In Memoriam: Nelsan Ellis

I need to be upfront about this one thing: I never watched TRUE BLOOD. It was before I got this gig, covering all things vampiric in nature, and I didn’t have cable TV at the time, as I was never home to watch it and so why bother. I know what TRUE BLOOD is, but that’s as far as I can go with it. Still, I know a lot of our readers watched it, and doubtless loved the character Lafayette, and so I feel the need to acknowledge here on this site the death of actor Nelsan Ellis. Mr. Ellis passed away this past weekend at the age of 39.

When someone dies that young, it’s a safe bet it either was a death from unnatural causes, or else there was some nasty disease involved. In the case of Mr. Ellis, his death came as a result of heart failure linked to years of alcoholism and drug addiction. We know the specifics because his family released a statement to that effect, hoping that his story might be of benefit to others who are struggling with the same thing.

There are some PC wanker types who feel it is insensitive to mention a person’s cause of death, but Mr. Ellis’s family seems to understand what these feebs cannot. That, if something positive can be taken from the tragedy, some lesson can be imparted, then that is a GOOD thing. Rather than insulting the memory of the deceased, it honours them. We do not judge Mr. Ellis for some perceived weakness or character flaw. We mourn for him, and hope to see other lives not end the same way. Said the statement: “Nelsan was ashamed of his addiction and thus was reluctant to talk about it during his life…His family, however, believes that in death he would want his life to serve as a cautionary tale in an attempt to help others.” That’s a nice legacy to leave behind.

Reading about the man, I wish I’d known him better. Sounds like he was a sweet, talented guy. It’s a shame we lost him too soon.

By TheCheezman

WAYNE MILLER is the owner and creative director of EVIL CHEEZ PRODUCTIONS, specializing in theatrical performances and haunted attractions. He has written, produced, and directed (and occasionally acted in) over two dozen plays, most of them in the Horror and True Crime genres. He obtained a doctorate in Occult Studies from Miskatonic University and is an active paranormal investigator. Is frequently told he resembles Anton Lavey. And Ming the Merciless. Denn die totden reiten schnell!

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