Monday 10 July 2017

'True Blood' Actor Nelsan Ellis Dies At 39

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'True Blood' Actor Nelsan Ellis Dies At 39

July 10, 201712:50 PM ET 
Amy Held
Nelsan Ellis, photographed in 2014, died at the age of 39 from "complications with heart failure," according to his manager.
Vera Anderson/WireImage/Getty Images
Updated 6 p.m. ET

Nelsan Ellis, the actor who brought to life the flamboyant character of Lafayette Reynolds on HBO's True Blood, has died at the age of 39.

Ellis' manager, Emily Gerson Saines, confirmed the death, telling The Hollywood Reporter that he died "after complications with heart failure. He was a great talent, and his words and presence will be forever missed."

Saines also said Ellis' body was damaged after years of drug and alcohol abuse. She said his father agreed to make it public that, after participating in several anti-addiction programs, Ellis 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. ... Nelsan was a gentle, generous and kind soul. ... 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."
In a statement, HBO said, "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."

Ellis did not have a lead role in the series. But his portrayal of the gay short-order cook who deals in blood was so popular among fans that even though the character was killed off in the book version of the vampire drama, he was kept on for all seven seasons of the show, Rolling Stone reports.

I've been looking for pictures of our #trueblood family that I feel truly represent how important and loved Nelsan was to us all both creatively and as a human and I literally can't find one where he is front and center or in any way claiming the spotlight he deserved and belonged in. But that's because that beautiful, gifted man was also the most humble artist I've ever had the pleasure of knowing or working with. Nelsan inhabited characters that bore no resemblance to himself in a way that put him in that tiny category of true virtuoso performer. His ability to transcend and channel anything and everything thrown at him was inspiring and beautiful to watch. Sookie and Lafayette had some crazy adventures both emotionally and sometimes physically demanding and intimidating to me as a performer. But I always knew I was completely safe with Nelsan because he would never let me fall. He made me a better actor by raising the bar absurdly high but always extending a hand to help his scene partners clear it. #trueblood was a real family, cast and crew. 7 years of intense bonding and subsequent years in which, regardless of distance and schedules, the love has remained and the gratitude for how rare and special those relationships are has only grown. I can't even imagine how much pain Nelsan's son and family are in right now. They are in my heart and thoughts all the time. I assumed Nelsan was going to be in my life forever and this has been a shocking reminder of how fragile life is. I've never been very good at telling people to their faces how much they mean to me and I can be very "all business" on set, but I hope that wherever Nelsan is now he knows how much I loved him. I will always cherish those incredible seven years I got to spend with him on the strange and wonderful journey that was True Blood. #ripnelsanellis #trueblood #truelove #truefamily
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And yet the Juilliard-trained Ellis initially struggled to bring to life the character of Reynolds, according to Vibe magazine.

"The most intriguing thing about him is his strength and his stillness," Ellis told the magazine in a 2010 interview. "He's not quick on his toes unless he gets heated. He's just in that Southern way — sort of sauntering along, being who he is."

When asked whether he had heard feedback from the gay community, Ellis told the magazine, "Only in that they haven't seen a dude like that before. And he's not a stereotype."

Production of True Blood ended in 2014, but tributes from Ellis' castmates poured forth on social media over the weekend.

"(T)hat beautiful, gifted man was also the most humble artist I've ever had the pleasure of knowing or working with," True Blood co-star Anna Paquin posted on Instagram. "Nelsan inhabited characters that bore no resemblance to himself in a way that put him in that tiny category of true virtuoso performer."

And Joe Manganiello posted to Twitter, "Crushed today by the loss of my friend and castmate Nelsan Ellis. He was a wonderful person, a pioneer, and a one of a kind artist. RIP."

Most recently, Ellis had a recurring role in the CBS series Elementary, playing a former drug dealer.

He also appeared in numerous films, including Get On Up, The Help and Lee Daniels' The Butler.

Ellis spent part of his early years in a poor suburb of Birmingham, Ala., where his mother was shot, The Chicago Sun Times reports. As a teen, he moved to the outskirts of Chicago, where he discovered acting at Thornridge High School.

"I had no intention of being an actor," Ellis told the newspaper in 2008. "It was my first experience being at a school where you had teenage black men who were serious about stuff, and you had these teachers who cared about the students and paid attention ... My years at Thornridge probably changed the course of my life."

The Hollywood Reporter says Ellis leaves behind a son.

Saturday 8 July 2017

'True Blood' Actor Nelsan Ellis Died of Heart Failure From Alcohol Addiction

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'True Blood' Actor Nelsan Ellis Died of Heart Failure From Alcohol Addiction

"Nelsan was ashamed of his addiction ... But in death he would want his life to serve as a cautionary tale in an attempt to help others," family says

By Daniel Kreps
July 8, 2017



Nelsan Ellis, the actor who portrayed Lafayette on all seven seasons of the HBO horror-drama series True Blood, has died at the age of 39.

