Actress Samantha Morton has shared the recent passing of her sister, who died at the age of 53 in April. The news comes just 18 months after the death of her biological father. Morton, 49, stated in a recent interview that she is "still dealing with the coroners and trauma" following her sister's death.
Morton, who has a history of difficult childhood experiences, including spending a decade in foster care and children's homes, reflected on the ongoing impact of loss. "My relationship with my past changes as I age and my children age, but things keep happening," she told The Sunday Times. "I sadly lost my sister on April 22 this year, she was 53."
She added, "I lost my real father 18 months ago. Trauma. So the past is always with me and I'm not saying I'm not going to be all right next week, but every day I wake, say a prayer and say 'Please help me'." Morton described resilience as a necessity for survival, noting, "Someone told me I was resilient when I was younger but sometimes you've got no choice other than to be resilient because if you're not, you're dead."
Morton's childhood was marked by her parents' separation when she was two, living with an alcoholic father who had a history of imprisonment, and a mother who experienced a breakdown. Her stepfather, who passed away in 2007, also had a history of alcoholism and served prison time for attempted murder. The actress was placed in multiple foster families and children's homes starting at age eight.
She has previously spoken about acting as a saving grace in her life, citing a childhood viewing of the film "Kes" as a pivotal moment. Morton dedicated her 2024 Bafta Fellowship to "every child in care, or who has been in care and who didn't survive" and created the Bafta-winning TV drama "The Unloved," which depicted the struggles of a child growing up in the care system. Her experiences with the care system, including neglect and violence, led her to be made a Ward of Court.
Beyond familial and childhood trauma, Morton has also navigated personal health challenges, including injuries from a car accident at age 12 and a stroke at 30 following a head injury. The latter required an 18-month break from acting to relearn basic functions like walking and talking.
Morton has been vocal about her past, including reporting sexual abuse by residential care workers at age 13, which she stated was not acted upon by the police. She advocates for the rights of children in care, emphasizing the importance of sharing personal experiences to educate and offer perspective to others.
Morton is a mother to three children and has been in a long-term relationship with filmmaker Harry Holm. She is currently being recognized for her role in Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey."