August 19, 2013
Obituaries

Lee Thompson Young, Rizzoli and Isles Co-Star

Young first rose to fame as the star of the Disney Channel series The Famous Jett Jackson.

Lee Thompson Young, an actor who most recently was a co-star of the TNT drama RIzzoli & Isles, was found dead at his home in North Hollywood, California, on August 19, 2013. He was 29. According to new reports, the cause was an apparent suicide. Young, a native of South Carolina, graduated with honors from the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. He first rose to fame as the star of The Famous Jett Jackson, a Disney Channel comedy that aired from 1998-2001. His other television series included episodes of Philly, The Guardian, Jake 2.0, Kevin Hill, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Scrubs, FlashForward, Smallville, The Event and CSI: New York, and he was a series regular on the 2006 series South Beach. His made-for-television movies included Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story and Five Year Plan. Young also appeared in the feature films Friday Night Lights, Akeelah and the Bee and The Hills Have Eyes II. On Rizzoli & Isles, which debuted in 2010 and is now in its fourth season, Young palyed Detective Barry Frost. On news of his passing, TNT, Warner Bros. and Rizzoli & Isles showrunner Janet Tamaro issued this statement: "Everyone at Rizzoli & Isles is devastated by the news of the passing of Lee Thompson Young. We are beyond heartbroken at the loss of this sweet, gentle, good-hearted, intelligent man. He was truly a member of our family. Lee will be cherished and remembered by all who knew and loved him, both on- and offscreen, for his positive energy, infectious smile and soulful grace. We send our deepest condolences and thoughts to his family, to his friends and, most especially, to his beloved mother." Young's manager Jonathan Baruch also released a statement: "It is with great sadness that I announce that Lee Thompson Young tragically took his own life this morning … Lee was more than just a brilliant young actor, he was a wonderful and gentle soul who will be truly missed." More information is available at: Hollywood Reporter

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