http://www.looper.com/74061/true-blood-star-nelsan-ellis-dies-39/

Nelsan Ellis, known for his role as short order cook Lafayette Reynolds in the hit HBO series*True Blood, has died at the age of 39.*

Ellis' manager, Emily Gerson Saines, confirmed the heartbreaking news to the The Hollywood Reporter on July 8. "Nelsan has passed away after complications with heart failure," said Saines. "He was a great talent, and his words and presence will be forever missed."

An Illinois native, Ellis attended Oxford University and Columbia College in Chicago in his young adulthood. He ultimately graduated from the institution many only ever dream of being accepted into: The Juilliard School.

Fans remember Ellis for his warmth and screen presence on*True Blood. As Lafayette, Ellis was reportedly so magnetic that, despite being killed off in the book series upon which the show is based, Lafayette stuck around for many seasons.*

HBO released a statemen (http://www.looper.com/74065/true-blood-actors-react-nelsan-ellis-sudden-death/)t (via*THR (http://www.nickiswift.com/74047/true-blood-star-nelsan-ellis-dead-39/)) in light of Ellis' sudden death: "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."

The creator of the series, Alan Ball, also spoke out, stating, "Nelsan was a singular talent whose creativity never ceased to amaze me. Working with him was a privilege."

Outside of*True Blood, Ellis gained clout in the entertainment industry in films and television shows like*Elementary, Get On Up, The Butler,*and*The Soloist.*

Survivors includes his father, grandmother, aunt, three brothers, and four sisters. Ellis is also survived by his son, Breon. In lieu of flowers, the late actor's family has requested donations be made to one of two organizations: the Jenesse Center, a domestic violence center in Los Angeles, or*The Restoration Ministries Church of God and Christ.*

Read More: http://www.looper.com/74061/true-blood-star-nelsan-ellis-dies-39/?utm_campaign=clip

I have to say he was one of the reasons I tuned into "True Blood" as I loved the character Lafayette. This is very sad. :(

Got to know him on "Elementary". An amazing screen presence. Very sad, indeed.

Nelsan Ellis' Family Shares Circumstances of Actor's Death
by Ryan Parker
7/10/17


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. That battle ultimately cost the 39-year-old his life.

Now, days after his death, Ellis' family agreed to release to The Hollywood Reporter, through his manager Emily Gerson Saines, the exact circumstances around the beloved actor's passing. Ellis died Saturday of heart failure. His death was met with a massive outpouring from friends and fans around the world, who were shocked and heartbroken over the news.

In an effort to help others who may be struggling with the same addictions that afflicted Ellis, his family released the following via Saines to THR:





Nelsan’s father has bravely agreed for me to share the circumstances of Nelsan’s heart failure. Nelsan has suffered with drug and alcohol abuse for years. After many stints in rehab, Nelsan attempted to withdraw from alcohol on his own. According to his father, during his withdrawal from alcohol he had a blood infection, his kidneys shut down, his liver was swollen, his blood pressure plummeted, and his dear sweet heart raced out of control.

On the morning of Saturday July 8th, after four days in Woodhull Hospital, Nelsan was pronounced dead. Nelsan was a gentle, generous and kind soul. 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. Nelsan was ashamed of his addiction and thus was reluctant to talk about it during his life. His family, however, believes that in death he would want his life to serve as a cautionary tale in an attempt to help others.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/true-blood-actor-nelsan-ellis-died-due-alcohol-withdrawal-complications-family-says-1019634

Rest in peace Lafayette.

Speaking at a 10th anniversary screening of the "True Blood" pilot episode at Vulture Festival in Los Angeles on Sunday, creator Alan Ball paid tribute to Nelsan Ellis, who tragically passed away last year.

When Ellis came on screen for the first time in the episode, Ball sighed and said, “That breaks my heart. He was so amazingly talented.” Ball recalled that Ellis mostly ad-libbed his first scene.

Although that wasn’t standard practice on the show, Ball was so impressed, he stood back and let him do it, he said.

https://deadline.com/2018/11/true-blood-alan-ball-musical-version-1202504615/