Actor Lee Thompson Young of the TNT police procedural drama ‘Rizzoli & Isles’ died of a self inflicted gun shot early Monday morning at his Los Angeles home. He was 29.
When he failed to show up for filming this morning, police were called to do a welfare check at his apartment. A landlord assisting the officer to gain entry was the first to discover the actor’s body.
Young’s manager, Jonathan Baruch confirmed, “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. We ask that you please respect the privacy of his family and friends at this difficult time.”
Janet Tamaro, the executive producer of Rizzoli & Isles’ said, “Everyone at the show is devastated by the news. We are beyond heartbroken at the loss of this sweet, gentle, good hearted, intelligent man. He was truly a member of our family.”
In 1998 Disney gave Young his first big break–casting him in the lead role on the television series ‘The Famous Jett Jackson.’ The series aired for three years and ended with a full length film in 2001, ‘Jett Jackson: The Movie.’
The actor also appeared on ‘Smallville,’ ‘Scrubs,’ ‘CSI: NY’ and in the big screen film ‘Friday Night Lights.’
He is survived by his mother Velma Love, who raised him as a single parent after she divorced his father Tommy Scott Young when Lee was in second grade.
Photo: WENN