Nelsan Ellis Passed Away!

Nelsan Ellis Passed away.

It was reported that actor Nelsan Ellis had passed away at the age of 39.

He was known for playing the gay flamboyant medium Lafayette Reynolds in the horror-drama True Blood on HBO. He had passed away from complications of heart failure.

"He was a great talent, and his words and presence will forever be missed," said his publicist Emily Gerson Saines to The Hollywood Reporter.

Ellis was on True Blood from 2008 until its series finale in 2014.

"We are extremely saddened to hear the passing of Nelsan Ellis," said HBO in a statement on Saturday. "Nelsan was a long-time member of the HBO family whose groundbreaking portrayal of Lafayette will be remembered fondly."

Ellis who was born in Harvey, Illinois was talented. He was of seven children.

Ellis played the role of a gay medium named Lafayette Reynolds.

He briefly joined the U.S. Marines before he left to join acting. He was cast as a short order cook in the pilot for True Blood before he landed the role of Lafayette.

He would had "act gay" while playing the character.

"I have more makeup on than any of the females in the cast. Once they get me with the fake eyelashes and the eye makeup, I listen to some Rihanna and I'm there," said Ellis.

He recently landed a role in Elementary as Shinwell Johnson.

He played the roles of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Lee Daniels hit movie The Butler.

He leaves behind a grandmother, a father, his siblings and his son.