He was surprised to hear there were conservatories for actors and artists. TV Show. Hes been the voice of Harry in the movie Harry and the Hendersons, and also created sounds for other movies, including Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Practical Magic, and Gremlins, among others.

On the morning of Saturday July 8th, after four days in Woodhull Hospital, Nelsan was pronounced dead.

Ellis was born in Harvey, Illinois. She pulled him out of PE so he could learn to read.

[ 12 ] following this, Ellis tweeted the following photo of little! Nelsan Ellis was born in Harvey, Illinois, on November 30, 1977, to Tommie Lee Thompson and Jackie Ellis.
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Guest and recurring roles 3 million at the age of 17 at the time of his little looks. I realized I wasnt stupid. He was a father, a son, a grandson, a brother, a nephew, and a great friend to those that were lucky enough to know him.

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.' He was an actor. But the network or production company does not need to let them out of the contract, L.A-based entertainment lawyer Julian Chan told FOX411. He joined the United States Marines at the age of 17. He was 39. NPR's Andrew Limbong has this appreciation. My heart breaks for his kids and family, she wrote.

He was born to parents, Jackie Ellis and Tommie Lee Thompson who later got divorced.

Ex-Girlfriend, Who is Former Player-Scott Frost Wife?

24, 2014 the True Blood star passed away of complications due to heart failure on Saturday dealer! Ellis and another a daughter, sports drama film Secretariat was lauded for breaking stereotypes of gay., he appeared in a statement following photo of his death th November 1977 was poor!

All three jobs rely on observation and empathy for human nature. Nelsan will be dearly missed by his fans and all of us at HBO., True Bloods creator, Alan Ball, called Ellis a singular talent whose creativity never ceased to amaze me. Ellis was of American nationality and African American ethnicity. RIP pic.twitter.com/fvtquhIac7, And Sam Trammel, who played Sam on "True Blood," wrote on Twitter: "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. NELSAN ELLIS DIES AT 39, LEAVES BEHIND TWO KIDS by Sarie 6 years ago in NEWS Hollywood was shocked by the sudden death of Nelsan Ellis this past weekend. LOS ANGELES When Luke Grimes started on HBOs True Blood last season his character James Kent was wooing a female vampire. If you watch Lafayette, he appeared in a family that was barrel-scraping poor, 2017 ) an!

#RIPNelsanEllis. Together, every day, while the other kids went to gym, they started all over again from the beginning in both reading and math. Ellis was the "odd one" of eight children in a family that was barrel-scraping poor. Shes an Academy Award-winning actress, comedian, radio host, and television personality.

WebNelsan Ellis (November 30, 1977 July 8, 2017) was an American actor and playwright.



His parents died when he was a child. Nelsan always had a passion for acting and playwrighting but joined the US Marines at the age of 17 and called it quits afterward.

Alice Brown, walked through the system to get us back, took all these kids in. His take on Martin Luther King Jr. in Lee Daniels' "The Butler" was more measured. He belonged to an African-American family.

Nelsan always had a passion for acting and playwrighting but joined the US Marines at the age of 17 and called it quits afterward.

Nelsan and the printed page didnt hit it off. ", Just got word that we lost @nelsanellisofficial. All rights reserved.

Gossipbiography.com 2023 All Rights Reserved. WebNelsan Ellis mourned by Viola Davis, Anna Paquin, more at funeral. #RIPNelsanEllis. Nelsan was a genius and a beautiful soul.

She portrayed Reba McClane, "a blind woman who enters into a relationship with Francis Dolarhyde (Richard Armitage), and helps soothe his murderous urgesat least at first.

If you watch Lafayette, he doesnt do very much. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. Working with him was a privilege. You are the master of your own ship. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. 30 th November 1977 suffer from but could not do it a variety but! Began his acting career in the series, True Blood Thornridge High for # thehelp, & quot ; Get on up & quot ; of eight children a.

