He was 39. Nelsan Ellis attends the premiere of "Get on Up" in New York, July 21, 2014. 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 . Nelsan was a gentle, generous and kind soul. He was a great talent. He also appeared in the movies The Butler (2013) and Get on Up (2014). For corporations that want to focus on education for underserved kids, be sure to support the . His real breakthrough came when he signed for the part of Lafayette Reynolds in the hit TV series, True Blood. Pennington), View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro. Nelsan was a married man. He was just 39 years old. In past interviews, Ellis had been asked about this speculation and, back in 2010, Vibe caught up with him and he addressed the topic. More People From Illinois. The family of Nelsan Ellis has released a statement offering more information about the actor's sudden death. Ellis was born in Harvey, Ill. in 1977 before. [10] He moved back to Illinois at age 15, where he lived with his maternal aunt. In fact, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, up to 25% of people who suffer from . Remembering the inspiring life of Nelsan Ellis, @JuilliardSchool alum and 2004 Lincoln Center Martin E. Segal Awardee. Nelsan Ellis wife. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. He also has two children, a son and a newborn daughter. 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. . Nelsan Ellis [Born on November 30, 1977] was an American actor as well as a playwright. The talented actor was 5 feet and 10 inches tall. 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. More TV Actor. Nelsan Ellis was born November 30, 1978, which makes his star sign Sagittarius. Nelsan was ashamed of his. His family released a statement on July 10, saying that Nelsan had been trying to quit alcohol in the days before his death, and suggesting that he suffered from alcohol withdrawal syndrome, leading to his heart failure. You have reached your limit of 4 free articles. Required fields are marked *. 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. Deputy Director of News & Analytics, HuffPost. Hes just in that Southern way sort of sauntering along, being who he is, which is something I never intended. Since he played a gay character on the popular vampire fantasy series True Blood, fans have speculated about the actors sexuality. Don't miss a beat. Let gay people get married. 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. Nelsan, however, was a loving father who posted a picture of his son, Breon Ellis, having fun on his ATV in April. Ex-Girlfriend, Who is Former Player-Scott Frost Wife? 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 passed away suddenly at the age of 39 over the weekend and his family has decided to speak out about the circumstances surrounding his death. He eventually moved back to Chicago at age 15, and joined the Marines briefly at the age of 17. Nelsan Ellis true to the game. Recalled by many as talented and underrated, Ellis became a True Blood fan-favorite for his portrayal of the scene-stealing, gay short order cook at Merlottes Bar in the fictional Louisiana town. [Ellis]. Magazines, Or create a free account to access more articles. 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 childhood was marked by extreme poverty. In 2005, he starred in the television film Warm Springs. L'acteur est mort en tentant de se . My heart breaks for his kids and family. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. [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. He had a net worth of about $3 million at the time of his death. Now celebrities are reacting on Twitter and paying tribute to the late star. Ellis was born in Harvey, Illinois. If you watch Lafayette, he doesnt do very much. I think anybody should--I mean--I have my religious views, but I don't choose to oppress them on anybody. Following his parents' divorce, Ellis and his mother moved to Alabama. Nelsan Ellis (19772017) was an American actor and playwright. Ellis, who played Lafayette Reynolds on the HBO vampire drama and Shinwell Johnson. Their maternal grandmother raised them all in Bessemer, Alabama. He then attended McAdory High School. . He was offered the role of Carter Howard in the American crime drama television series The Inside. He only lasted until the fifth season of Elementary. He went to Jess Lanier High School and McAdory High School before enrolling at the Thornridge High School in Dolton. