In the days prior to his death, Ellis was attempting to withdraw from alcohol on his own; he was hospitalized due to serious complications from alcohol withdrawal syndrome, which resulted in his death. The news was confirmed by his manager,Emily Gerson Saines. - IMDb Mini Biography By: You make a big . He was born in Harvey, Illinois to parents, Jackie Ellis and Tommie Lee Thompson. Among two kids one is a son, Breon Ellis and another a daughter, . He was also an alumnus of the Illinois State University. [25], In 2012, Ellis was cast as Martin Luther King Jr. in a supporting performance in Lee Daniels' The Butler. If you want to get married to a man then get married to a man. He had a net worth of about $3 million at the time of his death. Ellis was born in Harvey, Ill. in 1977 before. Nelsan Ellis starred as Lafayette Reynolds on True Blood. 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. Nelsan was a married man. Ellis, best known for playing the lovable short-order cook Lafayette on HBOs True Blood, died due to complications with heart failure, his manager, Emily Gerson Saines, first confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter on Saturday. [24], Ellis also performed in several feature films; his early roles include The Express: The Ernie Davis Story (2008) and The Soloist (2009). Aos seis anos, aps o divrcio de seus pais, Ellis e sua me mudaram-se para o Alabama. #RIPNelsanEllis. 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. Further, his star sign is Sagittarius. The family of Nelsan Ellis has released a statement offering more information about the actors sudden death. Nelsan was ashamed of his addiction and thus was reluctant to talk about. According to his family, he was suffering from alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Nelsan also appeared in several feature films, including The Express: The Ernie Davis Story (2008), The Soloist (2009), and Secretariat (2010). He is preparing for the "Fast & Furious" franchise, which I dont think is ever going to end. NEW YORK Actor Nelsan Ellis, best known for playing the character of Lafayette Reynolds on "True Blood," has died at the age of 39. Publicity Listings His real breakthrough came when he signed for the part of Lafayette Reynolds in the hit TV series, True Blood. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. Nelsan Ellis, most famous for his long-running role as Lafayette Reynolds, the most fabulous queer line cook on the planet, on HBO's True Blood, has died at the age of 39. He was also part of the renowned series Elementary where he portrayed different characters as a guest. 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. Deputy Director of News & Analytics, HuffPost. The show premiered on September 7, 2008, and ended on August 24, 2014. "I would see letters, but never recognize them as a word," he explains. He portrayed Bobby Byrd, Brown's longtime friend. The cause of death was complications from heart failure, his manager, Emily Gerson . Actor Nelsan Ellis has died at age 39. He was a Christian. Nelsan Ellis - Ellis became an instant favorite in the popular series True Blood, playing chef Lafayette Reynolds at Merlotte's. His character was known for his flamboyant outfits and sassy . My heart breaks for his kids and family." Ellis' TV credits include the Fox series "The Inside," UPN's "Veronica Mars" and the HBO film "Warm Springs" with Kenneth Branagh, Cynthia Nixon and. HBO confirmed his death but did not specify the. Nelsan Ellis (30 de novembro de 1977 - 8 de julho de 2017 [1]) foi um ator e dramaturgo americano, mais conhecido por interpretar Lafayette Reynolds na srie da HBO True Blood. L'acteur est mort en tentant de se . Nelsan Ellis' True Blood family is particularly shaken by news of the actor's death. Nelsan Ellis' sudden death has left many of his former True Blood co-stars reeling. 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. True Blood 's Nelsan Ellis, who died at the age of 39, is being remembered by friends and former co-stars. Nelsan Ellis was an award-winning American actor and playwright who was best known for being cast as Carter Howard in The Inside (2005-2006), Lafayette Reynolds in True Blood (2008-2014), and Shinwell Johnson in Elementary (2016-2017). Ellis is survived by his son, Breon, as well as his grandmother, Alex Brown, and his father, Tommie Lee Thompson, reports THR. Moved to Dolton, IL, at 14, where he attended Thornridge High School. More TV Actor. Ellis began his acting career in the early 2000s, with a role in the short film Lost. Nelsan Ellis was married to a woman despite constant rumors that he was gay. (2010). I think anybody should--I mean--I have my religious views, but I don't choose to oppress them on anybody. He was a gentle and humble soul. He was best known for his role as Lafayette Reynolds in the HBO series True Blood from 2008 to 2014. You can catch her outside enjoying nature and classical literature. Ellis and his siblings became wards of the state, and later were raised in Bessemer, Alabama, by their maternal grandmother. 