Actor Nelsan Ellis' shockingly passed away this weekend, and the amazing actor's friends and co-stars have been paying tribute. See them inside.
"True Blood" and "Elementary" star Nelsan Ellis' death shocked the Hollywood world this weekend. The 39-year-old reportedly died from complications after heart failure.
HBO issued a statement about the incredible loss saying:
“We were extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Nelsan Ellis. 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.”
Nelsan was also i the midst of making his mark in the movie world, starring in the new just-added-to-Netflix dramedy Little Boxes, The Help, the James Brown movie Get On Up alongside Chadwick Boseman, and the upcoming flick True To The Game.
The studio behind the latter movie issued the following statement:
Imani Motion Pictures would like to formally extend their deepest condolences to the family and friends of the late Nelsan Ellis. Nelsan Ellis was not only a classically trained actor that impacted the world with this talent. From commanding the attention as a fan favorite on HBO's True Blood to becoming family to my family as a primary star of our upcoming film, True To The Game, Nelsan was a consummate professional who the True To The Game Family was proud to not only call him colleague but friend. He will be sorely missed. Much Love and Light.
As Lafayette Reynolds on "True Blood," he re-defined the role of a gay black man living in the deep south.
His former co-stars and friends have poured their hearts out about ihs death:
He was like my son. Heartbroken. You took a piece of my heart with you. pic.twitter.com/jrh4vLDtDd
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) July 9, 2017
It was an utter privilege to work with the phenomenally talented and deeply kind soul .@OfficialNelsan I'm devastated by his untimely death. pic.twitter.com/If17csduHz
— Anna Paquin (@AnnaPaquin) July 8, 2017
With the death of Nelsan Ellis, I am reminded of the famous line: "Attention must be finally paid to such a man." Death of a Salesman. RIP
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) July 9, 2017
Nelsan Ellis was a gifted artist. We join his fans in remembering his accomplishments & extend our sympathies to his family and friends.
— Elementary (@Elementary_CBS) July 9, 2017
Complete thankfulness for Nelsan Ellis!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/g4p7Ct2o6n
— ⭐Jill Scott⭐ (@missjillscott) July 9, 2017
(1/2) The instant I met @OfficialNelsan, I was awestruck. A true artistic genius. This man was one of the greats. We have lost a hero... pic.twitter.com/2TajJMQELg
— Bryce Dallas Howard (@BryceDHoward) July 9, 2017
The few times I got to sit w/ Nelsan Ellis, he was incredibly sincere, thoughtful and generous. His tremendous talent spoke for itself. #RIPpic.twitter.com/QHTbTGRATO
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 9, 2017
My heart is broken by the passing of Nelsan Ellis. A truly beautiful person. My love to his family and friends. #RIPNelsanEllis#TrueBloodpic.twitter.com/ZUor1yx4Yg
— Deborah Ann Woll (@DeborahAnnWoll) July 8, 2017
Rise in Peace, King. And thank you for sharing your gifts with us. You made a difference. #nelsanellispic.twitter.com/blav8fr3Qc
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) July 8, 2017
We didnt even scratch the surface of seeing what this artist was capable of. My love to the family of this spectacular man. #NelsanEllispic.twitter.com/3DoPQZYS7p
— Jessica Chastain (@jes_chastain) July 8, 2017
If you were a big "True Blood" fan like us, you lived for Rutina & Nelsan's on screen, love-hate BFF relationship. Re-live it below:
And possibly the most iconic scene of the entire series:
RIP to Nelsan Ellis and thank you for delivering one of the most iconic scenes ever #RIPNelsanEllispic.twitter.com/henDMDnD8i
— Common White Girl (@GirlPosts) July 9, 2017
R.I.P.
Photos: Getty/HBO
