On Thursday (Dec. 10), shockingly sad news broke that actor Tommy Lister passed away at the age of 62 years old.
TMZ was first to report this news. According to the publication, “Law enforcement sources tell us they got a call to the actor’s Marina Del Rey apartment Thursday, just before 3 PM, for an unconscious male.” The site continued, “Our sources say Tommy was not transported to the hospital, as he was pronounced dead on the scene.”
The outlet added that the cause of Lister’s death has yet to be revealed. However, at the time of this article, the coroner was still at his residence examining his passing.
Lister acted in a number of different movies throughout his career, but he’s mostly known for his iconic role as Deebo in Friday and its sequel, Next Friday. In those films, he played a bully. However, many who met Lister is real life said that he was the complete opposite.
The 6’5 actor — ironically his nickname was “Tiny” — was said to be a gentle soul. “Along with acting, Tommy had 2 short pro wrestling stints, and starred alongside Hulk Hogan — as the bad guy, Zeus, of course — in the 1989 film, ‘No Holds Barred,’” TMZ reports.
Lister also appeared in other movies such as The Fifth Element, The Dark Knight, and voiced a character in the animated film Zootopia.
This is the second celebrity death that broke this week. Just a couple of days ago, it was revealed that B.A.P.S. actress Natalie Desselle-Reid died at the age of 52 after losing her battle with colon cancer.
“It is with extremely heavy hearts that we share the loss of our beautiful Natalie this morning,” read an official statement from her family at the time. “She was a bright light in this world. A queen. An extraordinary mother and wife.”
Rest in peace, Deebo.