De naam Nelsan Ellis zal weinig mensen wat zeggen, maar als je zeg Lafayette uit True Blood dan weten fans gelijk wie dit is. Helaas is deze acteur op 39 jarige leeftijd overleden aan de gevolgen van hartfalen, en dat is heel erg triest en een verdomd jonge leeftijd. Nadat het nieuws van zijn overlijden naar buiten kwam, reageerde ook zijn collega's uit True Blood via Social Media op dit verlies.

Nelsan Ellis, the actor who starred in HBO's True Blood as Lafayette Reynolds, has died, his manager Emily Gerson Saines, told The Hollywood Reporter.

He was 39.

"Nelsan has passed away after complications with heart failure," Saines said. "He was a great talent, and his words and presence will be forever missed."

On True Blood, Lafayette was a short order cook at Merlotte's. In the books, he was killed off, but because Ellis made him such an enjoyable character, he survived in the series.

"We were extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Nelsan Ellis," HBO said in a statement. "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."

True Blood creator, Alan Ball said: "Nelsan was a singular talent whose creativity never ceased to amaze me. Working with him was a privilege."

I don't know if I've ever seen the level of humility and kindness that came with the Magnificent Talent that Nelsan Ellis had. Miss u friend

- Sam Trammell (@SamTrammell) July 8, 2017

Shocked & incredibly sad to hear about the passing of @OfficialNelsan. It was a privilege to work with such a talented and kind human. RIP.

- Jamie Gray Hyder (@JGHyder) July 8, 2017

I am speechless... I am heartbroken... Rest In Peace my friend @OfficialNelsan pic.twitter.com/nvyzM8QoI7

- Kevin Alejandro (@kevinmalejandro) July 8, 2017

It was an utter privilege to work with the phenomenally talented and deeply kind soul .@OfficialNelsan I'm devastated by his untimely death. pic.twitter.com/If17csduHz

- Anna Paquin (@AnnaPaquin) July 8, 2017

Crushed today by the loss of my friend and castmate Nelsan Ellis. He was a wonderful person, a pioneer, and a one of a kind artist. RIP pic.twitter.com/fvtquhIac7

- Joe Manganiello (@JoeManganiello) July 8, 2017

My heart is broken today over the loss of @OfficialNelsan I was in complete awe of your talent and so honored to have known your kindness.

— Anna Camp (@TheRealAnnaCamp) July 8, 2017

Dearest #NelsanEllis , may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest, you phenomenally talented genius.... pic.twitter.com/2OamZvBVNe

— Carrie Preston (@carriepreston) July 8, 2017

So blessed to share the screen with you you beautiful man. pic.twitter.com/DCD6WLAdJn

— Todd Lowe (@Todd__Lowe) July 8, 2017

This is the most iconic scene from True Blood period. RIP Nelsan Ellis. pic.twitter.com/zaJxzfPDTV

— Joshua 🌙 (@JoshuaNasser) July 8, 2017