Lee Thompson Young’s Funeral: 29-Year-Old Star Laid To Rest
Friends, family and cast mates gathered for a memorial on August 23 to remember Lee Thompson Young, after he lost his life to suicide.
After the shocking death of Lee Thompson Young on August 19, the 29-year-old was laid to rest in Hollywood, Calif., where his loved ones gathered to say their last goodbyes.
Lee Thompson Young Laid To Rest
The Famous Jett Jackson star was only 29 when he died after committing suicide. His family remembered him on Aug. 23 at the Paramount lot in Hollywood, where Rizzoli & Isles taped.
The private service lasted almost three hours and had hundreds of guests, according to TMZ. Rizzoli & Isles co-star Angie Harmon was one of the guests to speak, and she reportedly broke down in tears during her short eulogy. “It was really hard to hear her because she was in tears,” a funeral attendee told E!.
Jordan Bridges, also from Rizzoli & Isles, spoke as well, reportedly recounting his deep bond with Lee and emphasizing how much he will be missed.
The ceremony also included practices from Ifa, a West African religion that Lee practiced. Dancers performed in all white as Lee’s mother, Velma Love, blessed the ground behind them. Additionally, the family requested any donations be made to Young Storytellers Foundation, to raise awareness of the arts for underprivileged kids.
Lee Thompson: Friends Remember The ‘Sweet, Intelligent Man’
Rizzoli & Isles creator Janet Tomaro was among the guests. She took to Twitter after the shocking death, tweeting, “We are all without the words to truly express our collective grief and profound sadness at the loss of such a sweet, bright light.”
Additionally, TNT released the following statement:
Everyone at Rizzoli & Isles is devastated by the news of the passing of Lee Thompson Young. We are beyond heartbroken at the loss of this sweet, gentle, good-hearted, intelligent man. He was truly a member of our family. 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. We send our deepest condolences and thoughts to his family, to his friends and, most especially, to his beloved mother.
Disney Channel, which he starred on as Jett Jackson from 1998 to 2001, also released a statement to HollywoodLife.com, saying “Nothing any of us can say will adequately express our sadness over Lee’s untimely passing — our thoughts are with his loved ones and the many fans of his work.”
WATCH: Lee Thompson Young Dead At 29: Ex-Disney Star Dies From Suicide
— Emily Longeretta
More Tragic Celebrity Deaths:
- ‘Bachelor’ Star Gia Allemand Dead At 29
- Karen Black Dies — ‘Five Easy Pieces’ Star Dead From Cancer At 74
- Cory Monteith: ‘Glee’ Star Found Dead In Vancouver Hotel At Age 31