Lee Thompson Young, ‘Rizzoli & Isles’ and ‘The Famous Jett Jackson’ star, dead at 29

There’s some more surprising and sad news coming out in the world of celebrity deaths today. Lee Thompson Young, an actor best known for his role on “The Famous Jett Jackson” who also played Barry Frost on TNT’s “Rizzoli & Isles,” passed away today at his Los Angeles home. He was 29 years old.

According to TMZ, it was discovered that Young had committed suicide when staffers for the TNT show, concerned when he did not arrive at work or respond to phone calls, called the landlord, who then discovered his body. A publicist for the actor has already issued 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.”

Young’s other credits included guest stints on “Smallville,” “CSI: NY,” and a brief part on the short-lived ABC drama “FlashForward.” While TNT has yet to formally comment on his passing, we expect some sort of notice to be out prior to the airing of the next new “Rizzoli & Isles” episode on the network Tuesday night. The series was recently renewed for a fifth season, and the show will thus need to find a way to write out the character. The show’s creator Janet Tamaro was one of the first from the show to discuss the news publicly, and she had the following to say:

“We are all without the words to truly express our collective grief and profound sadness at the loss of such a sweet, bright light.”

As this story is breaking, we’ll have more news as it becomes available.

Photo: TNT