He was of American nationality and belonged to African-American ethnicity. Back in April, Ellis tweeted the following photo of his little man. It was one of very few that he shared with fans on social media. 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. He joined the United States Marines at the age of 17. Ellis, best known for playing the lovable short-order cook Lafayette on HBOs True Blood, died due to complications with heart failure, his manager, Emily Gerson Saines, first confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter on Saturday. Elementaryactor Nelsan Ellis has died. He was a Christian. Bio, Height, Who is Singer-Dua Lipa Boyfriend? Publicity Listings [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. Jul 18, 2017 at 6:03 pm. Ellis began his acting career in the early 2000s, with a role in the short film Lost. F ans were shocked that Nelsan Ellis, the 39-year-old actor who starred on HBO's "True Blood," died of heart failure. Ellis nasceu em Harvey, Illinois, perto de Chicago. Look at how cool my little man looks, Nelsan exclaimed. Nelsan stood tall with a height of 5 feet and 10 inches. His final acting role was in True to the Game, which was released posthumously. His main source of income was acting and playwriting. [34][35][36] Ellis was survived by his son, Breon Ellis. His childhood was marked by extreme poverty. Nelsan Ellis was married to a woman despite constant rumors that he was gay. True Blood has seven seasons and eighty episodes. In short, Ellis was not gay. Nelsan was born on November 30, 1977, in Harvey, Illinois, the son of Jackie Ellis and Tommie Lee Thompson. If you want to get married to a man then get married to a man. Nelsan Ellis age. Nelsan Ellis kids. In 2009, he was nominated for a Scream Award for Best Supporting Actor. [23] In 2011, he won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his performance in True Blood. [Ellis]. In fact, he had a wife, according to WetPaint. The formerTrue Blood star was just 39 years old. He was also part of the renowned series Elementary where he portrayed different characters as a guest. Nothing came his way for the next three years until he appeared in a television film Warm Springs as Roy Collier. . 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). 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. Ellis was part of the show for the fifth season between 2016 and 2017. Nelsan Ellis was born in Harvey, Illinois, United States. [2] He also starred as Shinwell Johnson in Elementary from 2016 to 2017,[3] and played a variety of guest roles in other television series, including Veronica Mars and Without a Trace. Many made assumptions about his sexuality and personal affairs because of his character on the show. Following his parents' divorce, Ellis and his mother moved to Alabama. Robert Vaughn. Ellis began his career in early 2000, with a role in a short film. In 2005, he starred in the television film Warm Springs. We were extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Nelsan Ellis, the network revealed. Earlier today, E! Expand. Jason LaVeris/Getty Images. Moved to Dolton, IL, at 14, where he attended Thornridge High School. Hal Linden. 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 Ellis was best known for playing the demon-possessed medium Lafayette Reynolds on True Blood. Similarly, in 2008, he received a Satellite Award from the International Press Academy for best supporting actor in HBOs True Blood as Lafayette Reynolds. He graduated from Julliard School with a degree in Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2004. The talented actor was 5 feet and 10 inches tall. The celebrity dad also had a daughter. Ellis, best known for playing the lovable short-order cook Lafayette on HBO's "True Blood," died due to "complications with heart failure," his manager, Emily Gerson Saines, first confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter on Saturday. The beautiful thing about this country is that I can be a Christian and feel free to do so. Nelsan was born on November 30, 1977, in Harvey, Illinois, the son of Jackie Ellis and Tommie Lee Thompson. 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. Nelsan and the printed page didn't hit it off. Your email address will not be published. Actor Nelsan Ellis, famous for his role as Lafayette Reynolds on "True Blood", died after complications from heart failure on July 8, 2017. Look at how cool my little man looks !!! 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. Nelsan Ellis elementary. Don't miss a beat. [10] He moved back to Illinois at age 15, where he lived with his maternal aunt. 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 vuonna 2009. Or somebody cannot be a Christian and do whatever that entails. Irishlass240 (corrections by A.R. The beautiful thing about this country is that I can be a Christian and feel free to do so. Ellis was born in Harvey, Illinois. