Lee Thompson Young obit

Actor Lee Thompson Young found dead at age 29

He was not on the list.

Lee Thompson Young, who began his acting career as the teenage star of the Disney Channel's "The Famous Jett Jackson" and was featured in the film "Friday Night Lights" and the series "Rizzoli & Isles," was found dead Monday, police said. He was 29.

There was no official cause of death, but Young's manager, Paul Baruch, said the actor "tragically took his own life."

"Lee was more than just a brilliant young actor, he was a wonderful and gentle soul who will be truly missed. We ask that you please respect the privacy of his family and friends as this very difficult time," Baruch said in a statement.

Young's body was found at his North Hollywood home by police Monday morning after he failed to show up for work on TNT's crime drama "Rizzoli & Isles," police Officer Sally Madera said. The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned and pronounced him dead at the scene, she said.

LAPD robbery-homicide detectives and the Los Angeles County coroner office were investigating because it is a high-profile death, she said. Madera had no details about the cause of death.

In the TNT series, Young played fledgling police Detective Barry Frost, who's computer savvy but squeamish. Earlier Monday, the channel announced it was renewing the series that stars Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander.

"We are beyond heartbroken at the loss of this sweet, gentle, good-hearted, intelligent man. ... Lee will be cherished and remembered by all who knew and loved him, both on- and offscreen, for his positive energy, infectious smile and soulful grace," TNT, studio Warner Bros. and series producer Janet Tamaro said in a joint statement.

They sent condolences to his mother and other family members.

According to a biography from TNT, Young was inspired to pursue acting when, at age, 10, he played Martin Luther King Jr. in a play in Young's hometown of Columbia, S.C.

In 1998, Young began starring in "The Famous Jett Jackson," playing a TV action hero who returns to his roots for a less high-profile life. The series ran until 2001.

Young followed it with roles in TV series, including "The Guardian," ''Scrubs" and "Smallville" and in the films "Akeelah and the Bee" and "The Hills Have Eyes II." Young joined "Rizzoli & Isles" when it debuted in 2010.

"I'm the youngest member of the cast, so I really take advantage of the wealth of knowledge that I find myself surrounded by," Young said in a 2011 interview with the website Rolling Out. Young, a graduate of University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, was an as an avid photographer, traveler and student of martial arts, according to his biography.

Filmography

Film Year             Title       Role       Notes

2004      Friday Night Lights           Chris Comer       

2006      Akeelah and the Bee       Devon Anderson             

2007      The Hills Have Eyes 2      Delmar

2007      Mano    Machito               Short film

2010      Bastard                 Passenger 1        Short film

2012      Just an American              Curtiss Jackson

Television Year Title       Role       Notes

1998–2001          The Famous Jett Jackson               Jett Jackson / Silverstone              Lead role (65 episodes)

1999      Johnny Tsunami                Sam Sterling       Movie

2001      Jett Jackson: The Movie                 Jett Jackson / Silverstone              Movie

2002      Philly     Steven Hicks       Episode: "There's No Business Like No Business"

2002      The Guardian     Levi Mooney      5 episodes

2003      Jake 2.0                Prince Malik Namir          Episode: "The Prince and the Revolution"

2003      The Jersey           Himself                 Episode: "Origins: Part 2"

2004      Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story        Charles Becnel   Movie

2004      The Proud Family             Teen Bebe (voice)            Episode: "Twins to Tweens"

2004–2005          Xiaolin Showdown           Jermaine (voice)               2 episodes

2005      Kevin Hill             Levi        Episode: "Homeland Insecurity"

2006      South Beach       Alex Bauer           5 episodes

2006–07,

2010      Smallville             Victor Stone/Cyborg       3 episodes

2008      Five Year Plan    Mutabi Movie

2008      Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles              Agent Stewart   Episode: "Heavy Metal"

2009      Scrubs   Derek    3 episodes

2009      Lincoln Heights Julian     Episode: "Bully for You"

2009–2010          FlashForward     Al Gough              8 episodes

2010      The Good Guys Eric Williams      Episode: "Small Rooms"

2010–2014          Rizzoli & Isles     Det. Barry Frost                 Main role (56 episodes)

2010      The Event            Corporal Bell      2 episodes

2012      CSI: NY Kelvin Moore     Episode: "Unwrapped"