He spent several years as a stage actor before achieving breakout success on. On the hbo hit, ellis played the flamboyant, scenestealing short. Nelsan ellis movies and tv shows after graduating, ellis most famous and successful role was as lafayette reynolds, a cook and vampire blood dealer on true blood. Lafayette reynolds played by nelsan ellis on true blood hbo.
True bloods nelsan ellis, dead at 39, was a unique and. True blood actor nelsan ellis died of heart failure at. Viola davis and true blood stars attend actor nelsan ellis funeral after his shocking death this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Sink your teeth into true blood, starting with this episode. From commanding the attention as a fan favorite on hbos true blood to becoming family to us as a primary. Start watching true blood on hbo with sparks fly out. Nelsan was a longtime member of the hbo family whose groundbreaking portrayal of lafayette will be remembered fondly within the overall legacy of true blood. While the sentiment went over well with some fans, others were a little more hesitant on the show returning, especially in light of actor nelsan ellis death in 2017, who played lafayette reynolds a short order cook. Nelsan ellis was the only actor in the seven years of true blood whom alan allowed to improvise. Making his debut on the series premiere episode, strange love, in the series first season, nelsan plays the role. Viola davis and true blood stars attend actor nelsan ellis. That battle ultimately cost the 39yearold his life.
Ellis appeared on the big screen in 2009 in the soloist alongside robert downey jr. While the true blood family is mourning the loss of one of its own, nelsan ellis, the actors family is grieving as well. Nelsan ellis was a classically trained actor that impacted the world with his talent. He died due to complications from heart failure, variety reported. Hollywood and gospel stars were in abundance, as ellis cousin, vashawn mitchell, largely put the program together and also sang a rousing rendition of his hit nobody greater. Recalled by many as talented and underrated, ellis became a true blood fanfavorite for his portrayal of the scenestealing. We were extremely saddened to hear of the passing of nelsan ellis, hbo said in. The actor, known for playing lafayette reynolds in the hbo vampire series, has been calle. True blood s creator, alan ball, also released a statement after hearing of ellis s passing, one that echoed many of the sentiments shared by the cast. Nelsan ellis, the actor who portrayed lafayette on all seven seasons of the hbo horrordrama series true blood, has died at the age of 39.
Nelsan ellis, who played lafayette on the hbo series true blood, has died at the age of 39 of complications of heart failure. Hollywood reacts to nelsan ellis death hollywood reporter. True blood star nelsan ellis family to open his funeral to the public. True blood actor nelsan ellis died due to alcohol withdrawal. Nelsan was born on november 30, 1977, in harvey, illinois, the son of jackie ellis and tommie lee thompson. True blood star nelsan ellis died saturday due to complications from heart failure. Mini bio 1 nelsan ellis was an awardwinning american film and television actor and playwright, perhaps best known as lafayette reynolds on hbos true blood 2008. Nelsan ellis lafayette talks true blood, gay marriage. When luke grimes started on hbos true blood last season his character james kent was wooing a female vampire. True blood star nelsan ellis dead at 39 following heart. Following the success of true blood, ellis moved from tv to film, landing key roles in movies like get on up, the stanford prison experiment. Nelsan ellis november 30, 1977 july 8, 2017 was an awardwinning american film and television actor and playwright who played the role of lafayette reynolds on the hbo original series true blood. Nelsan ellis struggled with addiction before death cnn. As part of the process, theyre sharing heartbreaking details about his.
Nelsan ellis, who played lafayette reynolds on true blood, is. The twoway tributes have poured forth for the actor, whose manager said he died from heart failure. Following the success of true blood, ellis moved from tv to film, landing key roles in movies like get on up, the stanford prison experiment, little boxes, the butler, and the help. Stephen moyer, anna paquin, deborah ann woll, joe manganiello, kristin bauer van straten, and more shared. Nelsan ellis, best known for his role as lafayette reynolds on hbos true blood, has died at age 39. The true blood family has taken to twitter and instagram to mourn the death of nelsan ellis. True blood stars, more celebrities react to nelsan ellis death. Related story true blood costars remember one of a kind nelsan ellis we were extremely saddened to hear of the passing of nelsan ellis, hbo said in a statement this afternoon. Heart failure is a silent killer in thr black communities if the us. Nelsan has passed away after complications with heart. Nelsan ellis celebrity profile check out the latest nelsan ellis photo gallery, biography, pics, pictures, interviews, news, forums and blogs at rotten tomatoes. Ellis appeared in numerous films and tv shows, including the. The news was confirmed by his manager, emily gerson saines.
