Director Spike Lee paid tribute to actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd, who was shot in Atlanta, with several posts on Instagram.
Director Spike Lee (63, "Malcolm X") mourns the loss of actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd (1950-2020). He was found dead on a street in Atlanta last Saturday (October 3rd) with multiple gunshot wounds to his back. According to the US magazine "People", the police are now looking for the perpetrator. "I am so sad to share the tragic murder of our beloved brother Thomas Jefferson Byrd last night in Atlanta, Georgia," Lee wrote on Instagram Sunday. "May we all wish condolences and blessings to his family. Rest in peace, Brother Byrd."
He was "his man," Lee added, listing a number of his films in which Byrd had starred. In 1995 he played the role of Errol Barnes in Lee's "Clockers" (1995). He also played in Lee's works "Get on the Bus" (1996), "He Got Game" (1998), "Bamboozled" (2000), "Red Hook Summer" (2012) and "Chi-Raq" (2015) . The director posted some clips of his favorite scenes which Byrd featured in his films. Byrd began his career in the theater. In 2003 he was nominated for a Tony Award in the Broadway play "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom". His last film "Freedom's Path" is released posthumously.
Viola Davis thanks Byrd for the collaboration
Other stars of the industry commented on Byrd's tragic death, including Oscar winner Viola Davis (55): "Oh no! 2020! What! I loved working with you, Byrd", she tweeted. "I'm so sorry his life had to end like this. I pray for your family. I'm so sorry."