Nelsan Ellis Dead At 39; ‘True Blood,’ ‘The Help’ Co-Stars React To His Death
Shortly after news broke that actor Nelsan Ellis died on Saturday at the age of 39, several of his former co-stars and friends in the industry took to social media to mourn his untimely death.
Ellis received tributes from his “True Blood” co-stars, including Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Joe Manganiello, Denis O’Hare, Carrie Preston, Aisha Hinds, Mehcad Brooks, Lindsay Pulsipher, Jim Parrack, Todd Lowe, Janina Gavankar, Kristin Bauer, Tara Buck, Lauren Bowls, Maria Klaveno, Deborah Ann Woll, Michael McMillian and Michelle Forbes.
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
Nelsan Ellis was truly remarkable. A brilliant, charismatic, intelligent, soulful, wonderful dude. this is just completely tragic.
— Stephen Moyer (@smoyer) July 8, 2017
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 pic.twitter.com/fvtquhIac7
— JOE MANGANIELLO (@JoeManganiello) July 8, 2017
Very disturbed and sad that Nelsan Ellis has died. Such a huge talent. Such a wonderful man. The world is a poorer place today...
— Denis O'Hare (@denisohare) July 8, 2017
Dearest #NelsanEllis , may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest, you phenomenally talented genius.... pic.twitter.com/2OamZvBVNe
— Carrie Preston (@carriepreston) July 8, 2017
This DEVASTATING news about @OfficialNelsan just EMPTIED me....His passing is hard to process right now...💔 So.Gifted.
— Aisha Hinds (@AishaHinds) July 8, 2017
My heart hurts...Nelsan Ellis truly was one of a kind. Such talent, grace, and full of love. May you rest in peace, my friend.
— Lindsay Pulsipher (@lindspulsipher) July 8, 2017
So blessed to share the screen with you you beautiful man. pic.twitter.com/DCD6WLAdJn
— Todd Lowe (@Todd__Lowe) July 8, 2017
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to https://t.co/J2tRczKK4p or https://t.co/EfHSchRLR3
— janina gavankar (@Janina) July 8, 2017
Stunned & heart broken about @OfficialNelsan A brilliantly talented & thoughtful actor. His humanity & sense of humor will be remembered.
— Tara Buck (@iamtarabuck) July 8, 2017
I. Am. So. Sad. https://t.co/qk0SWqzwCq
— Lauren Bowles (@LaurenEBowles) July 8, 2017
No one could raise a brow like @OfficialNelsan An army of us r left wanting more. Wherever you are sir,wish u peace. pic.twitter.com/4NBRSSRKwF
— Lauren Bowles (@LaurenEBowles) July 8, 2017
I am stunned and heartbroken. Our #TrueBlood family and the world has lost an amazing talent and human being. https://t.co/Ot0l1pjlmL
— Mariana Klaveno (@MarianaKlaveno) July 8, 2017
Heartbreaking. https://t.co/LuDtfxBUJB
— Deborah Ann Woll (@DeborahAnnWoll) July 8, 2017
Stunned, devastated by the terrible news of @OfficialNelsan's passing. Nelsan was a genius and a beautiful soul. Sending love to his family.
— Michael McMillian (@McMillzz) July 8, 2017
Heart is shattered hearing of tragic news of #NelsanEllis passing. Devastated.He possessed such humility & fearless talent. U r deeply loved
— Michelle Forbes (@MishkaForbes) July 8, 2017
READ: Nelsan Ellis reveals why Luke Grimes quit “True Blood”
In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, “True Blood” creator Alan Ball called Ellis a “singular talent whose creativity never ceased to amaze.” “Working with him was a privilege,” he added.
“True Blood” executive producer Gregg Fienberg and Charlaine Harris, the author of “True Blood” novels that inspired the series, also took to Twitter to express their grief over Ellis’ death.
RIP Nelsan. Working with you was one of the great privileges for the entire True Blood family. You will be deeply missed! https://t.co/V5ABKzfAwl
— Gregg Fienberg (@gdfearless) July 8, 2017
I am so sad about the death of Nelsan Ellis, a great talent gone too soon. Such a shock. 💔
— Charlaine Harris (@RealCharlaine) July 8, 2017
HBO also released a statement addressing Ellis’ passing. “We were extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Nelsan Ellis,” the premium cable network said. “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.”
Ellis’ Lafayette was a short order cook at Merlotte’s Bar and Grill on the HBO dark fantasy drama. Lafayette was killed off in the books, but because Ellis made him a fun and interesting character from the very start, the character survived in the series.
Octavia Spencer and Jessica Chastain, who Ellis co-starred with in the 2011 period drama film “The Help,” also remembered the late actor. Ellis played the role of Henry in the Tate Taylor-directed movie.
We didnt even scratch the surface of seeing what this artist was capable of. My love to the family of this spectacular man. #NelsanEllis pic.twitter.com/3DoPQZYS7p
— Jessica Chastain (@jes_chastain) July 8, 2017
“Elementary” writers also expressed their deepest condolences to Ellis’ loved ones and referred to the actor as “a treasured member of the ‘Elementary’ family.” Ellis played the role of Shinwell Johnson in Season 5 of the CBS crime drama. His character was killed off two episodes before the season finale.
Nelsan Ellis will always be a treasured member of the Elementary family. Our hearts & prayers are w/his loved ones on this saddest of days.
— Elementary Writers (@ELEMENTARYStaff) July 8, 2017
Rob Thomas, creator of “Veronica Mars” in which Ellis had guest-starred once, also reacted to the actor’s shocking death.
Nelsan Ellis Dies — True Blood’s Lafayette Reynolds Dead at 39 | TVLine
— Rob Thomas (@RobThomas) July 8, 2017
This breaks my heart. https://t.co/Rj0QyzyHQw
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