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Tommy 'Tiny' Lister has been found dead in his Marina Del Rey apartment at the age of 62. The Friday and The Fifth Element star was pronounced dead on the scene after police responded to a call of an unconscious male, sources have told TMZ. A coroner was on the scene where Tommy, a native of Compton, California, was found but his cause of death has yet to be confirmed.
Tommy was best known for playing Deebo in Friday and Next Friday, as well as playing 'tough guys' films such as The Fifth Element and The Dark Knight. His manager, Cindy Cowan, has told People that Tommy was suffering "Covid symptoms" for a week prior to his death. He has reportedly not been tested positive for coronavirus but had cancelled working on a movie last weekend after not feeling well.
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Cowan said: "He was just really complaining, but he was too weak to go to the doctor." She added: "He was a gentle giant and one-of-a-kind. A man that's like been a brother to me for 20 years." Tommy launched his film career in the 1980s, appearing in movies such as Runaway Train, Blue City and Beverly Hills Cop II.
In 1989, he starred alongside Hulk Hogan in World Wrestling Federation's movie No Holds Barred. He enjoyed the role so much that he went on to become a wrestler away from the silver screen, joining the World Championship Wrestling (WCW) under the name Z-Gangsta. He had his big break in acting in 1995 when he played the part of Deebo in Friday. He reprised the role for its 2000 sequel, Next Friday.
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Tommy also starred in a number of big-screen hits including The Dark Knight, Jackie Brown, Austin Powers in Goldmember and The Fifth Element. He also turned his hand, or rather voice, to a number of roles including The Cleveland Show and Zootopia. Ice Cube, who starred with Tommy in Friday, wrote on Twitter: "RIP Tiny 'Deebo' Lister. America’s favourite bully was a born entertainer who would pop into character at the drop of a hat terrifying people on and off-camera. Followed by a big smile and laugh. "Thank you for being a good dude at heart. I miss you already."