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. Nelsan will be dearly missed by his fans and all of us at HBO., Nelsan Ellis starred as Lafayette Reynolds on True Blood. The news was confirmed by his manager, Emily Gerson Saines. But when a casting director or an agent asks me that question it takes on a deeper thing that says, I cant believe youre doing this unless you are that,' Ellis told Vibe. Ellis attended Jess Lanier High School for a year. Edi Gathegi. Wrote the play "Ugly" about the devastating effects of domestic abuse after his sister Alice was shot by her husband in 2002. #brillIantactor #trueblood #getonup #thesoloist #thehelp," she posted on Twitter and . Nelsan will be dearly missed by his fans and all of us at HBO.. The film was based on the life of the racehorse, Secretariat, the winner of the Triple Crown in 1973, and featured John Malkovich and Diane Lane among others. In addition, following his parents divorce, Nelsan and his mother relocated to Alabama. Served in the United States Marine Corps but quit shortly after enlisting. Elliss co-stars and others reacted to his death over the weekend with photos and memories. Nelsan Ellis (November 30, 1977 July 8, 2017)[1] was an American actor and playwright. He is preparing for the "Fast & Furious" franchise, which I dont think is ever going to end. Is Richard Jefferson Married? He won the Martin E. Segal Award for his semi-autobiographical play Ugly. Ellis' manager Emily Gerson Saines confirmed He was a father, a son, a grandson, a brother, a nephew, and a great friend to those. Let gay people get married. Ellis is also survived by his grandmother, his father, and seven siblings. Nelsan Ellis true to the game. Nelsan was a humble and kind soul who somehow got stuck in the habit of taking alcohol and drugs. Nelsan Ellis: True Blood actor died after 'trying to beat alcohol addiction alone' Popular performer from hit HBO vampire series, 39, passed away on 8 July after suffering kidney failure following . "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 . [9], In Alabama, Ellis attended Jess Lanier High School for a year and transferred to McAdory High School. It's not hurting me. True Blood also earned him the Ewwy Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. Nelsan will be dearly missed by his fans and all of us at HBO.. 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. Official Sites. Nelsan, however, was a loving father who posted a picture of his son, Breon Ellis, having fun on his ATV in April. 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. He will be missed. Pennington), Other Works The pilot was shot in the early summer of 2007 and was officially ordered to series in August. Ellis died after complications from heart failure on July 8 . Quelques jours aprs la mort de Nelsan Ellis, inoubliable Lafayette Reynolds dans True Blood, sa famille a rvl les circonstances de son dcs. True Blood 's Nelsan Ellis, who died at the age of 39, is being remembered by friends and former co-stars. Nelsan Ellis, most famous for his long-running role as Lafayette Reynolds, the most fabulous queer line cook on the planet, on HBO's True Blood, has died at the age of 39. An untimely demise of a brilliant actor. He had a net worth of about $3 million at the time of his death. His mother's name was Jackie Ellis and his father's name was Tommie Lee Thompson. He also has two children, a son and a newborn daughter. Actor Nelsan Ellis has died at age 39. pic.twitter.com/If17csduHz. In mid-2007, Ellis was cast as Lafayette Reynolds in the pilot for True Blood, as a short-order cook at Merlotte's Bar & Grill, a drug dealer, a member of Jason Stackhouse's road crew, and Tara Thornton's cousin. 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. [18] Nelsan Ellis said that it took him a few episodes to find the character. He had eight siblings: Alice Nellis, Babon Ellis, Lakeeia Thomson, Maurice Turne, Shaentika Beard, Tianna Thompson, Tommie Lee Thompson, and Yvonne Ellis. He had been reluctant to talk to anyone about his addiction because of his sense of shame. He followed this up with guest roles in Veronica Mars and Without a Trace, both in 2007. The most intriguing thing about him is his strength and his stillness. If you watch Lafayette, he doesnt do very much. He was also part of the renowned series Elementary where he portrayed different characters as a guest. The show premiered on September 7, 2008, and ended on August 24, 2014. Nelsan also appeared in several feature films, including The Express: The Ernie Davis Story (2008), The Soloist (2009), and Secretariat (2010). He had eight siblings: Alice Nellis, Babon Ellis, Lakeeia Thomson, Maurice Turne, Shaentika Beard, Tianna Thompson, Tommie Lee Thompson, and Yvonne Ellis. Aos seis anos, aps o divrcio de seus pais, Ellis e sua me mudaram-se para o Alabama. 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 . In the years that followed, he appeared in a number of guest and recurring roles. He appeared in the 2012 political thriller drama The Reluctant Fundamentalist alongside Riz Ahmed and Kate Hudson. In 1997 he graduated from Thornridge High School in Dolton, Illinois. Required fields are marked *. Many made assumptions about his sexuality and personal affairs because of his character on the show. Rest in Peace. He portrayed Eddie Sweat in the Disney sports drama Secretariat (2010), was Martin Luther King Jr. in Lee Daniels' The Butler (2013), and was Bobby Byrd in the 2014 James Brown biopic Get on Up. [30], From 2016 to 2017, Ellis starred as Shinwell Johnson in the TV series Elementary. Nelsan was born on November 30, 1977, in Harvey, Illinois, the son of Jackie Ellis and Tommie Lee Thompson. RIP pic.twitter.com/fvtquhIac7, It was an utter privilege to work with the phenomenally talented and deeply kind soul . Nelsan Ellis (30 de novembro de 1977 - 8 de julho de 2017 [1]) foi um ator e dramaturgo americano, mais conhecido por interpretar Lafayette Reynolds na srie da HBO True Blood. My heart breaks for his kids and family." Born in . 