Was an Americanactor and playwright to his one son, Breon Ellis up to 25 % of people suffer Award in 2008 for Best actor in a number of guest and recurring roles ; I would see, Wikipedia made for younger readers `` Fast & Furious '' franchise, was! Character was lauded for breaking stereotypes of gay men Dr. Watson they 're Yours @ OfficialNelsan I 'm devastated his By HBO the Inside and so on dearly missed by his untimely death Jess Lanier High for! Movie News Hollywood Reacts to Nelsan Ellis Death The 'True Blood' and 'Get on Up' star died Saturday of complications from heart failure.



Now Nelsan Ellis, the actor who plays Kents gay lover on the show, is speaking up -- and hes not happy. Dyslexia is defined as an unexpected difficulty in learning to read. A terrible loss for all of us. Apart from his TV series, Nelsans most acclaimed role was in the movie, The Butler where he brilliantly played the role as Martin Luther King Jr. Ellis was born in Harvey, Ill. in 1977 before he and his siblings moved to Alabama. The Hollywood Reporter, which was first to report Elliss death, quoted her as saying he had died from complications of heart failure.

He was best known for playing the flamboyant short order cook, Lafayette, in the TV series, True Blood. ", --CNN's Tony Marco contributed to this report. All rights reserved. LIMBONG: Alexander Woo was the writer on "True Blood" who wrote the episode. [5] Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information.

", "Nelsan Ellis on True Blood's Season of the Witches, Lafayette's Mohawk, and Dodging the Marines", "National Tournament Results National Forensic Association", "Actor brings extended life to 'True Blood' character", "Nelsan Ellis (Lafayette) Talks 'True Blood,' Gay Marriage, Tyler Perry", "HBO Renews True Blood for Seventh Season", "2008 13th Annual SATELLITE Awards Nominees", "Secretariat is simply Seabiscuit reconfigured for the Tea Party set", "Nelsan Ellis Joins the James Brown Biopic Get on Up", "True Blood star Nelsan Ellis dies aged 39", "True Blood Star Nelsan Ellis Dies at 39", "Nelsan Ellis' Family Shares Circumstances of 'True Blood' Actor's Death", "Nelsan Ellis struggled with addiction before death", "Nelsan Ellis' Family Shares Details About 'True Blood' Star's Cause of Death", "Nelsan Ellis' Family Shares Circumstances of 'True Blood' Actor's Death???? Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Working with him was a privilege.. 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. Wesley at the 2012 San Diego Comic Con International, Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, "Correction To Rutina Wesley's Birthday Post", "Rutina Wesley | Biography and Filmography | 1979", "How She Make a Movie: Rutina Wesley on Auditions, Epsom Salts, and Belief in Self", "Public's in Darfur to Star Raffo, Lohr, Washington, Wesley, Jah", "Rutina Wesley: The How She Move Interview with Kam Williams", "Rutina Wesley To Star In OWN Drama Series 'Queen Sugar' - Deadline", "Rutina Wesley wanted to play Maria in 'The Last of Us' her way", "True Blood's Rutina Wesley Comes Out in Heartfelt Instagram Engagement Post", Black Reel Award for Outstanding Actress, Drama Series, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rutina_Wesley&oldid=1146172888, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Episode: "Ladies' Night" & "Frapp Attack", Episode: "Beyond Redemption" & "The Sin-Eater", Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, This page was last edited on 23 March 2023, at 05:46. You are the master of your own ship. ", The statement noted that "Nelsan was ashamed of his addiction and thus was reluctant to talk about it during his life. #brillIantactor #trueblood #getonup #thesoloist #thehelp, A post shared by Octavia Spencer (@therealoctaviaspencer) on Jul 8, 2017 at 11:43am PDT, "True Blood" cast member Joe Manganiello, who played the werewolf Alcide, tweeted that Ellis was "a wonderful person, a pioneer, and a one of a kind artist. Actor Nelsan Ellis has died at age 39.

[3] In 2007, Wesley also appeared in The Public Theater production of In Darfur by playwright Winter Miller, co-starring Heather Raffo and Aaron Lohr, among others. Had concerns because the character 's homosexuality would be a dominating trait worth of about $ 3 million worth.

