"Body of Proof's" Windell Middlebrooks Dies at 36

[JamesG]

Windell Middlebrooks Dead at 36
by Rebecca Iannucci
March 10, 2015


Actor Windell Middlebrooks, whose TV resume included roles on "Body of Proof" and "Scrubs", died Monday at the age of 36, TMZ reports. The cause of death is not yet known.

In addition to his series regular role on "Body of Proof", where he portrayed medical examiner Curtis Brumfield for the show’s three-season run, Middlebrooks had a knack for playing security guards — first as "Scrubs’" Captain Duncook, then as Kirby Morris on the Disney Channel’s "The Suite Life on Deck".





His former co-stars have been expressing their condolences on Twitter:


Debby Ryan:

"rest in peace Windell Middlebrooks, our “Kirby”. you were a light to the entire Suite Life crew and cast and we’ll forever love you."



Dana Delany:

"I am heartbroken over the death of @Windell4Real. He was a shining light of goodness. My thoughts are with his Momma, whom he loved dearly."



Jeri Ryan:

"Just heard that my sweet, sweet friend Windell Middlebrooks has passed away. I’m stunned and heartbroken. RIP, my sweet Windell. Too young."

http://tvline.com/2015/03/10/windell...body-of-proof/

[JamesG]

"Body of Proof" Producer Matthew Gross Remembers Windell Middlebrooks, “One of the Funniest People on This Planet”
by Nellie Andreeva
March 10, 2015


For actor Windell Middlebrooks, whose career was cut short when he died Tuesday at age 36, his biggest TV gig was a series regular role on the three seasons of the ABC procedural crime drama "Body of Proof".

Matthew Gross, who executive produced the Dana Delany-starring series, created by Chris Murphey, shared his memories of Middlebrooks, who played Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Curtis Brumfield on the show.

Yesterday we lost an incredible human being. Most people know him as the “Miller Delivery Guy,” but for those who had the privilege of truly knowing him, knew Windell Middlebrooks was an inspirational humanitarian, a family man, artist, dancer, entertainer and one of the funniest people on this planet.

Have you laughed until it hurt? That was Windell. He was kind, sweet and infectious; he lit up a room upon entering it and charmed and endeared everyone in it.

I remember when Chris and I were first casting "Body of Proof", Windell was the first person cast because he owned the role the minute he walked through the door. No one else stood half a chance. We paired Windell with another comedian, Geoffrey Arend, and together they were a contemporary comedy duo who reminded of the comic genus of Abbott and Costello or Laurel and Hardy.

I will miss him, he was way too young and the world is not as cheerful without him in it. “Milk the Dairy Cow!”

http://deadline.com/2015/03/windell-...ce-1201390375/

[JamesG]

"Body of Proof’s" Geoffrey Arend: Eulogy For My Friend Windell Middlebrooks
by Nellie Andreeva
March 11, 2015


Friends and fans of actor and Miller High Life pitchman Windell Middlebrooks are still trying to come to grips with his sudden death at age 36.

Geoffrey Arend was paired with Middlebrooks for three seasons on ABC’s "Body of Proof", with the duo providing most of the crime drama’s comic relief. Today, the "Madam Secretary" co-star is looking back at working with the late actor, sharing fond memories of their time together.

Eulogy for my Friend

I hear certain people referred to as a once-in-a-generation talent or a once-in-a-generation mind, but Windell Middlebrooks was a once-in-a-generation human being. He embodied all of the virtues that we find rare and inspiring in each other: passion, generosity, loyalty and friendship.

People like Windell are the better angels among us, constantly lifting spirits, teaching by example that we shouldn’t fear thinking with our hearts. His smile was a gift, his laughter was infectious, and he was very strong. Before Windell, I didn’t understand that a bear hug was supposed to feel like an actual bear hugging you.





The first season of shooting "Body of Proof" took place in Providence, RI, far away from much of the cast and crew’s families. It was especially lucky for us to have had Windell then; he carried an easy sense of home and family wherever he went.

One of my fondest memories of Windell was when we went to one of those Chuck E. Cheese for Grownups establishments that lets you drink, play Street Fighter and eat pizza at the same time. I remember Windell asked the bartender if, when he made his cocktail, he could put it in something other than the Budweiser glasses that populated the bar. I asked him about it, and he spoke about how much he appreciated the Miller job, how it was a blessing, and that it didn’t make sense to drink in anything besides a Miller glass because he didn’t want to disappoint the fans that inevitably approached him.

Of course, on cue, a fan appeared asking for a picture. Forever the prince, he stopped what he was doing and spoke with the guy for several minutes.





Later that night we started playing those horribly addictive games that give you tickets for prizes no kid could ever hope to earn — the top-shelf stuff in the treasure room that beckons to you to keep playing but is forever out of reach. Every kid with a handful of tickets gets stuck with a plastic whistle or crap candy after blowing 10 bucks on Skee Ball.

Anyway, Windell was playing some dumb-looking game when suddenly all the sirens went off, lights flashed, and tickets started pouring out in his direction. I want to say they were in the thousands, but I’m probably discounting it. His face was priceless, beaming and excited as the tickets waterfalled over his legs.

A crowd was forming around the squawking machine. Windell gathered up his riches, looked at me and said, “Hey, watch this. This is the best.”





He walked away from the crowd, towards a mother and her mesmerized son. They too were watching the machine as it died down, wondering if any luck was left in it. Windell whispered something to the mother and she considered him for a moment before nodding, at which point Windell crouched down and offered the impossible bundle of tickets to her tiny kid.

I could see the boy’s mind racing, trying to figure out if it was a trick. With a smile, Windell evaporated his doubts. The kid let out a laugh and hugged the billowing ticket mass. As the little guy strode to the treasure room with his mother, the kids who had been drawn to the big-win machine now surrounded him with as much awe and excitement.

I stood there, speechless. Why did he do that? I mean, I was standing right there – why didn’t he give me the tickets? Windell, still smiling, forever smiling in my mind, put his hand on my shoulder and said, “Now you go get some tickets and do it too.”





I will remember him as that once-in-a-lifetime type of person: an incredible actor, a gifted performer and a fantastic human being. I truly believe he brought out the best in everyone around him in every situation. I know he did that for me.

He will be missed.


- Geoffrey Arend

http://deadline.com/2015/03/windell-...gy-1201391165/