Skye McCole Bartusiak, ‘The Patriot’ Actress, Dead at 21

Skye McCole Bartusiak, who played Mel Gibson‘s daughter in the 2000 Revolutionary War epic “The Patriot,” died Saturday at her home in Texas.

“We are all shocked and heartbroken over Skye’s passing,” Bartusiak’s manager Joe Borrasso said in a statement given to TheWrap. “Aside from being incredibly talented, Skye was a beautiful and loving person who will be greatly missed. We ask everybody to respect the family’s privacy during this most difficult time of grieving.”

Born in Houston in 1992, Bartusiak made her acting debut in the television miniseries “Storm of the Century” in 1999.

Also read: James Garner, ‘Rockford Files’ and ‘Maverick’ Star, Dead at 86

That same year she appeared in the TV series “JAG,” as well as the Oscar-winning film “The Cider House Rules,” according to her IMDB page.

Bartusiak also had roles on the TV shows “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” “24,” and “Lost.”

Fellow child star Abigail Breslin, who was very close to Bartusiak, tweeted her condolences: “One of my very good friends and someone who was like a sister to me, Skye McCole Bartusiak passed away today. So devastated.”

See photos: Hollywood’s Notable Deaths of 2014 (Photos)

Roland Emmerich, who directed and produced “The Patriot,” also paid tribute to Bartusiak on Twitter writing, “This is not the kind of news you want to begin your day with. RIP sweet Skye McCole Bartusiak.”

The actress’ cause of death was not immediately known. She was 21.

Watch the clip below of Bartusiak in “The Patriot.”