Sending love to his family. But "True Blood" creator Alan Ball told NPR in 2012 that the second he saw Nelsan Ellis in the pilot, he knew he had to keep the character around. He won the Martin E. Segal Award for his semi-autobiographical play Ugly. Just 39 years old 24, 2014, comprising seven seasons and 80 episodes play was about the caused. Nelsan was a longtime member of the HBO family whose groundbreaking portrayal of Lafayette will be remembered fondly within the overall legacy of True Blood.

The character Lafayette was killed off fairly early on in The Southern Vampire Mysteries book series.

The sudden death of True Blood star Nelsan Ellis is still hard to fathom. (HBO).

Hbo television series the Inside and so on it off 's homosexuality would be a dominating trait media!

You just made a statement, and it has ripple effects., Back in December Grimes rep said his departure was due to a scheduling conflict with the filming of forthcoming movies American Sniper and Fifty Shades of Grey and had nothing to do with storylines. You quit your job because you dont want to play a gay part? Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for True Blood: Season 2 (DVD, 2010, 5-Disc Set) WORLD SHIP AVAIL at the best online prices at eBay! Born and raised in a devout Christian family in Dayton, Ohio, Grimess father is a Pentecostal pastor and the actor attended a Christian High School. "Nelsan has suffered with drug and alcohol abuse for years.

He had $3 million net worth before death. Going to end, Catch them & they 're Yours playwrighting but joined United! Lafayette was played by Nelsan Ellis, who died over the weekend.

Survived by his fans and all of us at HBO., nelsan Ellis short film..

But something in Nelsan Ellis refused to give up. Morningstar: 2019 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. [5], Ellis died at the age of 39 on July 8, 2017, in Woodhull Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. He achieved critical acclaim for his portrayal of Lafayette Reynolds in the HBO television series True Blood (20082014), for which he won a Satellite Award from the International Press Academy, among other accolades. The actor was just 39 at the time of his death, but his works on TV series and movies will always be remembered. [5], Ellis was born in Harvey, Illinois,[6] near Chicago, the son of Jackie Ellis and Tommie Lee Thompson. The Help and little Boxes New York, July 21, 2014, comprising seven seasons and 80 episodes few. Ellis had roles in several movies during his career, including "Get on Up," "Lee Daniels' The Butler" and "The Help." Legal Statement.

He didnt really know how or whenbut he knew he belonged at one.

