Sophia Maddox on Confronting Family Trauma and the Shocking Discovery That Charles Manson Is Her Grandfather

When Sophia Maddox first began making films, she imagined she was creating a path into the entertainment industry on her own terms. She had grown up training in classical ballet, auditioning for acting roles, and trying to find a place in an industry where she often felt difficult to categorize. Then, in 2022, a DNA discovery changed the story she thought she was telling. Her father learned the identity of his biological father: Charles Manson.

The revelation transformed a personal family mystery into a documentary project, My Grandfather Charles Manson, in which Maddox explores inheritance, identity, and the complicated work of confronting a painful family history. But the film is not only about one of the most notorious names in American criminal history. At its center is a young filmmaker examining what people inherit from their families, what they choose to carry forward, and what they decide to leave behind.

Before that discovery, Maddox’s connection to storytelling had already been developing for years. Born in New York City and raised in California’s South Bay, she spent much of her childhood moving between her parents’ homes after their divorce. Ballet became an early discipline in her life, with Russian-trained classical instruction and weekly trips to Los Angeles for training. Although she respected her education, she felt drawn toward a different kind of creative life. “I always wanted to be a full-time artist,” she said.

Her first step into entertainment came unexpectedly when she was cast as an extra on Bunheads, the ABC Family series created by Amy Sherman-Palladino. Maddox was 12 years old and nervous during her first audition, speaking quickly through the scene. What she did not know was that the fast-paced delivery aligned with Sherman-Palladino’s signature style. The audition helped launch her first IMDb credit and opened the door to commercial acting and additional opportunities.

As she grew older, however, acting alone did not provide the creative control she wanted. Maddox attended Santa Monica College and transferred to Loyola Marymount University while exploring communications, following advice from her parents to pursue a more traditional career path. But she found herself pulled back toward filmmaking. Eventually, she left college and committed to creating her own work.

That decision became a turning point. Maddox began writing screenplays, directing short films, and building projects from the ground up. Her short film Hart of the Wild Bunch led to the creation of her production company, Joan of Arc Pictures, and reinforced a realization that shaped her career: she did not want to wait for opportunities to arrive. She wanted to make them.

The challenge was that building a creative career required persistence long before there was public recognition. Maddox describes much of the artistic process as quiet and unseen, made up of writing, studying, pitching, and continuing despite uncertainty. “The greatest creative experience I’ve had has been watching my life shift from suppressing my creativity to fully expressing it,” she said.

Her path was also shaped by rejection. As a half-Filipino actor, Maddox found herself navigating an industry where she often felt she did not fit neatly into available roles. She described being perceived as not Asian enough for some opportunities and not white enough for others. When COVID disrupted the progress she had made in acting, the setback redirected her toward writing and directing, opening a different creative route.

The discovery about her family added another layer of complexity. Maddox initially wanted to keep that part of her history private, but she ultimately decided that telling the story honestly was part of her responsibility as an artist. The resulting documentary places her own experiences alongside the larger questions surrounding family, trauma, and accountability. Rather than approaching the story only through the lens of true crime, she hopes viewers recognize something familiar in it: the difficulty of understanding where we come from while deciding who we want to become.

Maddox’s relationship with her newly discovered extended family has also unfolded in unexpected ways. She has connected with her uncle Mike, who learned through DNA testing that he and Maddox’s father share a biological father. She describes him as supportive and steady, while acknowledging that biological connections do not automatically create emotional ones.

The film’s release marks a new stage for Maddox, but it also reflects the same question that has followed her since she began creating: how can a person transform something difficult into something meaningful? Her answer has been to keep making work, even when the circumstances are uncertain. “You almost have to be childlike and naive to believe you can pull it off,” she said of pursuing ambitious creative goals. For Maddox, that willingness to try remains part of the process.

My Grandfather Charles Manson is ultimately a story about a family secret becoming a public conversation, but it is also about a filmmaker discovering that the most personal material can become the foundation for her most important work. In the interview that follows, Maddox discusses creativity, identity, generational patterns, and what it means to tell the truth when the truth is complicated.

