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Smallville’s Cyborg, Lee Thompson Young, Dead at 29
http://comicbook.com/blog/2013/08/19/sm ... ead-at-29/

Lee Thompson Young, whose interpretation of Cyborg was one of the most popular DC heroes on Smallville, was reportedly found dead today at age 29.

TMZ is reporting that Young died of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound at his Los Angeles home. The former star of The Famous Jett Jackson is currently appearing on TNT’s hit police procedural Rizzoli & Isles, which was just renewed for a new season on Sunday.

The news and gossip site reports that Young’s landlord found the actor’s body after being asked to check up on the man when he didn’t arrive for work today.

Local police have confirmed the report for Entertainment Tonight.

It's just one of those "holy s**t" things that blindsides ya.

Lee Thompson Young, known to Disney fans as The Famous Jett Jackson has died (from suicide sadly):

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/f ... Stories%29

"Lee Thompson Young, who starred on TNT's Rizzoli & Isles and played the main character on Disney's The Famous Jett Jackson for three years, has died after committing suicide. He was 29.

LAPD officer Sally Madera told the Associated Press that police found Young's body Monday morning at his North Hollywood home after he failed to show up for work on the TNT crime drama -- he played Barry Frost alongside Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander. The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned and pronounced him dead at the scene, she said.

The show was renewed last week along with TNT's other summer original dramas, Perception and Major Crimes. The network confirmed to THR that Young was set to return as a series regular.

Rizzoli, which will return for its fifth season next year, has averaged 8.4 million viewers this season when factoring in DVR viewing, up 6 percent year-over-year. The season-four finale airs Sept. 10 with the second half of its fourth season returning in early 2014. The fifth season will consist of 15 episodes.

TNT, Warner Bros. and Rizzoli & Isles showrunner Janet Tamaro issued the following statement:

"Everyone at Rizzoli & Isles is devastated by the news of the passing of Lee Thompson Young. We are beyond heartbroken at the loss of this sweet, gentle, good-hearted, intelligent man. He was truly a member of our family. Lee will be cherished and remembered by all who knew and loved him, both on- and offscreen, for his positive energy, infectious smile and soulful grace. We send our deepest condolences and thoughts to his family, to his friends and, most especially, to his beloved mother."

Young's longtime manager Jonathan Baruch released the following statement: "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.""

This is horrible.

I wonder what caused him to do something like this to himself. Maybe he had depression problems.

Sad... and another child star casualty. When stuff like this happens you can't help but wonder if anyone near him saw the signs and could've helped him in order to prevent this. RIP.

Wow, sad. I honestly don't know what to say other than "another one"

He was so young. I'm sad to hear this, but (without knowing the specifics) can't help but wonder why after all the tragedies like this one over the decades, Hollywood doesn't start doing something to take care of their own better. That might be the bigger tragedy.

milojthatch wrote:He was so young. I'm sad to hear this, but (without knowing the specifics) can't help but wonder why after all the tragedies like this one over the decades, Hollywood doesn't start doing something to take care of their own better. That might be the bigger tragedy.

You said it especially with child/teen actors that seem to develop lots of problems once they move into adulthood. I have this theory that Hollywood seems to take an apathetic approach to all this because its seems to think its not their entire problem.

Mara Wilson (who played the lead in Matilda) wrote an interesting article recently, about why child actors suffer these problems later in life: http://www.cracked.com/blog/7-reasons-c ... rspective/

I'm surprised Young would resort to suicide, since he seemed to have a solid role on a successful television series. But, of course, we don't know what he might have been going through outside of work.

estefan wrote:Mara Wilson (who played the lead in Matilda) wrote an interesting article recently, about why child actors suffer these problems later in life: http://www.cracked.com/blog/7-reasons-c ... rspective/

Thanks for posting that article. It was an interesting and insightful article. Mara seems like a grounded and intelligent girl.

estefan wrote:Mara Wilson (who played the lead in Matilda) wrote an interesting article recently, about why child actors suffer these problems later in life: http://www.cracked.com/blog/7-reasons-c ... rspective/

I actually read that some time. Jeez, it's no wonder Mara and people like Macaulay Culkin left the business when they had the chance. Of course, we have seen Culkin back on the screen in some form recently.

Damn, that was too soon. Rest in peace.

OMG! That is so sad! My thoughts and prayers goes his family.