He achieved critical acclaim for his portrayal of lafayette reynolds in the hbo television series true blood 20082014, for which he won a satellite award from the international press academy, among other accolades. Nelsan ellis, known for playing lafayette reynolds on hbos true blood, died on saturday of heart failure related to alcohol withdrawal. The cause of death was complications from heart failure, his manager, emily gerson saines, told cnn. Nelsan ellis attends little boxes premiere during the 2016 tribeca film. True blood fans weigh in after actor sam trammell dishes. Actor nelsan ellis, who played lafayette reynolds on hbos true blood, has died. Ellis, 39, suffered with addiction to drink and drugs for years and tried to beat the disease alone after many stints in. Nelsan ellis, who played sassy shortorder cook lafayette reynolds on hbos true blood, has died at 39 of complications from heart failure. Nelsan ellis, who has died of complications from heart failure at age 39, is being remembered by his true blood costars as a magnificent talent and one of a kind artist. Nelsan ellis family is opening up his funeral to the public. While the sentiment went over well with some fans, others were a little more hesitant on the show returning, especially in light of actor nelsan ellis death in 2017, who played lafayette reynolds a short order cook, medium, and major character on the hbo original series.
Oscar winner viola davis and several true blood costars showed out in force to celebrate the life of nelsan ellis in his hometown of harvey, ill. True blood star nelsan ellis family opens funeral to. Nelsan ellis november 30, 1977 july 8, 2017 was an american actor and playwright. Actor nelsan ellis final role in upcoming film true to. Costar stephen moyer penned a moving tribute that shows why ellis made the series sing. Nelsan ellis 19772017 nelsan ellis was an awardwinning american film and television actor and playwright, perhaps best known as lafayette reynolds on hbos true blood 2008. The late show with stephen colbert recommended for you. Nelsan ellis lafayette talks true blood, gay marriage, tyler perry p art of true bloods appeal is that the cast portrays their characters so well that its hard to believe they arent real. I imagine thats what true bloods lafayette reynolds would say about the untimely. Nelsan ellis turning into lafayette at sdcc 20 youtube. Nelsan ellis chicago funeral was a true blood reunion. Ellis was best known for playing fanfavorite character lafayette reynolds on hbos true blood. His manager, emily gerson saines, confirmed the news of his passing in a statement.
The family of the late actor, nelsan ellis, will be opening up his funeral to the public for those who want to pay their respects. The actor nelsan ellis, best known for his portrayal of lafayette reynolds on hbos series true blood, has died at the age of 39 ellis manager, emily gerson saines, confirmed the actors. Why nelsan ellis made true blood worth watching vanity fair. Nelsan ellis, the actor who lit up the screen on hbos vampire drama true blood, has died at age 39. In mid2007, ellis was cast as lafayette reynolds in the pilot for true blood. Nelsan ellis was an awardwinning american film and television actor and playwright, perhaps best known as lafayette reynolds on hbos true blood 2008. True blood star nelsan ellis has died at the age of 39 following complications related to a heart failure. The true blood actor who died saturday was attempting to withdraw from alcohol. For fans and colleagues, the news came suddenly on saturday, july 8th, with confirmation to thr from ellis manager emily gerson saines. His role in the book died early on, but in the tv show, he lasted through the whole series possibly because of. In addition to his television work, ellis appeared in several feature films. Ever born in harvey, illinois, in 1978, actor nelsan ellis trained at the juilliard school in new york city.
In a statement to the hollywood reporter, ellis manager emily. Nelsan ellis, most famous for the role of lafayette on hbos true blood, has passed away at age 39 due to complications stemming from heart failure. Nelsan ellis true blood family is particularly shaken by news of the actors death. True blood cast reactions to nelsan ellis death popsugar. Limited funds and access to healthcare coupled with access to unhealthy food, little to no culture of healthy eating, food deserts, high smoking rates, means that many blacks end ups with health problems by the time they near 40. True blood actor nelsan ellis died from heart failure after trying to withdraw from alcohol on his own, his agent has said. Nelsan ellis family shares circumstances of true blood actors death. Nelsan ellis of hbos true blood has died following complications from a heart disease at age 39. Nelsan ellis was laid to rest yesterday in a lovely ceremony at a church of god in christ in the chicago south suburb of harvey. Nelsan ellis, the actor who starred on hbos true blood as the fan favorite lafayette reynolds, struggled with drug and alcohol abuse for years.
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