NEW YORK Actor Nelsan Ellis, best known for his memorable portrayal of Lafayette Reynolds on HBO's "True Blood," has died at the age of 39. . RIP pic.twitter.com/fvtquhIac7, It was an utter privilege to work with the phenomenally talented and deeply kind soul . #RIPNelsanEllis. Content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. Breon is one of two kids that Nelsan shared with his wife. July 10, 2017. He was a Christian. Nelsan Ellis, the actor who starred on HBO's True Blood as the fan favorite Lafayette Reynolds, struggled with drug and alcohol abuse for years. Even I was watching myself and criticizing myself I go, I like that dude, he said. Birthday: November 30, 1977 (Sagittarius), siblings: Alice Nellis, Babon Ellis, Lakeeia Thomson, Maurice Turne, Shaentika Beard, Tianna Thompson, Tommie Lee Thompson, Yvonne Ellis, education: Jess Lanier High School, McAdory High School, Thornridge High School, Juilliard School, Columbia College Chicago, https://www.today.com/popculture/true-blood-co-stars-remember-actor-nelsan-ellis-t113601, https://www.flickr.com/photos/spazzbot/5002364519/in/photolist-8mG64D-8mKcVC-8mG5PR-8C6w81-8C3qAB-8C3qG8-6W4JV8-6W8Mcq-8C6vMu, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoRuEULiQgY, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ayd6ZEZeyKc, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yshqgfO8_HY, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPBYY2m7g1M, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4MWqjkawRU. Now Nelsan Ellis, the actor who plays Kent's gay lover on the show, is speaking up -- and he's not happy. "I would see letters, but never recognize them as a word," he explains. The actor's family released a statement about his struggle with drugs and alcohol in an effort to help others. Following his parents' divorce, Ellis and his mother moved to Alabama. Ellis died after complications from heart failure on July 8 . He was best known for his role as Lafayette Reynolds in the HBO series True Blood from 2008 to 2014. Hes just in that Southern way sort of sauntering along, being who he is, which is something I never intended. Paul Kasey. Wrote the play "Ugly" about the devastating effects of domestic abuse after his sister Alice was shot by her husband in 2002. Your email address will not be published. Furthermore, while at Juilliard, he wrote Ugly, a semi-autobiographical play. Nelsan Ellis ' appearance in The Butler isn't long, but it's impactful. "Nelsan was a gentle, generous and kind soul. Nelsan Ellis wife. Hes not quick on his toes unless he gets heated. True Blood has seven seasons and eighty episodes. He joined the United States Marinesat the age of 17. 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). Nelsan Ellis (November 30, 1977 July 8, 2017)[1] was an American actor and playwright. But if its a regular person asking me, that just says that maybe Im doing a good job. Nelsan Ellis played one of the lead characters in the procedural drama series Elementary, created by Robert Doherty. 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, who played Lafayette Reynolds on the HBO vampire drama and Shinwell Johnson. The show premiered on September 7, 2008, and ended on August 24, 2014. He was approached by the makers of True Blood, an American dark fantasy horror television series, to play the role of Lafayette Reynolds. My heart breaks for his kids and family." Born in . The former True Blood star was just 39 years old. Nelsan Ellis talks Get On Up, researching James Brown and Bobby Byrd's relationship, singing, dancing, playing piano, the end of True Blood and more. The makers were most concerned with his characters homosexuality. Nelsan Ellis, known affectionately by many for his role as Lafayette Reynolds on HBO 's True Blood, has died after complications from heart failure at age 39. In a 2010 interview with Vibe, Ellis described how the character was likable. His final work appeared in True to the Game and Roxanne Roxanne. [18] Nelsan Ellis said that it took him a few episodes to find the character. But Ellis made it look so easy. Elliss co-stars and others reacted to his death over the weekend with photos and memories. Ellis began his acting career in the early 2000s, with a role in the short film Lost. He had gone to rehab to stop taking drugs but could not do it. He elevated his Lafayette on HBO's "True Blood" into a character comparable to Belize in Tony Kushner's "Angels in America." [7][8] When Ellis and his siblings were young, their mother, a single parent after her divorce, broke down after the death of her brother. Nelsan Ellis(November 30, 1977 - July 8, 2017) was an Americanactor and playwright. At age 6, he moved to Bessemer, Alabama with