Yitzi: Sophia, it’s so nice to meet you. Before we dive in and talk about your amazing work, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share with us the story of your childhood, how you grew up, and particularly the seeds of all the amazing creativity that has come since then?

Sophia: Nice to meet you as well. Thank you. I was born in New York City, but I was raised in El Segundo, California. My parents divorced when I was five and had joint custody, so I saw each parent every week. I switched between El Segundo and where my dad lived in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa, and Redondo — I’ve lived in all the beach cities. I grew up dancing classical ballet and was Russian trained. My mom would drive me to ballet school in LA every week for training. I didn’t love going to public school. It was a great school, and I was lucky to live in such a nice community, but I always wanted to be a full-time artist.

I caught the entertainment industry bug when I was cast as an extra on a TV show called Bunheads, which aired on ABC Family at the time. It was created by the iconic Amy Sherman-Palladino, and Sutton Foster, a big Broadway star, was starring in it. I had my first audition at my ballet studio when I was 12 years old. I was so nervous that I spoke quickly throughout the scene, but I didn’t know that fast talking was actually Amy Sherman-Palladino’s signature tone for all her shows. The fast pace and nervousness actually helped me get on set, giving me my first IMDb credit.

From there, I started working as a commercial actress and got my foot in the door with TV and film auditions. I began taking acting classes and quit ballet when I was 16. From 2016 to 2020, I was auditioning while trying to figure things out. My mom and dad tried to discourage me from being in the entertainment industry; they told me to get a degree in business or communications and take a corporate job.

I actually tried that route. I went to Santa Monica College, transferred to Loyola Marymount, and tried taking communications classes, but I was so bored. I had to quit because I knew I had to be an artist, despite what my parents were encouraging me to do.

I started learning how to write screenplays so I could put myself in acting roles. After directing and writing my first short film, I realized how much I loved making films from the ground up rather than just being hired on them. I like both, but it felt empowering to have control over my career and create my own opportunities instead of waiting for other people to give them to me. I always knew I wanted to make family drama movies.

In 2021, I started writing a screenplay about my dad’s life, from homelessness to Hollywood. In 2022, right in the middle of writing it, my father told me he found out who his biological father was. All of the strange things happening in my dad’s life — and in my script — suddenly had an explanation: his father was Charles Manson.

At first, I didn’t know what to do except keep it a secret and hide that part of my family’s life and my own. But on the artist’s path, sometimes you don’t have a choice. There is an instinct that you need to tell your story as truthfully and authentically as possible, and I couldn’t see a world where I lived in secret. So, I decided to make a documentary, and that’s why we’re here.

Yitzi: You probably have some incredible stories that have occurred since this discovery, as well as in your creative life in general. I’m sure this is difficult to single out, but can you share with our readers one or two stories that most stand out in your mind from your career?

Sophia: A lot of the artistic process is lonely and isolating. So many of the creative milestones are small, everyday things that no one else sees. People might assume I could just tell Hulu or Disney that I’m related to Charles Manson and they’d hand me a movie to direct, but that is not how it works. I spent years dreaming, writing, acting, watching movies, reading scripts, and pitching to producers. My best friend is a DP, and another close friend is an actress.

I didn’t live a full-time creative artist lifestyle during my childhood or late teens. But when I turned 20 and dropped out of college, I made a firm declaration that I was going to live an artist’s life. Looking back, I truly changed my own trajectory. I found a community within film, and I don’t have a single regret. The greatest creative experience I’ve had has been watching my life shift from suppressing my creativity to fully expressing it.

Yitzi: Amazing. There’s a saying that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a funny mistake you made when you were first starting, and the lesson you took away from it?

Sophia: I do have an answer for this. I wouldn’t necessarily call it a mistake, but I was remarkably naive. I didn’t know how the industry worked, so I decided I was going to make a short film without realizing how much money it required. I was telling everyone I was making a short film with no budget while trying to recruit actors, a DP, and crew — creatives who fully deserved to be paid. I figured that out later on, created a proper budget, and brought on a production team.