"Nelsan has passed away after complications with heart failure," the actor's manager Emily Gerson Saines, told the Hollywood Reporter. "He was a great talent, and his words and presence will be forever missed."

Days after Ellis' passing, the actor's family issued a statement about his long struggle with drugs and alcohol, per The Hollywood Reporter"After many stints in rehab, Nelsan attempted to withdraw from alcohol on his own," read the family's statement. During Ellis' withdrawal from alcohol, he suffered from a blood infection causing his kidneys to shut down and blood pressure to drop. The actor spent four days in Woodhull Hospital before he died.

"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."

"We were extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Nelsan Ellis," HBO said in a statement. "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."

True Blood creator Alan Ball added, "Nelsan was a singular talent whose creativity never ceased to amaze me. Working with him was a privilege."

A graduate of Julliard, Ellis' first major role was as Lafayette Reynolds, a short order cook and vampire blood dealer on the hit HBO series. Ellis' portrayal of the character was so beloved by True Blood fans that even though Lafayette was killed off early in the Sookie Stackhouse book series, the character lasted the entirety of the show.



"It was an utter privilege to work with the phenomenally talented and deeply kind soul. I'm devastated by his untimely death," Ellis' True Blood co-star Anna Paquin tweeted.

In addition to True Blood, Ellis appeared Lee Daniels' The Butler (as Martin Luther King, Jr.), Secretariat, The Help, The Stanford Prison Experiment and as singer Bobby Byrd in the James Brown biopic Get On Up. Most recently, Ellis had a reoccurring role in the CBS detective series Elementary.

Actress Octavis Spencer wrote on social media Saturday, "Just got word that we lost [Ellis]. My heart breaks for his kids and family."






‘True Blood’ Stars Mourn the Sudden Death of Nelsan Ellis: ‘This Is Just Completely Tragic’

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‘True Blood’ Stars Mourn the Sudden Death of Nelsan Ellis: ‘This Is Just Completely Tragic’


Staff Editor

July 8, 2017 | 03:10PM PT


Hollywood was shocked on Saturday when news broke that iconic actor Nelsan Ellis had died at just 39 years old. While the actor had a prolific résumé, his career was undoubtedly defined by his role as Lafayette Reynolds on HBO’s “True Blood.”

Following his death after complications from heart failure, HBO and “True Blood” creator and executive producer Alan Ball each issued statements regarding Ellis’ sudden passing.

“We were extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Nelsan Ellis,” wrote HBO. “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.”

Ball echoed the network’s sentiments, adding, “Nelsan was a singular talent whose creativity never ceased to amaze me. Working with him was a privilege.”

Once the initial shock of his death wore off, Ellis’ “True Blood”castmates began mourning their friend on social media. Series leads Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Joe Manganiello, and Carrie Preston took to Twitter to voice their heartbreak.

























However, it wasn’t just former “True Blood” stars who were saddened by the loss of Ellis. Many other actors like Jessica Chastain, Chadwick Boseman, and Sterling K. Brown joined the chorus of voices singing the actor’s prematurely-cut praises.



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Additionally, Ellis’ “The Help” costar Octavia Spencer was actually the first person to address his passing on Instagram.



Ellis is survived by his grandmother, his father, and his son, Breon, as well as seven siblings. In lieu of flowers, his family asks that donations be made to Jenesse.org or RestoreMinistriesChurch.org.

‘True Blood’ Star Nelsan Ellis Dies at 39

[Source]

‘True Blood’ Star Nelsan Ellis Dies at 39


Staff Editor

July 8, 2017 | 12:08PM PT

UPDATED: Nelsan Ellis, famous for his role as Lafayette Reynolds on HBO’s “True Blood,” has died of complications from heart failure. He was 39.

His family later issued a statement attributing the heart failure to complications of longtime alcohol and drug abuse.

“We were extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Nelsan Ellis,” HBO said in a statement. “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.”

Related
‘True Blood’ Stars Mourn the Sudden
Death of Nelsan Ellis: ‘This Is Just
Completely Tragic’
 
“True Blood” creator and executive producer Alan Ball echoed HBO’s epitaph in a statement of his own. “Nelsan was a singular talent whose creativity never ceased to amaze me,” said Ball. “Working with him was a privilege.”

Ellis’ “The Help” costar Octavia Spencer broke the news on Instagram Saturday morning, saying, “Just got word that we lost (Nelsan). My heart breaks for his kids and family.”