his mother. He had eight siblings: Alice Nellis, Babon Ellis, Lakeeia Thomson, Maurice Turne, Shaentika Beard, Tianna Thompson, Tommie Lee Thompson, and Yvonne Ellis. He also starred as Shinwell Johnson in Elementary from 2016 to 2017, and played a variety . [5], Ellis was born in Harvey, Illinois,[6] near Chicago, the son of Jackie Ellis and Tommie Lee Thompson. The celebrity dad also had a daughter. Bio, Son, Who is Emerald Robinson Husband? [13], In 2000, at the age of 22, he was accepted for enrollment at the Juilliard School,[12] where he befriended Rutina Wesley, later a colleague in the series True Blood. We were extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Nelsan Ellis, the network revealed. [1], "'True Blood' Star Nelsan Ellis Dies at 39", http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/true-blood-star-nelsan-ellis-dies-at-39-1019540, https://wiki.kidzsearch.com/w/index.php?title=Nelsan_Ellis&oldid=5100746. If you watch Lafayette, he doesnt do very much. Or somebody cannot be a Christian and do whatever that entails. Whos Wife? @OfficialNelsan I'm devastated by his untimely death. He was best known for playing the flamboyant short order cook, Lafayette, in the TV series, True Blood. It was performed at the school and later won the Martin E. Segal Award from the Lincoln Center. Bio, Height, Who is Singer-Dua Lipa Boyfriend? In The Butler, Ellis plays Martin Luther King Jr. [34][35][36] Ellis was survived by his son, Breon Ellis. Nelsan Ellis (November 30, 1977 July 8, 2017) was an American actor and playwright. My heart breaks for his kids and family. He died on July 8, 2017, in Los Angeles due to heart failure. Served in the United States Marine Corps but quit shortly after enlisting. I think anybody should--I mean--I have my religious views, but I don't choose to oppress them on anybody. A few days after his death, Ellis's family released a statement to the Hollywood Reporter confirming the death was linked to alcohol and . Further, his star sign is Sagittarius. All Rights Reserved. And his words and presence will be forever missed, Saines said in a statement, according to The Hollywood Reporter. I dont answer that question, Are you gay or not, when it comes down to industry people. Nelsan Ellis elementary. Powered by. Actor Nelsan Ellis has died at age 39. Nelsan Ellis was born November 30, 1978, which makes his star sign Sagittarius. Back in April, Ellis tweeted the following photo of his little man. It was one of very few that he shared with fans on social media. pic.twitter.com/If17csduHz. 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. His final acting role was in True to the Game, which was released posthumously. The actor spent four days in Woodhull Hospital before he died. Born in Harvey, IL. In fact, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, up to 25% of people who suffer from . Nelsan will be dearly missed by his fans and all of us at HBO., Nelsan Ellis starred as Lafayette Reynolds on True Blood. He was a gentle and humble soul. He was offered the role of Carter Howard in the American crime drama television series The Inside. The actor's . Ex-Girlfriend, Who is Former Player-Scott Frost Wife? The Game, real name Jayceon Taylor, cannot believe how much his daughter, Cali Dream Taylor, Chicago West celebrated her fifth birthday this past weekend with a Hello Kitty-themed party. Nelsan Ellis was born on November 30, 1977, in Harvey, Illinois. In 2004, he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from The Juilliard School. Hands to the Sky, Catch Them & They're Yours. He staged the play while a student at Julliard, and received the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts' Martin E. Segal Award for his efforts. Nelsan Ellis was born on November 30, 1977, in Harvey, Illinois, the USA to the father, Tommie Lee Thompson, and mother, Jackie Ellis. He stood at 5 10 tall (1.78m). He also appeared in Veronica Mars and Without a Trace in guest roles. He had a turbulent childhood; at one point during his teen years . True Blood 's Nelsan Ellis, who died at the age of 39, is being remembered by friends and former co-stars. Nelsan Ellis age. "Look at how cool my little man looks," Nelsan exclaimed. Nelsan also appeared in several feature films, including The Express: The Ernie Davis Story (2008), The Soloist (2009), and Secretariat (2010). He does, however, have two children, a son Breon Ellis and a daughter (an infant at the time of his demise). Ellis won the Satellite Award from the International Press Academy in the best supporting actor category in 2008, and a year later, he won the NewNowNext Award. Rest in Peace. [24], Ellis also performed in several feature films; his early roles include The Express: The Ernie Davis Story (2008) and The Soloist (2009). He also appeared in the movies The Butler (2013) and Get on Up (2014). Magazines, Digital Fans and friends of the star offered an outpouring of love and support after news broke of his death over the weekend. Jason LaVeris/Getty Images. 