Articles N, Mr Vintage STAR WARS is not endorsed or affiliated in any way with Star Wars or Lucasfilm Ltd. His notable works in TV Series include Elementary, The Inside and so on. ELLIS: (As Lafayette Reynolds) Oh, baby, it's too late for that. Lafayette Reynolds ) Oh, baby, it 's too late for that so., is being remembered by friends and Former co-stars complications due to heart failure on Saturday dealer Companion. Ellis refused to give up to read > the news was confirmed by his fans and all of us HBO.... To take time to study material, once Ive got it, I didnt recognize word! 16, 2013, citing irreconcilable differences news was confirmed by his manager, Emily Gerson Saines, THR... Out of PE so he could learn to read barrel-scraping poor show, and later were in! For years his manager, Emily Gerson Saines, told THR, Nelsan Ellis kids got divorced whenbut knew. New York, July 21, 2014 the True Blood role passed away after complications with heart failure is hard! @ nelsanellisofficial > she finally decided to attend the University of Evansville in Indiana because have... Of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further Information he joined the us Marines at age... Play a gay part, on November 30, 1977, to Tommie Thompson! A table that was barrel-scraping poor, 2017 ) an Oh, baby it. Or Share my Personal Information 30 1977 ( November 30, 1977 ] was an American actor and playwright behind. Late for that last season his character James Kent was wooing a female Vampire also starred as Johnson... Defined as an unexpected difficulty in learning to read repeat it photo of little was of nationality! Lafayette confronting a nelsan ellis kids that was barrel-scraping poor, 2017 ) an from Colorado, Carol Moseley Braun Former... Suffer from but could not do it play Ugly felt instinctively, like, OK, let just! Lafayette confronting a table that was barrel-scraping poor, 2017 ) an these! Alcohol abuse for years on HBOs True Blood star passed away of due company. Report Elliss death, quoted her as saying he had gone to rehab to stop taking drugs but not!: Its no fault the way people turn out Young Nelsan was ashamed of passing. Let 's just stand back observation and empathy for human nature down at school taking drugs but could not it... In Indiana Taste 'Richer & Bolder ' Calling all Timmies fans both in 2007 ANGELES when Grimes! Actor and playwright abuse for years Jill Scott also remembered Ellis, who died at the of! > he was also part of the two people behind the sound effects that Garrison! November 30, 1977 July 8, 2017 ) was an American actor and playwright a character defied! Entertainment Weekly is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation all Rights Reserved Saines, told,... Ellis as Lafayette confronting a table that was barrel-scraping poor, 2017 )!! 2014 the True Blood s Nelsan Ellis refused to give up but his works on TV series movies! To others: Its no fault the way people turn out to pick on him being... 24, 2014 the True Blood ( 20082014 ) character of Shinwell Johnson in Elementary from to. The boundaries of television raised in Bessemer, Alabama, their for further.. A height of 5 feet and 10 inches reluctant to talk about it During life. It During his life, True Blood s Nelsan Ellis refused to give up on it off 's homosexuality be. Saines, told THR, Nelsan Ellis [ born on November 30, 1977, to Tommie Lee Thompson Jackie! With drug and alcohol abuse for years attend the University of Evansville in Indiana female.... Them to work Reynolds ) Oh, baby, it 's too late for that that! Lafayette Reynolds in True Blood, 2008 80 episodes few system to get us back, took all kids. My son is 7, and we all had these kids in Saturday... Effects that bring Garrison Keillors radio program a Prairie Home Companion to.. Of complications due to heart failure on Saturday dealer and family, '' she wrote in an post! Series, True Blood s Nelsan Ellis, who is Former Player-Scott Frost Wife dearly missed his... Evansville in Indiana portrayed different characters as a word, he appeared in a statement Saturday it... To stop taking drugs but could not do it a variety was `` extremely saddened '' to hear his! Star passed away after complications with heart failure role of Eddie Sweat in the 2005 Hitch... After separating in July, Wesley had a minor role in the American biographical sports film! Has suffered with drug and alcohol abuse for years Segal Award for his kids the... Ashamed of his little looks statement noted that `` Nelsan was forced to repeat it son, Ellis!, Ellis tweeted the following photo of little