Skye McCole Bartusiak Net Worth

What Was Skye McCole Bartusiak's Net Worth?

Skye McCole Bartusiak was an American actress who had a net worth of $250 thousand at the time of her death. Skye McCole Bartusiak began working professionally as a young child and appeared in more than 30 film and television productions.

She was best known for playing Susan Martin, the youngest daughter of Mel Gibson's character, in the 2000 historical drama "The Patriot." One of the film's most memorable scenes featured Bartusiak's character breaking her silence and pleading with her father not to leave.

Bartusiak also played Jessie Conrad in the thriller "Don't Say a Word" and had roles in "The Cider House Rules," "Riding in Cars with Boys," "Against the Ropes," and "Boogeyman." On television, she portrayed Megan Matheson during the second season of "24" and appeared in programs including "JAG," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "House," and "Lost."

Although much of her career occurred during childhood, Bartusiak continued acting as a teenager and young adult. Her later work included independent films such as "American Primitive," "Good Day for It," and "Sick Boy."

Early Life

Skye McCole Bartusiak was born on September 28, 1992, in Houston, Texas. Her mother, Helen McCole Bartusiak, worked as an actress, producer, and director. Her older brother, Stephen Dylan Bartusiak, also worked as a child model.

Skye attended schools in Houston before completing her high school education through Laurel Springs School, a private distance-learning program frequently used by young performers.

Child Acting Career

Bartusiak began acting professionally in 1999. Her early credits included the Stephen King television miniseries "Storm of the Century," the television movie "Witness Protection," and the Academy Award-winning drama "The Cider House Rules."

Her breakthrough came in 2000 when she was cast as Susan Martin in "The Patriot." The film starred Mel Gibson as a widowed farmer who becomes involved in the American Revolutionary War. Bartusiak's emotional performance helped make Susan one of the film's most memorable supporting characters.

The following year, she appeared opposite Michael Douglas and Brittany Murphy in "Don't Say a Word." She also played a younger version of Drew Barrymore's character in "Riding in Cars with Boys."

Bartusiak portrayed Rose Wilder in the television movie "Beyond the Prairie: The True Story of Laura Ingalls Wilder" and its sequel. She also appeared in the Hallmark drama "Love Comes Softly."

Getty Images

Television and Later Films

From 2002 to 2003, Bartusiak had a recurring role on "24" as Megan Matheson, the abused daughter of a wealthy businessman. Her character became involved in the storyline surrounding Kim Bauer, played by Elisha Cuthbert.

Bartusiak's additional television appearances included episodes of "JAG," "Judging Amy," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "House," and "Lost."

Her later movie credits included "Against the Ropes," "Boogeyman," "Kill Your Darlings," "Pineapple," "American Primitive," "Good Day for It," and the horror film "Sick Boy." She also became interested in directing and producing and had begun working on her own projects.

Death

Skye McCole Bartusiak died on July 19, 2014, at her family's home in Houston. She was 21 years old.

Her family initially reported that she had recently experienced epileptic seizures. An investigation by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences later determined that her death was caused by the combined toxic effects of hydrocodone, difluoroethane, and carisoprodol. Her death was ruled an accident.

Who's Richer?

Skye
McCole Bartusiak

Compare!

Joely
Richardson