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Tributes are paid to actor Lee Thompson Young

Tributes are paid to actor Lee Thompson Young

TRIBUTES have been paid to actor Lee Thompson Young who has been found dead at his home in California. He was 29.

Mr. Young had been a child star in the Disney series The Famous Jett Jackson (see below), in which he played a teenage secret agent. He had been 12 when he landed the role in the series which ran from 1998 to 2001.

He continued to build his career with appearances in such shows as The Guardian, South Beach and Scrubs, and in 2004 appeared in the sports movie Friday Night Lights, which starred Billy Bob Thornton.

More recently, he was appearing in the TV series Rizzoli & Isles as Boston police detective Barry Frost. The show had just been commissioned for another series.

It was after Mr. Young had failed to show up for work on the the set of the series that the alarm was raised. His body was found at his home in Hollywood. It is understood the actor may have taken his own life.

Mr. Young’s manager, Paul Baruch, paid tribute: “Lee was more than just a brilliant young actor, he was a wonderful and gentle soul who will be truly missed.”

The series producer of Rizzoli & Isles, Janet Tamaro, said everyone involved with the show had been left “beyond heartbroken” by the death. She added: “Lee will be cherished and remembered by all who knew and loved him, both on and off screen, for his positive energy, infectious smile and soulful grace.”

To view an excerpt from The Famous Jett Jackson, click here.

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