At the same time, when jumping into a documentary or writing a script, you almost have to be childlike and naive to believe you can pull it off, just to allow yourself to try. If you know too much about how tough the industry is, you might talk yourself out of it. Only later did I learn how difficult it is to get a documentary picked up by Hulu. I heard they only greenlight around six or seven documentaries a year, and they receive countless pitches. Plus, there are already so many Manson documentaries.

Because I was naive enough to try, my earnestness helped me pull it off. Being naive isn’t necessarily a flaw, but it was a great lesson for me. Now that I know more, I remind myself to return to that childlike state of dreaming and creating. You have to stay in that lane because industry noise and statistics can dim your persistence.

Yitzi: There’s a related idea that “no” is not rejection, but redirection. Do you have a story where receiving a “no” for an opportunity led to an even better one?

Sophia: Absolutely. I got my first agent when I was 14 years old, and commercial work came quickly and easily. Being half-Filipino, I have an ethnically ambiguous look that worked well for commercials, but not as easily for TV and film. There weren’t many roles written for half-Filipino actors. For many Asian roles coming into my inbox, I was perceived as not Asian enough, and for white roles, I was perceived as not white enough.

It was difficult to get into audition rooms, both because of my background and because I was green and didn’t grow up in the industry from early childhood. Eventually, I managed to get into audition rooms, land callbacks, and reach producer sessions, but they always ended in a “no.” I was auditioning far less than the people around me.

Then COVID hit, and whatever progress I had built felt like it was wiped away. That redirected me toward my other passion: writing. I love writing, and English, psychology, and history were my strongest subjects in school. All that rejection and lack of outside opportunities pushed me to find new creative outlets. That led me to writing and directing, opening up a whole new world of artistry.

Yitzi: Let’s jump to your current project. As you mentioned, there are many Charles Manson movies and documentaries — in fact, one related film won several Oscars. Why should people watch yours, and what makes it unique?

Sophia: That is tough to answer because so much of the film centers around my perspective, and it feels strange to explain why something about myself is special. I didn’t initially plan to be in it as much as I ended up being. I wanted to make a family documentary, without realizing how central my story would be. I assumed my dad and Manson were much larger figures, so why would anyone care about me? My initial strategy was not to feature myself so prominently because I felt my dad and my grandfather were the figures people found fascinating.

However, many people can relate to family trauma, whether it’s struggling to get along with a parent, sibling, aunt, uncle, or cousin. Families aren’t perfect, and navigating those dynamics is difficult. I hope viewers feel seen and less lonely watching my journey toward healing generational trauma.

I hope people are inspired to extend grace to themselves and find love in their hearts, even when it isn’t given to them — which is one of the hardest things to do. Manson is an extreme example of family complexity, but if I can work through it, anyone can. I’ve already had people approach me and open up about discovering dark parts of their own family histories. They shared that seeing my journey made them feel like they were going to be okay, too, which has been deeply touching.

Yitzi: With the discovery that you’re related to Manson, you probably also realized you have an extended family you were previously unaware of — cousins, aunts, and uncles. Have you met any of this new family, and what has that experience been like?

Sophia: I have only met my uncle Mike. He joined Ancestry in 2022, which led to a match with my dad as half-brothers. They took a separate DNA test that confirmed they shared a biological father, so they were in communication for a while. Eventually, my dad took a DNA test confirming his relation to Charles Manson. Mike and I have stayed in constant communication, and he has been supportive in so many ways. He’s a gentle, steady, and calm soul. I haven’t met anyone else from that side of the family yet, but Mike is wonderful.

Yitzi: Do you think or hope that with this release and greater awareness you might connect with more extended family, or is that prospect intimidating?

Sophia: It must have been intimidating for Mike as well, but he accepted me with so much grace and love. Depending on who they are, it really varies. Mike and I are kindred spirits and get along well, but being related to someone doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get along with them, as seen in my documentary. It really comes down to a case-by-case basis, so we’ll see if other family members reach out.

