'True Blood' Star Nelsan Ellis Dead at 39
"He was a great talent, and his words and presence will be forever missed."
Nelsan Ellis, the actor who starred in HBO's True Blood as Lafayette Reynolds, has died, his manager Emily Gerson Saines, told The Hollywood Reporter.
He was 39.
"Nelsan has passed away after complications with heart failure," Saines said. "He was a great talent, and his words and presence will be forever missed."
On True Blood, Lafayette was a short order cook at Merlotte's. In the books, he was killed off, but because Ellis made him such an enjoyable character, he survived in the series.
"We were extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Nelsan Ellis," HBO said in a statement. "Nelsan was a long-time member of the HBO family whose groundbreaking portrayal of Lafayette will be remembered fondly within the overall legacy of True Blood. Nelsan will be dearly missed by his fans and all of us at HBO."
True Blood creator, Alan Ball said: "Nelsan was a singular talent whose creativity never ceased to amaze me. Working with him was a privilege."
Other cast members took to social media to express their heartbreak.
"I don't know if I've ever seen the level of humility and kindness that came with the Magnificent Talent that Nelsan Ellis had. Miss u friend," said Sam Trammell.
"Crushed today by the loss of my friend and castmate Nelsan Ellis. He was a wonderful person, a pioneer, and a one of a kind artist. RIP," said Joe Manganiello.
"One of the sweetest most talented men I've ever met. A terrible loss for all of us. Rest In Peace Nelsan. You will be missed. I don't know how else to put words to this terribly sad news," said Kristin Bauer.
"It was an utter privilege to work with the phenomenally talented and deeply kind soul .@OfficialNelsan I'm devastated by his untimely death," said Anna Paquin.
Ellis appeared in numerous film and TV shows, inclduing The Soloist, The Butler, Get On Up and Elementary.
Ellis was born in Harvey, Ill. He attended Thorn Ridge High School in Dolton, Illinois. He later attended Oxford University and Columbia College in Chicago, before graduating from the famed Juilliard School.
Ellis is survived by his grandmother (Alex Brown), his father (Tommie Lee Thompson) and his son (Breon Ellis). He is also survived by his siblings - Lakeeia Thomson (sister), Tommie Lee Thompson (brother), Babon Ellis (brother), Maurice Turne (brother), Tianna Thompson (sister), Shaentika Beard (sister), Yvonne Ellis (sister) and Tartheaia Thompson (aunt).
His mother, Jackie Ellis, preceded him in death.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Jenesse Center or The Restoration Ministries Church of God and Christ.
Was Nelsen Gay? (Hollywood Reporter)
Lafayette oozes flamboyance from his delicately curled hair to his luscious lashes and glitter eyeshadow, and he has the hots for Bon Temps man-candy just like the rest of us!
True Blood doesn’t shy away from creating strong LGBT characters like Lala, and one of the reasons the show is so successful is because it creates such a positive representation of the gay community.
But is Nelsan Ellis gay like his character? Hookah, you wish.
Nelsan plays it straight on his off days, but he prefers not to talk about his sexual preferences: “I don’t answer that question, ‘Are you gay or not,’ when it comes down to industry people,” Nelsan says.
“But if it’s a regular person asking me, that just says that maybe I’m doing a good job. But when a casting director or an agent asks me that question it takes on a deeper thing that says, ‘I can’t believe you’re doing this unless you are that.’”
Nelsan isn’t gay (he's got a wife), but that shouldn't stop anybody from being an outspoken supporter of gay marriage. He says, “I support it. I think anybody should — I mean — I have my religious views but I don’t choose to oppress them on anybody. I think in this country, anybody can do whatever they want to do as long as it’s not hurting anybody else or violating the laws of society.”
“If you want to get married to a man then get married to a man,” Nelsan continues. “If two women want to get married they should get married. It’s not hurting me. The beautiful thing about this country is that I can be a Christian and feel free to do so. Or somebody cannot be a Christian and do whatever that entails. Or somebody can be a Christian and still be gay and I support it. Let gay people get married.”
Amen to that, Lala!
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