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Thomas Jefferson Byrd with Spike Lee in 2012
Oscar winner Spike Lee has compensated tribute to actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd, who has been shot and killed in the US.
Creating on Instagram, Lee called the actor his “beloved brother”, introducing: “Tom is my person.”
The 70-year-aged experienced starred in lots of of Lee’s films, including Clockers, Bamboozled and Chi-Raq.
Law enforcement have been called to Belvedere Avenue, south west Atlanta, on Saturday, where by Byrd was discovered with many gunshot wounds to the back again.
He was identified and pronounced dead by the unexpected emergency products and services, Atlanta police spokesman Officer Anthony Grant explained to Range.
Law enforcement are performing to ascertain the conditions, mentioned Mr Grant. Lee explained Byrd’s loss of life as a “tragic murder” on his Instagram account.
Viola Davis, who experienced also labored together with Byrd, also tweeted her shock at the information.
Jack Ryan and The Wire star Wendell Pierce also compensated tribute.
Byrd’s appearances in other Spike Lee motion pictures include things like Get on the Bus, Purple Hook Summer months, Female six, Da Sweet Blood of Jesus and He Bought Game, opposite Denzel Washington and Milla Jovavich.
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Getty Pictures
He also starred on phase and acquired a Tony nomination
Lee and Byrd 1st collaborated on 1995 film Clockers – and the director shared two Instagram clips featuring Byrd, who played a violent enforcer called Eric Byrne.
The actor also appeared in Jamie Foxx’s Ray Charles biopic Ray.
His theatre work also acquired him a Tony nomination in 2003 for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, in which he starred opposite Whoopi Goldberg.
“May well we all want condolences and blessings to his loved ones,” Lee mentioned.
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