Yitzi: We all know the dark side of Charles Manson, but at the same time, he possessed an incredible degree of charisma — almost casting a proverbial spell over people. Do you feel you inherited any of that charisma or presence?

Sophia: Not really. It feels diluted in me, perhaps for a good reason. Great charm and charisma carry heavy responsibility and potential downfall if you lack the tools to harness them for good.

I see similarities between Manson and my dad — as noted in the documentary, there can be a sparkle in their eye, though as Dr. Schug pointed out, that can also be a liability. I don’t have that extreme level of charisma, but I also didn’t inherit the hypomania or bipolar traits that Manson had, which I am grateful for.

It’s natural to wish for more charm or social ease, but it’s important to focus on the strengths you do have. I try to view my strengths with gratitude. That’s a great question, thank you for asking it.

Yitzi: My pleasure. This is our signature question. Sophia, you’ve been blessed with a lot of success and must have learned a lot from your experiences. Looking back to when you first started, can you share five things you’ve learned over the years — sometimes the hard way — that someone starting out today can benefit from?

Sophia: That is a great and important question. Here are five key pieces of advice I would share for anyone starting out:

1. Feed your mind with inspiring content: Read books like The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin, or Jenna Fischer’s The Actor’s Life. Seek out inspiring voices rather than naysayers — you’ll find naysayers everywhere, so there is no need to seek them out. Surround yourself with good people and consume positive ideas.
2. Stay open-minded about your path: You might have a specific dream for your career — for me, it was purely acting, and I never thought I was capable of writing or directing. When you are pushed into a new direction, lean into it and see where it takes you rather than fighting it.
3. Expect close-minded reactions: Some people will decide your art isn’t worth making or watching before they’ve even seen it, and they will be vocal about it. Whether it comes from family, a Letterboxd review, or an Instagram comment, criticism just means you are out there putting work into the world. Congratulations — you’re an artist. Keep going.
4. Don’t become a hater yourself: Being an artist is already challenging — funding is tough, making art is hard, and distribution is competitive. Why add negativity to your own community? Even if you don’t personally enjoy a piece of work, keep harsh public judgments to yourself. Analyze it constructively with friends, but avoid being a vocal hater.
5. Embrace the natural ebbs and flows: Especially if you are working class, it is completely fine to work as a full-time artist one year and need a nannying or restaurant job the next. It’s a roller coaster, but most artists would be far unhappier doing anything else.

Yitzi: Those were amazing answers, beautiful. Can you share some of your self-care routines that help your body, mind, and heart thrive?

Sophia: My therapist taught me about somatic healing and how trauma and stress are held within the body. Somatic healing can be as simple as taking a ballet class, going for a walk, or literally touching grass outside. I also love going to the spa to alternate between a cold plunge and the Jacuzzi. Alternating hot and cold therapy releases physical stress and anxiety, clearing my head and helping regulate my nervous system.

Yitzi: Amazing answer. This is our final aspirational question. Sophia, because of your work and the platform you’built, it’s no exaggeration to say you are a person of influence. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would that be? You never know what your ideas might inspire.

Sophia: That is a huge responsibility. My values have always been strongly rooted in caring for the planet and environment, as well as ending wars and conflict. There are many heartbreaking things happening in the world, and while I don’t have all the answers, I hope people look toward compassionate, thoughtful leaders who can move us forward and make the Earth a much better place.

Yitzi: Unbelievable. Sophia, how can our readers watch the documentary, view your other work, and support you?

Sophia: You can stream my documentary on the Hulu and Disney+ platforms right now. It is officially out today! I hope people watch it, see a piece of themselves in it, and connect with the shared humanity.

Yitzi: Amazing. Sophia, it’s been a joy to meet you.

Sophia: Thank you so much, you as well.

Yitzi: A pleasure. I wish you continued success and good health, and I’d love to do this again next year.

Sophia: Of course, I would love that.

Yitzi: Thanks so much. Have a great day, good to meet you, and bye-bye.

Sophia: Bye!