With a very heavy heart I have to write that Nelsan Ellis has passed away today. He was 39 years old. He was known for his role of Lafayette on True Blood, I could not believe the news when I heard it earlier today, He was always a very kind sweet person whenever I had the good luck to see him in person. I am still in shock. HBO PR tweeted a statement today (excerpt below)
.@HBO is extremely saddened to hear of the passing of True Blood’s Nelsan Ellis. Official statement: https://t.co/K8xzINf2ec
— HBO PR (@HBOPR) July 8, 2017
I tweeted below along with an image I took of Nelsan a few years back.
Such a great loss. So very sorry to hear of Nelsan passing. Always a kind, sweet man. @OfficialNelsan #TrueBlood pic.twitter.com/iniOavQbKb — Skarsgard Fans (@vs4as) July 8, 2017
Variety wrote the news earlier today on this link:
So many of his cast mates have been writing their words of appreciation for having worked with him and the deep loss they all feel.
“Crushed today by the loss of my friend and castmate Nelsan Ellis,” said “True Blood” costar Joe Manganiello. “He was a wonderful person, a pioneer, and a one of a kind artist. RIP.”
Ellis is survived by his grandmother, his father, and his son, Breon, as well as seven siblings.
He will always be remembered by this fan with a smile. For today and for the days that follow I will have a tug at my heart and tears in my eyes. It was a blessing and a joy to photograph him over the years. May he rest in peace. My deepest condolences to his family.