REST IN PEACE NELSAN ELLIS

Nelsan Ellis, who played sassy short-order cook Lafayette Reynolds on HBO's True Blood, has died at 39 of complications from heart failure.

His manager, Emily Gerson Saines, confirmed his death on Saturday to USA TODAY. 

"He was a great talent, and his words and presence will be forever missed," she said in a statement.

While he also had roles on CBS' Elementary and worked in films like The Help, Secretariat, the James Brown biopic Get On and The Soloist, to fans of True Blood, he will always be Lafayette.

The Illinois-born actor so impressed the producers and fans of the HBO supernatural drama with his performance that the TV version of Lafayette escaped the early death the character was dealt in Charlaine Harris' books. 

"A great talent gone too soon," Harris lamented on Twitter. "Such a shock."

Alan Ball, who adapted her novels, and directed many episodes of the show, said in a statement, "Nelsan was a singular talent whose creativity never ceased to amaze me. Working with him was a privilege."

True Blood marked Ellis' second HBO project. He also appeared in 2005's Emmy-winning Warm Springs, in which his character tended to the polio-stricken Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Kenneth Branagh). 

The network issued a statement noting, "Nelsan was a long-time member of the HBO family whose groundbreaking portrayal of Lafayette will be remembered fondly within the overall legacy of True Blood. Nelsan will be dearly missed by his fans and all of us at HBO."

The True Blood family mourned him on Twitter Saturday.

"It was an utter privilege to work with the phenomenally talented and deeply kind soul .@OfficialNelsan," wrote Anna Paquin, whose waitress character, Sookie Stackhouse, was close with Ellis' cook. "I'm devastated by his untimely death."

FRIENDS & FAMILY ATTEND GEORGE MICHAEL'S FUNERAL AS HE IS FINALLY BURIED

Friends and family attended a small, private ceremony as George Michael’s funeral has finally taken place.

The beloved Wham! singer and gay artist died on Christmas Day last year.

He was 53.

A statement from his publicist: ‘We can confirm that the funeral of the singer George Michael took place today.

‘Family and close friends gathered for the small, private ceremony to say goodbye to their beloved son, brother and friend.

‘George Michael’s family would like to thank his fans across the world for their many messages of love and support.’

The gay star sold more than 100 million albums with his group and as a solo artist, becoming known for songs like Careless Whisper, Faith, and Last Christmas.

Stories of Michael’s generosity emerged after his death, including donating a lot of money to charities like Childline, Terrence Higgins Trust and National AIDS Trust.

SOURCE: GAY STAR NEWS

REST IN PEACE MARY TYLER MOORE

REST IN PEACE CARRIE FISHER

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!

REST IN PEACE GEORGE MICHAEL

REST IN PEACE MUHAMMAD ALI

GREATEST OF ALL TIME!

REST IN PEACE PRINCE

REST IN PEACE DAVID

REST IN PEACE NATALIE COLE

YOU ARE TRULY UNFORGETTABLE 

REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND

Live as though you were on the verge of death, because you are. Don’t waste a moment of life trying to make other things happen; appreciate the moments you are given. 

REST IN PEACE WES CRAVEN

THANK YOU FOR THE SCARES.

REST IN PEACE JOAN RIVERS

REST IN PEACE ROBIN WILLIAMS

THANKS FOR THE LAUGHS

REST IN PEACE MAYA ANGELOU

WINSTON-SALEM — Maya Angelou, writer of the classic autobiography "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" has died. She was 86.

Her death comes days after canceling her appearance at the Major League Baseball Beacon Awards luncheon, where she was to be honored.

We're told she was found unresponsive inside her Winston-Salem home.

Angelou was a renowned poet, historian and civil rights advocate. As an actress and screen writer, she was hailed as a trailblazer. Her script for the film Georgia was the first ever by an African American woman. It was also nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.

Memorial arrangements for Angelou have not yet been released.

REST IN PEACE QUENTIN ELIAS

REST IN PEACE PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN

NEW YORK (AP) — The family of Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman says his death is "a tragic and sudden loss."

The 46-year-old actor was found dead Sunday in his New York City apartment.

"We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Phil and appreciate the outpouring of love and support we have received from everyone," the statement reads. "This is a tragic and sudden loss and we ask that you respect our privacy during this time of grieving. Please keep Phil in your thoughts and prayers."

More: Celebs react to Hoffman's passing | Hoffman's life in photos

Hoffman made his career mostly as a character actor, and he was one of the most prolific in the business.

The stage-trained actor's rumpled naturalism made him one of the most admired performers of his generation. He was nominated for Academy Awards four times and won the Oscar for best actor in 2006 for his portrayal of writer Truman Capote in "Capote."

He leaves behind his partner of 15 years, Mimi O'Donnell, and their three children.

SOURCE: MSN ENTERTAINMENT

REST IN PEACE JAMES AVERY

NEW YORK (AP) — James Avery, the bulky character actor who laid down the law at home and on the job as the Honorable Philip Banks in "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," has died.

Avery's publicist, Cynthia Snyder, told The Associated Press that Avery died Tuesday in Glendale, Calif., following complications from open heart surgery. He was 68, Snyder said.

