Sad news: True Blood star Nelsan 'Lafayette' Ellis dies aged just 39

The actor, famous for his role as Lafayette Reynolds, has lost his life after complications from heart failure

True Blood star Nelsan Ellis has died at the age of 39.

The actor, famous for his role as Lafayette Reynolds, has lost his life after complications from heart failure.

HBO, the TV network behind the hit series based on Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse Novels, confirmed his death in a statement to Variety.

They said: "We were extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Nelsan Ellis.

Producers loved Nelsan's portrayal of Lafayette so much that they kept him in the show despite the fact his character died at the end of the first book

Nelsan was a long-time member of the HBO family whose groundbreaking portrayal of Lafayette will be remembered fondly within the overall legacy of 'True Blood.'

Nelsan will be dearly missed by his fans and all of us at HBO."

Producers loved Nelsan's portrayal of Lafayette so much that they kept him in the show despite the fact his character died at the end of the first book

His co-star Joe Manganiello, who played werewolf Alcide, paid tribute.

He shared a picture of them together on Twitter, and wrote: "Crushed today by the loss of my friend and castmate Nelsan Ellis. He was a wonderful person, a pioneer, and a one of a kind artist. RIP"

Kristin Bauer van Straten, who played vampire Pamela, also paid tribute on Instagram.

She shared a picture of Nelsan and wrote: "One of the sweetest most talented men I've ever met. A terrible loss for all of us. Rest In Peace Nelsan. You will be missed. I don't know how else to put words to this terribly sad news..."

Nelsan leaves behind his son, Breon, as well as seven siblings.

Lafayette actually died at the end of the first book, but producers loved Nelsans's portrayal of the character so much that they decided to re-write the story and keep him in the show.