Born in Harvey, Ill. in 1977, he and his siblings were moved to Alabama to live with their aunt before Ellis decided to move back to Chicago at age 15. At 17, he joined the Marines, but quit shortly after. After studying at Illinois State University, Ellis went on to get his B.F.A. from Julliard, where he happened to be a class above his eventual “True Blood” costar, Rutina Wesley.

“The studies were so intense and the institution is so white, and I’m a black man from the South with a very specific vernacular and palate,” he recalled to Backstage in 2009. “I felt like an alien, and I struggled the first couple of years. But it transformed who I am as an actor and a person.”

After a single season on Fox’s “The Inside” opposite Rachel Nichols and Adam Baldwin and an episode of “Veronica Mars,” Ellis was then cast in the role that would define his career — gay short order cook Lafayette Reynolds.

“I have more makeup on than any of the females in the (True Blood) cast,” Ellis once famously noted to the Philadelphia Inquirer. “Once they get me with the fake eyelashes and the eye makeup, I listen to some Rihanna and I’m there.”

After 80 episodes over the span of seven seasons, Ellis walked away with a handful of awards: Two Satellite Awards, an Ewwy for best supporting dramatic actor, and a NewNowNext Award for actor on the brink of fame.

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.” Most recently, the actor could be seen in a lead role on CBS’ “Elementary,” including the just-wrapped fifth season.

“Crushed today by the loss of my friend and castmate Nelsan Ellis,” said “True Blood” costar Joe Manganiello. “He was a wonderful person, a pioneer, and a one of a kind artist. RIP.”

Ellis is survived by his grandmother, his father, and his son, Breon, as well as seven siblings.

Thursday 3 November 2016

Newly Revealed Photos Illuminate The Life, Death & Legacy of Freddie Mercury

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Newly Revealed Photos Illuminate The Life, Death & Legacy of Freddie Mercury


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Freddie Mercury, Rio de Janeiro, 1985 Photo Credit: Richard Young
Freddie Mercury is back in the headlines this month with a new and revealing book, Somebody to Love: The Life, Death & Legacy of Freddie Mercury. This examination of the singer’s complex emotional life will be published November 22 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the legendary rock star’s death. He would have been seventy this year had he not died due to complications from AIDS, well before HIV was so easily treated.
Published by Weldon Owen, the book shines light on the rock (and gay) icon’s public flamboyance while illuminating his personal quest for meaningful relationships. Authors Mark Langhorne and Matt Richards take a “fresh look at both Mercury’s and Queen’s rise then fall then rise again in musical history.” Richards was fortunate to see Queen live at Wembley Stadium in 1986 on the Magic tour, their final tour with the original Queen line-up, a concert that he says will live with him forever.
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Somebody to Love includes an interview with John Reid, who served as both Elton John and then Queen’s manager in 1975. Reid was gay himself and immediately suspected Freddie was on his team, but those around Mercury insisted he wasn’t and in a relationship with Mary Austin.
When Reid took Mercury out to dinner in Fulham Road to introduce himself as the band’s new manager he told Freddie that he was gay himself and hoped this wouldn’t affect the band’s attitude to him.
“So am I, Dear, we’ll get on swimmingly,” Freddie responded.
The book also shares details about when Freddie tested HIV positive, and how he covered up his illness by lying to his closest friends–including Peter Starker and Paul Gambaccini.
Queerty obtained an exclusive sampling of rare or never-seen photographs shared by those closest to this totally unique and talented performer.

Freddie Mercury Backstage, Queen ‘Breakthru’ Video Shoot, Nene Valley, 1989, Courtesy Richard Young
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Peter Straker & Freddie at Mixing desk, Wessex Studio, Courtesy Wendy Allison
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Mary & Freddie in Peter Straker’s Dressing Room, Courtesy Wendy Allison
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Freddie Mercury Backstage, Barcelona, 1988, Photo Credit: Richard Young
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Freddie & Mary Austin, Photo Courtesy of Wendy Allison
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Freddie & Roy Thomas-Baker at Sarm East Studio, Photo Courtesy of Wendy Allison
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Somebody to Love: The Life, Death & Legacy of Freddie Mercury is now available

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On:           Nov 3, 2016

Tuesday 17 May 2016

Looking Movie

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Looking Movie Gets HBO Debut Date

Photo Courtesy of HBO



At last! The Looking movie will premiere on HBO on Saturday, July 23, at 10 PM.
HBO explains:
Starring Jonathan Groff, Frankie J. Alvarez and Murray Bartlett, Looking: The Movie wraps up the story of three close friends living in San Francisco who explore the options available to a new generation of gay men seeking fulfillment in love and life. In the film, Patrick (Groff) returns to the city for the first time in almost a year to celebrate a momentous event with his old friends. In the process, he must face the unresolved relationships he left behind and make difficult choices about what’s important to him.
Alright, who’s ready to cry with us?