TV/film actress and producer Samantha Schubert died yesterday (25th April, Monday) at the Prince Court Medical Centre in Kuala Lumpur after a hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 47 years old.
Samantha studied at the Lee Strasburg School of Film & Theatre Los Angeles, The Beverly Hills Playhouse Los Angeles, and Drama Studio London before pursuing a modelling career in Malaysia in the early 90s.
In 1991, she was crowned Miss Malaysia/World 1991 and became a household name when she went on to appear in numerous print campaigns and 30 television commercials. One of her most iconic television commercials was the Nescafe Classic TV commercial in 1995.
Her illustrious career also included her roles in several films e.g. “Red Scorpion 2” (1994), “Amok” (1997), and “The Red Kebaya” (2006) as well as many local theatre productions including “Wish I Was There” and “The Odd Couple” by The Actors Studio, “The Good Body” and “4.48 Psychosis”, directed by Gavin Yap.
Samantha was first diagnosed with the disease in August last year after returning to Malaysia from England. Her tumour was deemed inoperable and she had to undergo 3 rounds of chemotherapy. On 11th March, she was admitted to Prince Court Medical Centre following complications from her illness and had been under care there since.
Condolences and messages have been pouring in since last night from scores of celebrities and fans from near and far. Among the messages was one from Malaysian actress and director Susan Lankester, who shared, “Sammy was a loving mother, a great and loyal friend, and my ‘little sister’. I am very proud to have shared the stage with her. Not having her with me will create a hole in my heart. I love her and miss her.”
“Though I can count the amount of times we met, I remember each and every time that your aura spoke volumes about what kind of angel you were. Your smile and love for life was beyond infectious. And as you join the rest of the angels, condolences to the family and loved ones. I will always remember the knowing looks and comforting pats on the back you gave me- from an experienced mom to a rookie mom,” wrote radio/TV host and emcee Serena C.
Tiara Jacquelina also took to her Facebook page to say, “Samantha was one of the members of the Kit Kat Klub show, and could dance to Paula Abdul’s Straight Up like nobody else could. Rest well, laugh and keep dancing dear Sam. I’ll miss the friendship we shared since we were young, free and single. May your strength live on in the beautiful children you raised. Love you Sam.. and I’m really going to miss you.”
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Fellow artiste Hans Isaac said he was “completely devastated by her death”. “I will miss her, I will miss my conversations with her,” he added.
Samantha Schubert leaves behind her son Thomas from her marriage to Oliver Knotts, as well as 2 other adopted children, Jodie and Harry.
Rest in peace, Samantha Schubert <3
Sources: The Star Online, Yahoo! News, NST, Samantha Schubert, MMO.