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. I felt like an alien, and I struggled the first couple of years. Hes just in that Southern way sort of sauntering along, being who he is, which is something I never intended. From 2016 to 2017, Ellis starred as Shinwell Johnson in the TV series Elementary. Magazines, Digital Ellis' "The Help" costar Octavia Spencer broke the news on Instagram Saturday morning, saying, "Just got word that we lost (Nelsan). Reuters/Eric Thayer . If two women want to get married they should get married. Remembering Chicago actor Nelsan Ellis, who died July 8. He also appeared in Veronica Mars and Without a Trace in guest roles. Ellis struggled with alcoholism and was trying to get rid of his drinking problem in the days before his death. So kee pic.twitter.com/ANxt9JsIq9, Nelsan Ellis (@officialnelsan) April 13, 2017. Moved from Alabama to New York to attend the prestigious acting program at Juilliard. Nelsan Ellis, the actor who lit up the screen on HBO's vampire drama "True Blood," has died at age 39. In a 2010 interview with Vibe, Ellis described how the character was likable. I think anybody should--I mean--I have my religious views, but I don't choose to oppress them on anybody. [2] [3] Biografia. He also appeared in The Butler, an American historical drama film, where he played the role of Martin Luther King, Jr. In 2015, Ellis appeared in the thriller film The Stanford Prison Experiment as Jesse Fletcher. Breon is one of two kids that Nelsan shared with his wife. Nelsan Ellis Cause of Death: How Did the True Blood Actor Die? He graduated in 1997 from this school in Dolton, Illinois. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital Despite coming from a broken family, Ellis excelled in school. His final work appeared in True to the Game and Roxanne Roxanne. #RIPNelsanEllis. He was born to parents, Jackie Ellis and Tommie Lee Thompson who later got divorced. In the same year, Ellis won the Brink of Fame award for up-and-coming actors at the NewNowNext Awards. Hands to the Sky, Catch Them & They're Yours. He had a turbulent childhood; at one point during his teen years . Nelsan Ellis' True Blood family is particularly shaken by news of the actor's death. He didn't "meet" a book until he was a first-grader in a small-town Alabama classroom. 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 . Ellis died of heart failure caused by alcohol withdrawal on July 8, 2017 in Brooklyn, New York. [24], Ellis also performed in several feature films; his early roles include The Express: The Ernie Davis Story (2008) and The Soloist (2009). 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. My heart breaks for his kids and family." Ellis' TV credits include the Fox series "The Inside," UPN's "Veronica Mars" and the HBO film "Warm Springs" with Kenneth Branagh, Cynthia Nixon and. He said "you don't want to bring in someone who's going to play that in a phony way". Paul Kasey. My heart breaks for his kids and family," she wrote in an Instagram post. Would love your thoughts, please comment. We were extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Nelsan Ellis, HBO said in a statement. Michael Kelly. Nelsan Ellis was well-known for his portrayal of Lafayette Reynolds in the HBO television series True Blood (20082014). He was a wonderful person, a pioneer, and a one of a kind artist. Now Nelsan Ellis, the actor who plays Kent's gay lover on the show, is speaking up -- and he's not happy. Furthermore, while at Juilliard, he wrote Ugly, a semi-autobiographical play. How much is the Net Worth of Nelsan Ellis? HBO released the following statement after hearing of Ellis passing. ", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nelsan_Ellis&oldid=1133624097, This page was last edited on 14 January 2023, at 19:02. His parents got divorced and Ellis was raised by his single mother along with his siblings. The cause of death is thought to be an ongoing battle with drug and alcohol abuse. Nelsan Ellis, known affectionately by many for his role as Lafayette Reynolds on HBO 's True Blood, has died after complications from heart failure at age 39. Nelsan was ashamed of his. Ellis also had roles in films like Get on Up, The Help and Little Boxes. Among two kids one is a son, Breon Ellis and another a daughter, . [12] Following this, Ellis attended Illinois State University. Ellis' manager, Emily Gerson. Nelsan Ellis was an award-winning American film and television actor and playwright, perhaps best known as Lafayette Reynolds on HBO's. Nelsan has always wanted to be an actor. He had $3 million net worth before death. He is also survived by his siblings Lakeeia Thomson, Tommie Lee. Whos Wife? 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). Alabama, Ellis and Tommie Lee Thompson who later got divorced and Ellis was married to a then... To work with the phenomenally talented and deeply kind soul who somehow got stuck in the thriller film the Prison... The television film Warm Springs as Roy Collier ( November 30, 1977 July 8 by his son Breon! In Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2004 wrote in an Instagram post trying to get to. To be an ongoing battle with drug and alcohol abuse an award-winning American and. 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