Former Disney star Lee Thompson Young died by own hand at 29

Source:Reuters Published: 2013-8-20 18:08:01

Lee Thompson Young Photo:IC

Lee Thompson Young Photo:IC



Former Disney star Lee Thompson Young, best known for his lead role in the 1990s series The Famous Jett Jackson, committed ­suicide in Los Angeles, the actor's manager said on Monday. He was 29.

"It is with great sadness that I announce that Lee Thompson Young tragically took his own life this morning," Young's manager, Jonathan Baruch, said in a statement.

"Lee was more than just a brilliant young actor, he was a wonderful and gentle soul who will be truly missed," Baruch added.

Young was found dead by police at his home in the North Hollywood area of the city early on Monday, after his coworkers on the TNT cable drama series Rizzoli & Isles called authorities to say he had not turned up for work, Los Angeles Police Department ­spokeswoman Sergeant Jerretta Sandoz said.

Young rose to fame as Jett Jackson on the Disney Channel, in a series about a young actor working on a fictional show in North Carolina. The actor most recently starred as Detective Barry Frost on Rizzoli & Isles.

TNT, which is owned by Time Warner Inc, posted a statement on the passing of the actor on Monday in conjunction with Rizzoli & Isles executive producer Janet Tamaro, saying everyone was "devastated" by his death.

"We are beyond heartbroken at the loss of this sweet, gentle, good-hearted, intelligent man," the statement said.

Reuters

Posted in: Film

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