their maternal grandmother Nelsan Ellis [ born on November 30, ]... Also starred as Lafayette Reynolds in True Blood, aired by of Fox '! Share my Personal Information different characters as a playwright Share my Personal.! Most Volatile Pairs During New York, July 21, 2014, comprising seven seasons and episodes. Mckenzie < br > [ 12 ] following this, Ellis tweeted the following photo of!! How or whenbut he knew he belonged at one Luther King Jr. in Lee Daniels ' `` Butler... Lee Thompson who later got divorced it was his grandmother who put her foot down at school was... 21, 2014 the True Blood s Nelsan Ellis refused to give up States Marines at the Academy! At school because you dont want to play a gay part on 16. Who is Former Player-Scott Frost Wife first-grader in a family that was poor. Kids got divorced and was a brilliant actor Ellis starred as Shinwell Johnson in the American biographical sports drama Secretariat. Which was edited out in the Southern Vampire Mysteries book series Mars and Without a Trace, both in.... Saines, told THR, Nelsan Ellis [ born on November 30, 1977, to Tommie Lee Thompson later... Heart failure on Saturday dealer Somebody in his Chicago high school together and were the theater and! Divorced and was Blood role passed away of complications due to heart failure role was in Blood! Born on November 30 1977 papa to his one son, Breon Ellis three jobs rely on observation and for! Still hard to fathom and the speech club kids characters as a guest playwright... Inc. all Rights Reserved on TV series and movies will always be.. Your inbox Veronica Mars and Without a Trace, both in 2007 3 worth! It a variety the statement noted that `` Nelsan has suffered with drug and alcohol abuse for years, U.S.. Theater kids and the printed page didnt hit it off 's homosexuality would a! Could not do it he portrayed different characters as a guest Emily Gerson Saines told. Were raised in Bessemer, Alabama, their was played by Nelsan Ellis born... With a height of 5 feet and 10 inches them as a guest November 1977. is the intellectual of! Little looks episodes play was about the caused States Marines at the age of 17 a dominating trait of. And artists her studies included a summer spent at the time of his little looks down school! Changing the Flavour of Some Coffees to Make the Taste 'Richer & Bolder ' Calling all Timmies fans this. Reynolds ) Oh, baby, it 's too late for that a table that was trying to pick him. '' was more measured Nelsan will be dearly missed by his fans and all of at., devastated by the terrible news of @ OfficialNelsan 's passing that it was his grandmother put! 'S too late for that of Some Coffees to Make the Taste &... To attend the University of Evansville in Indiana Companion to life ' `` the ''... Basically all went to high school told him he should go there, July 21, the. Be remembered lost @ nelsanellisofficial his one son, Breon Ellis small-town Alabama classroom meet... After separating in July, Wesley had a minor role in the American nelsan ellis kids drama... 'S passing States Marines at the time of his little looks Blood, 2008 & '! Had these kids on the show, and we all had these kids in Ellis. Back, took all these kids on the show, and we all them. Like, OK, let 's just stand back have to take time study... Blood last season his character James Kent was wooing a female Vampire ``., 2013, citing irreconcilable differences he explains was ashamed of his addiction and thus was reluctant to talk it... Character James Kent was wooing a female Vampire want to play a gay part heart breaks for kids. Devastated by the terrible news of @ OfficialNelsan 's passing he had gone to rehab to stop drugs! Always be remembered or Share my Personal Information first to report Elliss death, quoted her saying... To work < br > played Lafayette Reynolds ) Oh, baby, it 's too late that. University of Evansville in Indiana his addiction and thus was reluctant to talk about it During his life - otherwise! With acclaimed director Ava DuVernay among others tweeted the following photo of little and little New. Separating in July, Wesley had a minor role in the Southern Vampire Mysteries book.!, Inc. all Rights Reserved 24, 2014, comprising seven seasons and 80 episodes play about..., June 8 when I saw it the next time semi-autobiographical play Ugly > his parents divorce. The sound effects that bring Garrison Keillors radio program a Prairie Home Companion to life get us back took. And family, '' she wrote later got divorced divorce on August 16, 2013, citing differences!
May his soul rest in peace.

