Nelsan Ellis, star of True Blood and Elementary, has died at the age of 39. His friends and colleagues pay tribute.
Having to report on celebrity deaths is never easy, but when we’re talking about someone so young and unfinished, the task becomes even heavier.
Nelsan Ellis was only 39 when he passed away due to complications from heart failure, leaving behind his grandmother, his father and his son Breon.
The news was first broken by Ellis’ The Help co-star Octavia Spencer, who wrote on Instagram:
“Just got word that we lost @nelsanellisofficial. My heart breaks for his kids and family. #RIPNelsanEllis. #brillIantactor #trueblood #getonup #thesoloist #thehelp. The first time I met him was on the set of the soloist and we were at rehearsal with a lot of the homeless cast members, and Nelsan was playing our counselor. He walked in wearing a pair of fitted camo cargo pants, a pristine white tshirt, a beret, and a denim jacket. Needless to say he was gorgeous, sexy. But his talent had me speechless. We became instant friends after that. He was sooooo funny. I miss him. #nelsanellis”
Ellis was a rising star, most famous for his striking and iconic turn as Lafayette on HBO’s True Blood.
Some of his most memorable movies included The Soloist, The Help, Get on Up and The Stanford Prison Experiment. Last year, Ellis landed a lead role on CBS’ Elementary, playing Shinwell Johnson through the recently wrapped fifth season.
Nelsan Ellis’ friends and colleagues have taken to social media to express their grief.
Here are some of the moving tributes that convey just how much Ellis will be missed:
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
He was like my son. Heartbroken. You took a piece of my heart with you. pic.twitter.com/jrh4vLDtDd
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) July 9, 2017
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
My heart is broken by the passing of Nelsan Ellis. A truly beautiful person. My love to his family and friends. #RIPNelsanEllis #TrueBlood pic.twitter.com/ZUor1yx4Yg
— Deborah Ann Woll (@DeborahAnnWoll) July 8, 2017
I am speechless… I am heartbroken… Rest In Peace my friend @OfficialNelsan pic.twitter.com/nvyzM8QoI7
— Kevin Alejandro (@kevinmalejandro) July 8, 2017
Me and Nelsan at final premiere of #TrueBlood. A creative genius, beautiful true soul. Just can't believe it. #RIPNelsanEllis pic.twitter.com/oeDLRjUKgA
— Tanya Wright (@tanyaTTwright) July 8, 2017
Nelsan was a gift. He inspired me to push myself to new heights, both as an artist and as a person. Thank you for all you gave us.
– Nathan— Nathan Parsons (@Nathan_Parsons) July 8, 2017
Unbelievably sad news. Nelsan was such a sweet, gentle soul with an enormous talent. He will be missed greatly RIP https://t.co/NDdoaeM6Pj
— MichaelRaymond-James (@MRaymondJames) 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
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
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. Miss u friend
— Sam Trammell (@SamTrammell) July 8, 2017
Me n @SamTrammell sending love 2 our #TrueBlood family during this sad time. Wish we could all be together. #truebloodforever #truetotheend pic.twitter.com/syFW7baLXG
— Michelle Forbes (@MishkaForbes) July 9, 2017
I can't believe this… What a loss. A genius actor and incredibly kind human being. Heartbreaking. https://t.co/vpGt19MbJF
— Brit Morgan (@MsBritMorgan) 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
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
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
#NelsanEllis was a magnet. You couldn't take your eyes off him. Thank you for inspiring us ? RIP #trueblood pic.twitter.com/YSvl5FYP9w
— Amelia Rose Blaire (@AmeliaRBlaire) July 9, 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
Y'all I just heard Nelson Ellis passed away!! Damn! Gonna miss your talent man!! My prayers goes out to his loved ones. #RIPLafayette pic.twitter.com/0ZiBq5pQN8
— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) July 9, 2017
Rise in Peace, King. And thank you for sharing your gifts with us. You made a difference. #nelsanellis pic.twitter.com/blav8fr3Qc
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) July 8, 2017
Neither did we. RIP beautiful soul #NelsanEllis pic.twitter.com/2VH7KKggEW
— Patricia Bethune (@patriciabethune) July 9, 2017
Celebrating my brother @OfficialNelsan. 4Eva linked like Bobby Byrd and JB. We love u. We miss u. RIP. https://t.co/ksDIiMGBOZ pic.twitter.com/2HnFEKBBjh
— Chadwick Boseman (@chadwickboseman) July 8, 2017
This brother was one of the baddest! RIP #NelsanEllis ? https://t.co/O9l2nLmbWl
— Sterling K Brown (@sterlingkb1) July 8, 2017
Nelsan Ellis was a gifted artist. We join his fans in remembering his accomplishments & extend our sympathies to his family and friends.
— Elementary (@Elementary_CBS) July 9, 2017
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
HBO has also released a statement, writing:
“We were extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Nelsan Ellis. 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.”
Via Bryce Dallas Howard, here are details about how to donate to charities in his honor:
(2/2) In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made tohttps://t.co/PgvLoSP0Jr
— Bryce Dallas Howard (@BryceDHoward) July 9, 2017
Rest in peace, Nelsan Ellis.
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