Nelsan Ellis of ‘True Blood’ Dead at 39
Aw, s**t, hookah. Nelsan Ellis, who played Lafayette Reynolds on HBO’s True Blood and most recently played Shinwell Johnson in a lead role on Elementary, died after complications from heart failure at the age of 39. There’s no news on what lead to the heart failure.
A statement released by HBO read, “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.”
His True Blood co-stars are heartbroken to say the least.
It was an utter privilege to work with the phenomenally talented and deeply kind soul .@OfficialNelsan I'm devastated by his untimely death. pic.twitter.com/If17csduHz
— Anna Paquin (@AnnaPaquin) July 8, 2017
I don't know if I've ever seen the level of humility and kindness that came with the Magnificent Talent that Nelsan Ellis had. Miss u friend
— Sam Trammell (@SamTrammell) July 8, 2017
Nelsan Ellis was truly remarkable. A brilliant, charismatic, intelligent, soulful, wonderful dude. this is just completely tragic.
— Stephen Moyer (@smoyer) July 8, 2017
Very disturbed and sad that Nelsan Ellis has died. Such a huge talent. Such a wonderful man. The world is a poorer place today…
— Denis O'Hare (@denisohare) July 8, 2017
Dearest #NelsanEllis , may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest, you phenomenally talented genius…. pic.twitter.com/2OamZvBVNe
— Carrie Preston (@carriepreston) July 8, 2017
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 pic.twitter.com/fvtquhIac7
— JOE MANGANIELLO (@JoeManganiello) July 8, 2017
One of the sweetest most talented men I've ever met. A terrible loss for all of us. Rest In… https://t.co/PgiUMuVzaZ
— Kristin Bauer (@IamKristinBauer) July 8, 2017
Heartbreaking. https://t.co/LuDtfxBUJB
— Deborah Ann Woll (@DeborahAnnWoll) July 8, 2017
So blessed to share the screen with you you beautiful man. pic.twitter.com/DCD6WLAdJn
— Todd Lowe (@Todd__Lowe) July 8, 2017
Stunned & heart broken about @OfficialNelsan A brilliantly talented & thoughtful actor. His humanity & sense of humor will be remembered.
— Tara Buck (@iamtarabuck) July 8, 2017
Nelsan Ellis, you will truly be missed. Such a great talent gone far too soon. 💔 https://t.co/XLnmDqHGAR
— Charlaine Harris (@RealCharlaine) July 8, 2017
Celebrating my brother @OfficialNelsan. 4Eva linked like Bobby Byrd and JB. We love u. We miss u. RIP. https://t.co/ksDIiMGBOZ pic.twitter.com/2HnFEKBBjh
— Chadwick Boseman (@chadwickboseman) July 8, 2017
It’s safe to say fans will always remember the flair Neslan brought to True Blood.