Rising Broadway star Laurel Griggs has died due to a massive asthma attack at the age of 13.
Best known for her role as Ivanka in the Tony Award-winning musical Once, Laurel died on November 5.
On Saturday, Griggs’ grandfather, David Rivlin, announced on Facebook that Laurel suffered a “massive asthma attack.” Her funeral was held on Friday.
He wrote, “The world lost a real princess who only wanted to make the future happy for all. Acting was a just a childhood dream come true and she had big plans for the future.”
Born on June 28, 2006, Laurel made her Broadway debut at the age of 6 in the revival of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” alongside Scarlett Johansson, and then she played Ivanka in the musical Once.
Laurel’s fellow Broadway actress Eliza Holland Madore wrote on Instagram, “I am deeply saddened by the sudden loss of one of my Ivanka sisters. 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.”
Lucas Papaelias, her fellow co-star, wrote on Instagram, “My @oncemusical family tragically lost one of our youngest members this past week. … We will never forget this sweet, talented young soul.”
Apart from Broadway, Laurel appeared on “Saturday Night Live” three times. Most recently, she appeared in Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards skit with Natalie Portman and Mikey Day.
Rivlin thanked everyone for their condolences. He wrote, “Though my heart is broken forever with the tragic loss of my granddaughter, Laurel, I want to thank all of you for your kind words that have meant so much as I grieve for her loss.” “I am eternally grateful to all of you,” he added.