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. Ellis was born in Harvey, Illinois. [30], From 2016 to 2017, Ellis starred as Shinwell Johnson in the TV series Elementary. 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. Nelsan has always wanted to be an actor. We basically all went to high school together and were the theater kids and the speech club kids. He was also given the Satellite Award for Best Cast Television Series and an Ewwy Award for best supporting actor in a drama series. He was also noted for his guest appearances in several hit TV shows such as Veronica Mars (2007) and Without a Trace (2007). Nelsan was ashamed of his addiction and thus was reluctant to talk about. | He went to Jess Lanier High School and McAdory High School before enrolling at the Thornridge High School in Dolton. His family relocated to Bessemer, Alabama, when he was six years old, and then to Dolton, Illinois, when he was fourteen, where he attended Thornridge High School. Pop culture is pretty fun, too! Remembering Chicago actor Nelsan Ellis, who died July 8. [23] In 2011, he won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his performance in True Blood. Ellis was the "odd one" of eight children in a family that was barrel-scraping poor. Nelsan Ellis, an American actor, andplaywright was famous for his role in the series, True Blood, aired by HBO. As per his nationality, he is American and belongs to African-American ethnicity. Nelsan Ellis kids. Ellis was part of the show for the fifth season between 2016 and 2017. The beautiful thing about this country is that I can be a Christian and feel free to do so. He was 39. He won the Martin E. Segal Award for his semi-autobiographical play Ugly. 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. died due to complications with heart failure,, actor struggled for years with alcohol and drug abuse. His final acting role was in True to the Game, which was released posthumously. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. He went to Jess Lanier High School and McAdory High School before enrolling at the Thornridge High School in Dolton. After his parents divorced, he and his siblings became state wards. Irishlass240 (corrections by A.R. Their maternal grandmother raised them all in Bessemer, Alabama. Ellis character was of a short order cook who is also a drug dealer. 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). How much is the Net Worth of Nelsan Ellis? Just before his death, Ellis had finished working in two films, True to the Game and Roxanne Roxanne, which were released posthumously. What America's Richest Ski Town's Handling of COVID-19 Shows. The actor was just 39 at the time of his death, but his works on TV series and movies will always be remembered. "Nelsan has suffered with drug and alcohol abuse for years." 'True Blood' star Nelsan Ellis dead at 39 "After many stints in rehab, Nelsan attempted to withdraw from alcohol on his own," the . pic.twitter.com/uvlCIrnWQQ. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital Nelsan Ellis, the actor who lit up the screen on HBO's vampire drama "True Blood," has died at age 39. Many made assumptions about his sexuality and personal affairs because of his character on the show. Sarie is a writer and editor for BCK's Los Angeles division. Nelsan was born in Harvey, Illinois on 30th November 1977. Ellis won the "Brink of Fame: Actor" award at the 2009 NewNowNext Awards.Tragically, Ellis died at the age of 39 on July 8, 2017, in Los Angeles, California, after complications from heart failure. Magazines, Or create a free account to access more articles. Bio,Age, Marty Lagina Bio, Net Worth 2023 & Age, Wife, Nele Lindemann Bio, Net Worth 2023, Age, Height, Silkk The Shocker Bio, Net Worth 2023, Age, 09sharkboy Bio, Net Worth 2023, Age, Height, 21 Savage Bio, Net Worth 2023, Age, Height, 2J Bio, Net Worth 2023, Age, Height, Parents, Eight (Alice Nellis, Babon Ellis, Lakeeia Thomson, Maurice Turne, Shaentika Beard, Tianna Thompson, Tommie Lee Thompson, Yvonne Ellis). Quelques jours aprs la mort de Nelsan Ellis, inoubliable Lafayette Reynolds dans True Blood, sa famille a rvl les circonstances de son dcs. Play `` Ugly '' about the devastating effects of domestic abuse after his parents & # ;. Carter Howard in the HBO series True Blood from 2008 to 2014 8, 2017 was! 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