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Thomas Jefferson Bird with Spike Lee in 2012
Oscar winner Spike Lee Has paid tribute to actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd who was shot dead in.
Writing on Instagram, Lee added calling the actor his “favorite brother”: “Tom is my person.”
The 70-year-old starred in many of Lee’s films, including Clicker, Bamboozled and Chi-Rock.
Police were called to Belvedere Avenue in southwest Atlanta on Saturday, where Byrd was found with multiple bullet wounds in the back.
Atlanta Police spokesman Ant Fischer Anthony Grant told Variety that he was identified by emergency services and pronounced dead.
Police are working to determine the circumstances, Mr. Grant said. Lee called Byrd’s death a “tragic murder” on his Instagram account.
Viola Davis, who also worked with Byrd, was also shocked at the news.
Jack Ryan and The Wire Star Wendell Pierre also paid tribute.
Other Spike Lee movies include Byrd’s performances in Gen On Bus, Red Hook Summer, Girl 6, Da Sweet Blood of Jesus and He’s Got Game, Denzel Washington and Mila Jovavich.
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He performed on stage and received a Tony nomination
Lee and Byrd first collaborated on the 1995 film Clockers – and shared two Instagram clips featuring director Byrd, who played a violent promoter named Eric Byrne.
Actor Jamie Foxx’s Ray was also seen in the Charles biopic Ray.
Her theatrical performance earned her a Tony nomination for Maa Raini Black Bottom in 2003, in which she starred opposite Hopi Goldberg.
“We all send our condolences and blessings to his family,” Lee said.
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