Avery, who stood more than 6 feet tall, played the family patriarch and a wealthy attorney and judge on the popular TV comedy that launched the acting career of Will Smith as Banks' troublemaking nephew.

The sitcom, which aired on NBC from 1990 to 1996, was set in the Banks' mansion, to which Smith's character was sent from Philadelphia when things got tough in his own neighborhood. Fans came to know the imposing Banks as "Uncle Phil."

Avery liked to say that the way to be an actor was to act, and he had a busy and diverse career before, during and after "Fresh Prince." His TV credits included "Grey's Anatomy," ''NYPD Blue" and "Dallas," and among his many films were "Fletch," ''Nightflyers" and "8 Million Ways to Die." His voice alone brought him many jobs, notably as Shredder in the animated TV series "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles."

According to Snyder, he will be seen in the film "Wish I Was Here," directed by Zach Braff and scheduled to premiere later this month at the Sundance festival.

Avery grew up in Atlantic City, N.J., and served in the Navy in Vietnam in the late 1960s. After returning to the states, he settled in California and studied drama and literature at the University of California at San Diego.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara, and stepson Kevin Waters.

SOURCE: AP

REST IN PEACE NELSON MANDELA

Father, Teacher, Leader, Humanitarian, Activist and Freedom Fighter, are just some of the names and titles that can be aptly used to describe Nelson Mandela. RIP, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, you were an exemplary human being who left an indelible mark. South Africa was your home but you impacted us all.

REST IN PEACE PAUL WALKER

TMZ reports that Walker was in a Porsche Carrera GT when the driver somehow lost control of the vehicle. It then slammed into either a post or a tree and then burst into flames and exploded.

It is not yet known what caused the driver to lose control, but the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said that the crash happened around 3:30 p.m. in the 28300 clock of Rye Canyon Loop.

Walker's other credits include “Varsity Blues,” "Into the Blue," “Flags of Our Fathers” and “Takers.” He is survived by his 15-year-old daughter, Meadow.

UPDATE (Dec. 1, 8:45 a.m. EST): Although it's unclear what caused the accident, authorities have said speed appears to have played a major factor.

UPDATE (Dec. 1, 11:00 a.m. EST): The driver in the fatal crash that killed Paul Walker has reportedly been identified as 38-year-old Roger Rodas. According to local reports, Rodas was the CEO of automotive company Always Evolving, and the pair was in his 2005 Porsche Carrera GT when he lost control of the car and struck a tree. Walker, a car aficionado, was allegedly one of Always Evolving’s owners, and Rodas himself was a former race car driver.

According to TMZ, Walker and Rodas' bodies were burned so badly in the crash that they're currently unidentifiable and their autopsies will be delayed until later this week. A rep for the L.A. County Coroner tells TMZ that the coroner is waiting on both sets of dental records before proceeding.

SOURCE: HUFFINPOST

REST IN PEACE JAMES GANDOLFINI

James Gandolfini, the three-time Emmy-winning actor who played mob boss Tony Soprano on HBO's hit series The Sopranos, died on Wednesday in Italy at age 51. 

The actor suffered a possible heart attack while traveling in Rome, a rep for HBO says. Gandolfini had been scheduled to take part in the Taormina Film Fest in Sicily. 

"We're all in shock and feeling immeasurable sadness at the loss of a beloved member of our family," HBO says in a statement. "He was special man, a great talent, but more importantly a gentle and loving person who treated everyone no matter their title or position with equal respect. 

"He touched so many of us over the years with his humor, his warmth and his humility," the statement continues. "Our hearts go out to his wife and children during this terrible time. He will be deeply missed by all of us."

PHOTOS:Tributes: The Stars We've Lost in 2013

Born in Westwood, N.J., Gandolfini graduated from Park Ridge High School, where he played basketball and participated in school plays, and went on to study communications at Rutgers University. 

He kicked off his acting career in 1987 in Shock! Shock! Shock! and then appeared in the Melanie Griffith-starring A Stranger Among Us – as well as notably starring in 1993's True Romance as Virgil, a mob-enforcer. 

After several mob-related roles over the years, Gandolfini got his big break in 1999 starring in The Sopranos.

James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano

Anthony Neste / / Time Life Pictures / Getty

As a New Jersey-based mobster with a wife and children, the show centered around Tony Soprano's juggling of his home life while leading his criminal organization. 

Tony was a complicated, conflicted character, kind one moment, a violent sociopath the next, while also struggling with depression. 

"He was a genius," said Sopranos creator David Chase. "Anyone who saw him even in the smallest of his performances knows that. He is one of the greatest actors of this or any time. A great deal of that genius resided in those sad eyes." 

Chase added: "He wasn't easy sometimes. But he was my partner, he was my brother in ways I can't explain and never will be able to explain." 

Gandolfini had a wide-ranging film career, appearing in Zero Dark Thirty,Get Shorty and The Mexican.

His most recent movie was The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, which also starred Steve Carell, Olivia Wilde and Jim Carrey. 

"James Gandolfini was a kind, funny, wonderful guy," Wilde Tweeted. "I'm so lucky to have worked with him. Sending love to his family. Such a sad, sad day." 

Gandolfini is survived by his wife Deborah Lin, their 8-month-old daughter Liliana, and son Michael, 13, from a previous marriage.