Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Lee Thompson Young Dead: Disney's 'The Famous Jett Jackson' Star Dies At 29 (UPDATE)


Former Disney star Lee Thompson Young has died at the age of 29, TMZ reports.
The "Famous Jett Jackson" star was found dead by his Los Angeles landlord after his coworkers on the set of TNT's "Rizzoli & Isles" called the landlord when Young failed to show up for work.
A spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed Young's death with TheWrap. The spokeswoman said officers arrived at Young's house after 8 a.m. Monday morning and found him dead.
No further details have been given at this time.
A rep for the actor could not be immediately reached for comment. Contacts at both TNT and Disney were also unavailable for comment.
Young is best known for playing Jett Jackson on the Disney Channel series. He also had roles in "The Guardian," "Friday Night Lights" the film, "Scrubs," "Smallville" and "FlashForward." His most recent role was as Detective Barry Frost in "Rizzoli & Isles."
"Everyone at 'Rizzoli & Isles' is devastated by the news of the passing of Lee Thompson Young," TNT said in a statement to The Huffington Post. "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."
Despite having moved on in his career, the South Carolina native was always happy to be recognized for his work with Disney.
“It’s always a really great feeling when I talk to people who watched Jett Jackson because we were the same age," he told Entertainment Weekly in 2011. "We were all kids. I was 13 when I started working on that show and that was part of my childhood. And It’s kind of like we have that in common. It means a lot to me when people enjoyed it and when it was a part of their childhood. It’s cool when you see people revert back for a quick second to middle school, and they’re like, ‘Oh, man! I remember…’ It’s really great to me that our work is still with people after ten years.”
For more details, head to TMZ.
UPDATE: The actor's longtime manager Jonathan Baruch confirmed to E! News that Young took his own life.
"It is with great sadness that I announce that Lee Thompson Young tragically took his own life this morning," Baruch said in a statement to E! "Lee was more than just a brilliant young actor, he was a wonderful and gentle soul who will be truly missed. We ask that you please respect the privacy of his family and friends at this very difficult time."
The LAPD has not yet released a cause of death.
This story has been modified to include a statement from TNT.

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