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The studies were so intense and the institution is so white, and Im a black man from the South with a very specific vernacular and palate, he told Backstage in 2009 of his experience there, according to the Hollywood Reporter. He made his debut with a short role in the movie, Lost in the early 2000s. His daughter was still a newborn at the time of his death. Making his debut on the series' premiere episode, "Strange Love", in the series' first season, Nelsan plays the role of a medium and cook working at Merlotte's Bar and Grill in the small town of . Nelsan Ellis was best known for playing the demon-possessed medium Lafayette Reynolds on True Blood. If two women want to get married they should get married. At the age of 22, he enrolled at the Juilliard School, where he met Rutina Wesley, who would later work with him on the HBO series True Blood. Nelsan Ellis (November 30, 1977 July 8, 2017)[1] was an American actor and playwright. 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. He also shared this photo of his son back in December. "I would see letters, but never recognize them as a word," he explains. The celebrity dad also had a daughter. #brillIantactor #trueblood # . HBO released the following statement after hearing of Ellis passing. He stood at 5 10 tall (1.78m). Earlier today, E! Ellis was a naturalized nationality of the United States of America of African ethnicity. Nelsan Ellis, an American actor, and playwright was famous for his role in the series, True Blood, aired by HBO. The news was confirmed by his manager, Emily Gerson Saines. Nelsan Ellis, the actor who lit up the screen on HBO's vampire drama "True Blood," has died at age 39. It's easy to tell from his father's quote above just how devastating quitting without help can be. In addition, Ellis had relocated from Alabama to New York to attend Juilliards prestigious acting program. Ellis nasceu em Harvey, Illinois, perto de Chicago. Actor Nelsan Ellis, who played the inimitable Lafayette Reynolds on HBO's True Blood, died of heart failure on Saturday at only 39 years old. He died of heart failure in Woodhull Medical Center, New York, on July 8, 2017; he was just 39 years old at the time of his death. November 30 Horoscope. Ellis is also survived by his grandmother, his father, and seven siblings. Or somebody can be a Christian and still be gay and I support it. Many made assumptions about his sexuality and personal affairs because of his character on the show. Or somebody cannot be a Christian and do whatever that entails. He was a gentle and humble man. Irishlass240 (corrections by A.R. Ellis won a Satellite Award in 2008 for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his True Blood role. He was married and had two children: a son Breon Ellis and a daughter who was just an infant at the time of Ellis untimely death. [25], In 2012, Ellis was cast as Martin Luther King Jr. in a supporting performance in Lee Daniels' The Butler. Ellis' manager Emily Gerson Saines confirmed True Blood premiered on September 7, 2008, and concluded on August 24, 2014, comprising seven seasons and 80 episodes. Nelsan was ashamed of his. Nelsan Ellis(November 30, 1977 - July 8, 2017) was an Americanactor and playwright. Ellis is survived by his son, Breon, as well as his grandmother, Alex Brown, and his father, Tommie Lee Thompson, reports THR. Elementaryactor Nelsan Ellis has died. Nelsan Ellis (November 30, 1977 - July 8, 2017) was an American actor and playwright.He achieved critical acclaim for his portrayal of Lafayette Reynolds in the HBO television series True Blood (2008-2014), for which he won a Satellite Award from the International Press Academy, among other accolades. Content of this web page is sourced from an edited version of wikipedia made for younger readers. My heart breaks for his kids and family. That battle ultimately cost the 39-year-old his life. Actor Nelsan Ellis arrives at the premiere of HBO's "True Blood" Season 3 at The Cinerama Dome on June 8, 2010 in Hollywood, California. [20][21] In 2008, Ellis received a Satellite Award from the International Press Academy for best supporting actor in a television series for his role as Lafayette Reynolds. Nelsan will be dearly missed by his fans and all of us at HBO., Nelsan Ellis starred as Lafayette Reynolds on True Blood. Nelsan has passed away after complications with heart failure, the actors manager, Emily Gerson Saines, told The Hollywood Reporter. 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. He was born to parents, Jackie Ellis and Tommie Lee Thompson who later got divorced. In 2010, he portrayed Eddie Sweat in the Disney sports drama Secretariat. He had gone to rehab to stop taking drugs but could not do it. Nelsan Ellis (November 30, 1977 July 8, 2017) was an American actor and playwright. Nelsan Ellis made his breakthrough as Lafayette Reynolds in True Blood. He didn't "meet" a book until he was a first-grader in a small-town Alabama classroom. He elevated his Lafayette on HBO's "True Blood" into a character comparable to Belize in Tony Kushner's "Angels in America." Nelsan passed away after complications with heart failure. Powered by. Nelsan was a gentle, generous and kind soul. He also appeared in the moviesThe Butler(2013) and Get on Up(2014). 