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 actor Nelsan Ellis, best known for his portrayal of Lafayette Reynolds on HBO's series True Blood, has died at the age of 39. Just before his death, Ellis had finished working in two films, True to the Game and Roxanne Roxanne, which were released posthumously. Your email address will not be published. Ellis attended Juilliard and, while there, wrote a semi-autobiographical play titled Ugly that was performed at the school and later won the Lincoln Center's Martin E. Segal Award. If you watch Lafayette, he doesnt do very much. pic.twitter.com/pBVMZSfzjG, Nelsan Ellis (@officialnelsan) December 14, 2016. On Monday, Saines shared a statement with THR and later with HuffPost from Ellis family, revealing that the actor struggled for years with alcohol and drug abuse, and suffered multiple health complications during his withdrawal from alcohol. The critics loved the death, and the reviews were off the charts. Over the weekend it was reported that . Nelsan was ashamed of his addiction and thus was reluctant to talk about it during his life, the statement reads. Ellis was notoriously private when it came to his personal life. His mother's name was Jackie Ellis and his father's name was Tommie Lee Thompson. And his words and presence will be forever missed, Saines said in a statement, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Elliss character was lauded for breaking stereotypes of gay men. ", "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???? Content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. Elementaryactor Nelsan Ellis has died. 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). But when a casting director or an agent asks me that question it takes on a deeper thing that says, I cant believe youre doing this unless you are that,' Ellis told Vibe. Official Sites. 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). Ellis was part of the show between 2005 and 2006, appearing in twelve episodes. We were extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Nelsan Ellis. Ellis struggled with alcoholism and was trying to get rid of his drinking problem in the days before his death. He went to Jess Lanier High School and McAdory High School before enrolling at the Thornridge High School in Dolton. The beautiful thing about this country is that I can be a Christian and feel free to do so. He joined the United States Marinesat the age of 17. May his soul rest in peace. Following his parents' divorce, Ellis and his mother moved to Alabama. Nelsan Ellis: The Collective was started by myself, Francois Battiste, Veronda Carey, Le'Mil Eiland, Metra Gilliard and Jasond Jones. Nelsan Ellis has passed away at 39 from complications from heart failure, his manager Emily Gerson Saines has confirmed with The Hollywood Reporter.. "He was a great talent, and his words and . His final acting role was in True to the Game, which was released posthumously. He was a wonderful person, a pioneer, and a one of a kind artist. He had a turbulent childhood; at one point during his teen years . The performer passed. Once they get me with the fake eyelashes and the eye makeup, I listen to some Rihanna and I'm there. #brillIantactor #trueblood # . We were extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Nelsan Ellis, HBO said in a statement. #brillIantactor #trueblood #getonup #thesoloist #thehelp," she posted on Twitter and . The actor's . #RIPNelsanEllis. HBO released the following statement after hearing of Ellis passing. Since he played a gay character on the popular vampire fantasy series True Blood, fans have speculated about the actors sexuality. He followed this up with guest roles in Veronica Mars and Without a Trace, both in 2007. His famous works in movies include The Express, Get on Up and so on. Nelsan Ellis was born in 1978 in Harvey, IL and moved to Bessemer, AL when he was six with his mother after his parents' divorce. His final work appeared in True to the Game and Roxanne Roxanne. Quelques jours aprs la mort de Nelsan Ellis, inoubliable Lafayette Reynolds dans True Blood, sa famille a rvl les circonstances de son dcs. [31][32][33] His family released a statement on July 10, 2017, saying that he had an ongoing struggle with drug and alcohol abuse. There isnt much information about his wife. Nelson died on July 8, 2017 in New York City, USA, at the age of 39. Ellis portrayed the role of Eddie Sweat in the American biographical sports drama film Secretariat. Hands to the Sky, Catch Them & They're Yours. More People From Illinois. Nelsan was born on November 30, 1977, in Harvey, Illinois, the son of Jackie Ellis and Tommie Lee Thompson. He died as a result of complications with heart failure. Nelsan Ellis true blood. The beautiful thing about this country is that I can be a Christian and feel free to do so. His character was bisexual and according to him, he had to put on a lot of make-up for this role. 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