Griggs’ sudden and untimely death caused by a massive asthma attack last week
The production of Once honored the former star on Facebook, calling her a’beautiful young lady’
After making her Broadway debut at age six in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, opposite Scarlett Johansson, Griggs joined the cast of the Tony Award-winning musical Once, where she played the role of Ivanka for 17 months, which was longer than any other actress in the Broadway production’s history.
The production of Once posted a message on Facebook honoring the young star.
‘This beautiful young lady was part of our Once family. Please keep her family in your prayers,’ the status update read.
Two other actresses who portrayed Ivanka in the musical shared emotional tributes on Instagram.
Griggs passed away on November 5 following a two-year battle with asthama
‘I am deeply saddened by the sudden loss of one of my Ivanka sisters,’ wrote Eliza Holland Mador. ‘Laurel- you were always smiling and always made other people laugh. I’m so incredibly grateful that I got to know you. You will never be forgotten, and we will never stop loving you. Everybody in the Once Family is going to keep you alive through us. R.I.P. My heart goes to her family.’
Fellow thespian Ripley Sobo also affectionately referred to Griggs as her ‘Ivanka,’ sister, writing that their Once family has ‘lost a piece of our heart.’
Sobo went on to write of Griggs: ‘she was always happy, smiling and free with her hugs every time I saw her. She will be missed so much. My thoughts and prayers to her family, friends and anyone who had the honor of being blessed by knowing her.’
Griggs’ family told the New York Post that she had suffered a fatal asthma attack.
In addition to her stage work, Laurel had done a number of commercials and voice-overs.
Some of her career highlights also included several appearances on Saturday Night Live and on the animated series Bubble Guppies.
The actress shared a pictured of herself outside the NBC studios after one of her spots on SNL and wrote: ‘Dreams do come true,’ in the caption.
The budding star also starred in the 2016 romantic comedy-drama Cafe Society that featured Steve Carrell, Kristen Stewart, Blake Lively, Parker Posey and Jesse Eisenberg.
According to her IMDb page. Griggs had a reputation for being ‘an incredibly professional child who respects her craft and others.’
Griggs made her Broadway debut at the age of six in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, alongside Scarlett Johansson (pictured)
Her family said at she had suffered a fatal asthma attack, passed away on November 5 and was laid to rest on Friday, November 8. Laurel is pictured with her parents Andy and Liz Griggs in an undated photo
Rising star: Griggs starred in Broadway’s Cat On A Hot Tin Roof and the musical Once; she is pictured in December 2017 after one of her appearances on Saturday Night Live and wrote, ‘Dreams do come true,’ in the caption of the Instagram photo
In October 2017 she shared the snap above to Instagram after an SNL appearance with the caption: ‘Last night was the most amazing night of my life! Thank you to the cast and crew of Saturday Night Live for making me feel so welcome! Also thank you to my spectacular agent @bonshumobloom for giving me this once in a lifetime opportunity! #SNL #dreamsdocometrue #NBC #actresslife’
Broadway actress Laurel Griggs passed away at the age of 13 on November 5, after suffering a fatal asthma attack
Laurel is pictured with her parents Andy and Liz Griggs on July 5, 2008 in East Hampton, New York
She also donated her time to numerous charities including Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Griggs also professed to have a love for music, reading, swimming, singing, ice skating, playing with friends and, of course, watching movies and television.
The teenager had been living with her parents and going to public school in Manhattan.
Actor Lucas Papaelias said: ‘Mmy @oncemusical family tragically lost one of our youngest members this past week. we are all heartbroken & devastated. sending love and my deepest condolences to the family of @laurelgriggs_ who played the role of Ivanka on Broadway. we will never forget this sweet, talented young soul.’
Donations can be made in Laurel Griggs’ memory by going to Broadway Cares (broadwaycares.org)