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. . Initially his character was killed at the beginning of the second chapter; however, the popularity of the character forced the makers to revive him and he went on to become a regular in the show. Quelques jours aprs la mort de Nelsan Ellis, inoubliable Lafayette Reynolds dans True Blood, sa famille a rvl les circonstances de son dcs. 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. Nelsan Ellis death. We were extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Nelsan Ellis. Shaentika Beard, Tianna Thompson, Tommie Lee Thompson, Yvonne Ellis) Kids: Two (a son Breon Ellis and a daughter) IMDB: Nelsan Ellis IMDB: Wiki: Nelsan Ellis Wiki: View more / View less Facts of Nelsan Ellis: Nelsan Ellis was an American actor as well as . Nelsan was born in Harvey, Illinois on 30 th November 1977. The Butler received mostly positive reviews from critics. Or somebody cannot be a Christian and do whatever that entails. 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 died of complications from alcohol withdrawal on 8th July 2017, aged 39. Nelsan will be dearly missed by his fans and all of us at HBO.. He was a gentle and humble soul. He was a Christian. He portrayed Bobby Byrd, Brown's longtime friend. [23] In 2011, he won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his performance in True Blood. She also shares stories on Medium that are meant to encourage thought and discussion. Nelsan was born on November 30, 1977, in Harvey, Illinois, the son of Jackie Ellis and Tommie Lee Thompson. Elliss character was lauded for breaking stereotypes of gay men. ORIGINAL STORY: Nelsan Ellis, the actor who played Lafayette on HBO vampire series True Blood for its entire seven-season run, died Saturday at the age of 39. 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). Your email address will not be published. Actor Nelsan Ellis has died at age 39. Breon is one of two kids that Nelsan shared with his wife. Nelsan Ellis true blood. "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 . His main source of income was acting and playwriting. Part of HuffPost Entertainment. Ellis' "The Help" costar Octavia Spencer broke the news on Instagram Saturday morning, saying, "Just got word that we lost (Nelsan). HBO confirmed his death but did not specify the. 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). His parents got divorced and Ellis was raised by his single mother along with his siblings. It's not hurting me. He is also survived by his siblings Lakeeia Thomson, Tommie Lee. He was of American nationality and belonged to African-American ethnicity. Would love your thoughts, please comment. Nelsan Ellis elementary. Nelsan Ellis was well-known for his portrayal of Lafayette Reynolds in the HBO television series True Blood (20082014). pic.twitter.com/uvlCIrnWQQ. Nelsan Ellis was born in Harvey, Illinois, on November 30, 1977, to Tommie Lee Thompson and Jackie Ellis. Ellis also had roles in films like Get on Up, The Help and Little Boxes. When news of True Blood-star Nelsan Ellis' sudden death hit social media feeds last week, . Nelsan Ellis starred as Lafayette Reynolds on True Blood. [29] Get on Up was met with positive reviews from critics. He studied at Illinois State University before getting his BFA at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City. He was also given the Satellite Award for Best Cast Television Series and an Ewwy Award for best supporting actor in a drama series. [22] In 2009, he was nominated for a Scream Award for Best Supporting Actor. It's not hurting me. He is preparing for the "Fast & Furious" franchise, which I dont think is ever going to end. My heart breaks for his kids and family," she wrote in an Instagram post. [28], The following year, Ellis joined the cast of Get on Up, a biographical drama film about the life of singer James Brown. (2010). We basically all went to high school together and were the theater kids and the speech club kids. He will be missed. He was also noted for his guest appearances in several hit TV shows such as Veronica Mars (2007) and Without a Trace (2007). The cause of death was complications from heart failure, his manager, Emily Gerson Saines,. So kee pic.twitter.com/ANxt9JsIq9, Nelsan Ellis (@officialnelsan) April 13, 2017. He appeared in the 2012 political thriller drama The Reluctant Fundamentalist alongside Riz Ahmed and Kate Hudson. Million at the Thornridge High School before enrolling at the Thornridge High School in.! 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nelsan ellis kids