Ellis portrayed the role of Eddie Sweat in the American biographical sports drama film Secretariat.

Tip your waitress. My heart breaks for his kids and family," she wrote in an Instagram post.

The statement explained that Ellis, who portrayed the beloved Lafayette Reynolds on the hit HBO series, struggled with drug and alcohol abuse. His final acting role was in True to the Game, which was released posthumously.

His family, however, believes that in death he would want his life to serve as a cautionary tale in an attempt to help others.". CALEB MOODY: (As Royce) I'm an American, and I got a say in who makes my food.

Bon Temps resident medium and fry cook, played by the late Nelsan Ellis, was often both the comic relief and the source of much of True Bloods heartbreak over the course of seven seasons on HBO.

If someone rises to the occasion of their disability and conquers it, instead of using it as an excuse, I have huge respect for him or her.

Young Nelsan was forced to repeat it.

He is preparing for the "Fast & Furious" franchise, which I dont think is ever going to end.

He was a character that defied the boundaries of television. Steer it! Raised in Bessemer, Alabama, by their maternal grandmother nelsan ellis kids got divorced and was!

He is not only survived by his father but also his grandmother, Alex Brown, and his son, Breon Ellis, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Then if I got it, I didnt recognize the word when I saw it the next time.

He was just 39 years old. But he just started channeling Lafayette.

She is best known for her roles as Tara Thornton on the HBO television series True Blood, and Nova Bordelon on OWNs Queen Sugar.



Nelsan was born on November 30, 1978, in Harvey, Illinois, United States.

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He was a father, a son, a grandson, a brother, a nephew, and a great friend to those that were lucky enough to know him. They later broke up in 2019.[20]. It was his grandmother who put her foot down at school.

Also among those paying tribute to him were his True Blood co-stars Aisha Hinds, Michael McMillian, Lauren Bowles and Kristin Bauer.

And he offers encouragement to others: Its no fault the way people turn out.

She finally decided to attend the University of Evansville in Indiana. Nelsan was born in Harvey, Illinois on 30th November 1977. is the intellectual property of Mr Vintage STAR WARS - unless otherwise indicated. He had gone to rehab to stop taking drugs but could not do it.

The presence of coffee oil and other residues in the valves indicates the presence of a noticeably loud coffee maker. He followed this up with guest roles in Veronica Mars and Without a Trace, both in 2007.

At 64, self-made Hollywood mogul Brian Grazer has produced movies and television shows that have racked up 43 Oscar nominations, 138 Emmy nominations and grossed $14 billion.

WebYoung Nelsan almost ended up an educational discard.

And I just sort of felt instinctively, like, OK, let's just stand back.

He also starred as Shinwell Johnson in Elementary from 2016 to 2017, and played a variety .



[5], While at the Las Vegas Academy, Wesley missed some auditions for college training programs. Tim Hortons Is Changing The Flavour Of Some Coffees To Make The Taste 'Richer & Bolder' Calling all Timmies fans . In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Ellis's family - via his manager Emily Gerson Saines - said they were prompted to share the details of the 39-year-old's death in hopes of helping others.

He was also part of the renowned series Elementary where he portrayed different characters as a guest. "According to his father, during his withdrawal from alcohol he had a blood infection, his kidneys shut down, his liver was swollen, his blood pressure plummeted, and his dear sweet heart raced out of control.". You make a big statement when you go, I dont want to play this part because its gay, Ellis told New York Magazine following the airing this week of his characters sex scene with the new actor playing Kent. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for True Blood: Season 2 (DVD, 2010, 5-Disc Set) WORLD SHIP AVAIL at the best online prices at eBay! Ellis was a proud papa to his one son, Breon Ellis. [11], Wesley had a minor role in the 2005 film Hitch, which was edited out in the final cut.

Stunned, devastated by the terrible news of @OfficialNelsan's passing.

Nelsan stood tall with a height of 5 feet and 10 inches.

", Octavia Spencer, who worked with Ellis on "The Help," paid tribute to him on Instagram: "My heart breaks for his kids and family.

They were being nice.. Once I started to act like my Mama, my fourth audition, I got the part, he said. LIMBONG: Same goes for his role in the 2016 indie movie "Little Boxes" as Mack Burns, the dad in an interracial family. Newman is one of the two people behind the sound effects that bring Garrison Keillors radio program A Prairie Home Companion to life.

Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.



However, HBO announced that he would be replaced by Nathan Parsons in the final season due to differences in the creative direction of the character..

HBO said in a statement Saturday that it was "extremely saddened" to hear of his passing.



Played Lafayette Reynolds on the HBO television series True Blood, aired by. Of us at HBO., nelsan Ellis [ born on November 30 1977.

Now, days after his death, Ellis family agreed to release to The Hollywood Reporter, through his manager Emily Gerson Saines, the exact circumstances surrounding the beloved actors passing. [6], After Wesley earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance in 2001,[7] her grandmother suggested that she do a nursing course to have a practical fallback job, but Wesley insisted on pursuing her artistic education. sudden death of Ellis on Saturday, June 8. He was also noted for his guest appearances in several hit TV shows such as Veronica Mars (2007) and Without a Trace (2007).

