Spike Lee took to his Instagram with terrible news Sunday. Actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd has been murdered in Atlanta.
According to TMZ, homicide detectives are now investigating after cops responded to a call about a man injured from multiple gunshot wounds to the back at 1:45 a.m Saturday morning. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
The 70-year-old was in multiple Spike Lee joints but also made his name in theater. He was nominated for a Tony Award as Best Actor for a revival of August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.
Spike wrote in an Instagram post: ‘I’m So Sad To Announce The Tragic Murder Of Our Beloved Brother Thomas Jefferson Byrd Last Night In Atlanta,Georgia. Tom Is My Guy,Here Below You See Him As The Frightening Character Errol Barnes In CLOCKERS. Brother Byrd Also Did His Thang In My Joints- CHI-RAQ,SWEET BLOOD OF JESUS, RED HOOK SUMMER,BAMBOOZLED,HE GOT GAME,GET ON THE BUS,GIRL 6 And CLOCKERS. May We All Wish Condolences And Blessings To His Family. Rest In Peace Brother Byrd.’
Tributes poured in Spike’s comment section for the late actor.
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‘Not T. Byrd. My goodness. He and my mother worked together in stage productions for years. This is…whew. Such a beautiful person on and off stage/set,’ one follower wrote.
‘Omg so sad to hear the news of our old neighbor he was always so sweet, and fun. We grew ya so close to him and his children, I’m praying hard for Shannon, Kayla, Man Man, and Aria. I’ll never forget the time we spent the night at their house and we left the back door open and a raccoon got in🤣 one of the funniest/scariest moments of my life😂😂😂😂 Rest Well Mr.Byrd,’ another reminisced.
This person wrote: ‘It’s so sad to hear that this talented black actor was murdered people need to find a hobby and stop murdering people.’
Ava DuVernay commented: ‘What a powerhouse actor. The performances he leaves behind are real jewels. Thank you for sharing his talent with us in so many of your films.’
Rest in peace to Thomas Byrd.