Rizzoli & Isles production halted after Lee Thompson Young's death
Production on police drama Rizzoli & Isles has been put on hold following the apparent suicide of actor Lee Thompson Young.
Police discovered the 29 year old's body at his apartment in Los Angeles on Monday (19Aug13) morning, and in a statement his manager confirmed that the former Disney star took his own life.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, TV bosses shut down production on
Rizzoli & Isles; it is unknown how long the suspension will last,
according to TheWrap.com.
Young's manager Jonathan Baruch has paid tribute to his longtime
client, who shot to fame in Disney's The Famous Jett Jackson,
writing, "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."
Young had a key role as detective Barry Frost on Rizzoli & Isles,
alongside Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander. The show was recently
renewed for a fifth series.
Joining Baruch in paying tribute to the tragic young star,
Gabrielle Union, new dad Donald Faison and Solange Knowles took to
Twitter.com on Monday to mourn his passing.
Union wrote, "I had the pleasure of working w/ #LeeThompsonYoung on
Flash Forward & he was an extremely talented beautiful soul. My
thoughts & prayers are with his loved ones," while Faison added,
"This breaks my heart. RIP Lee Thompson Young."
Glee star Harry Shum, Jr. also offered up his thoughts, posting,
"Feeling incredibly sad about Lee Thompson Young. My heart goes out
to his family and friends," and his Glee co-star Amber Riley added,
"Man...RIP #LeeThompsonYoung #Jett Jackson...Everything that
glitters isn't gold. You just never know, that just tore me up a
little. Man."
Solange tweeted, "Very very sad to hear about Lee Thompson Young.
He was always very kind, and such a light," and even filmmaker Wes
Craven paid his respects, adding, "My sympathy to the family of Lee
Thompson Young and to all those who knew and loved him...I had the
pleasure of working with him in 2007 on Hills Have Eyes 2. He was a
pro, gifted and warm. The tragedy of this kind of loss is
particularly bewildering and painful."