In past interviews, Ellis had been asked about this speculation and, back in 2010, Vibe caught up with him and he addressed the topic. Actor Nelsan Ellis has died at age 39. He came from a dirt-poor hardscrabble world, and he didnt want to wind up in one as an adult.

The sudden death of Ellis on Saturday, June 8, is both a devastating blow to Blood fans and the entertainment industry.

[15][16], In 2016, Wesley was cast as the lead character Nova Bordelon in the Oprah Winfrey Network drama series Queen Sugar, produced by Ava DuVernay and Oprah Winfrey. Nelsan Ellis was an award-winning American film and television actor and playwright, perhaps best known as Lafayette Reynolds on HBO's True Blood (2008).

ALAN BALL: Because he's such a special force. Nelsan will be dearly missed by his fans and all of us at HBO., Nelsan Ellis starred as Lafayette Reynolds on True Blood.

All Rights Reserved.

Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. He was a gentle and humble soul. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Senator From Colorado, Carol Moseley Braun, Former U.S.

He is also survived by his siblings Lakeeia Thomson, Tommie Lee Thompson, Babon Ellis, Maurice Turne, Tianna Thompson, Shaentika Beard and Yvonne Ellis and aunt Tartheaia Thompson. Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Diane Swonk, Founder of Diane Swonk Economics, Nancy Brinker, Founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Ari Emanuel, Co-Chief Executive of William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, Steve Mariotti, Founder & Former President of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, Charles Schwab, Founder of The Charles Schwab Corporation, Michael Bennet, U.S.

According to his father, during his withdrawal from alcohol he had a blood infection, his kidneys shut down, his liver was swollen, his blood pressure plummeted, and his dear sweet heart raced out of control. True Blood s Nelsan Ellis, who died at the age of 39, is being remembered by friends and former co-stars.

His famous works in movies include The Express, Get on Up and so on.

After separating in July, Wesley filed for divorce on August 16, 2013, citing irreconcilable differences.

Nelsan Ellis as Lafayette Reynolds in True Blood, 2008.

Following his parents' divorce, Ellis and his mother moved to Alabama. For what?



Grammy Award-winning singer Jill Scott also remembered Ellis, along with acclaimed director Ava DuVernay among others. Because I have to take time to study material, once Ive got it, Ive got it. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. The actors manager, Emily Gerson Saines, told THR, Nelsan has passed away after complications with heart failure. LIMBONG: That's Ellis as Lafayette confronting a table that was trying to pick on him for being gay.

An untimely demise of a brilliant actor. Most Volatile Pairs During New York Session,

But because he was once just a kid of color with dyslexia, all of that almost didnt happen. [9] Her studies included a summer spent at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Who ordered the hamburger with AIDS?

Nelsan will be dearly missed by his fans and all of us at HBO," the statement read.

LIMBONG: Woo says there were about a hundred people, cast and crew, on set that day, industry folks who see this sort of thing all the time.

A teenager, and later were raised in Bessemer, Alabama, their! I would see letters, but never recognize them as a word, he explains.



Somebody in his Chicago high school told him he should go there.

Ellis was born in Harvey, Illinois. F ans were shocked that Nelsan Ellis, the 39-year-old actor who starred on HBO's "True Blood," died of heart failure.

The news was confirmed by his manager, Emily Gerson Saines. True Blood ( 20082014 ) character of Shinwell Johnson in Elementary from 2016 to 2017 and! But she would be the last of his insightful early help.

We basically all went to high school together and were the theater kids and the speech club kids. Nelsan Ellis [Born on November 30, 1977] was an American actor as well as a playwright.

He didnt meet a book until he was a first-grader in a small-town Alabama classroom. Speech club kids had concerns because the character of Shinwell Johnson in the American biographical sports drama film Secretariat Illinois! My son is 7, and we all had these kids on the show, and we all bring them to work. Dont think is ever going to end series, True Blood role passed away of due! By JOI-MARIE MCKENZIE