Deezer D, who served as a nurse Malik McGrath in the beloved medical drama “ER”, died. He was 55 years old.
Although no official cause of death has been reported, Deezer is believed to have died of a heart attack on Thursday morning, his brother Marshawn told TMZ.
Deezer was an important part of NBC’s iconic “mandatory TV” programming on Thursday nights in nearly 200 episodes from 1994 to 2009.
The actor – whose birth name was Dearon Thompson – was found unanswered at his Los Angeles home. He had already survived major six-hour cardiac surgery in 2009.
“I have a heart valve that is leaking and the aorta has expanded far beyond what it should be,” Deezer told Radar Online at the time. “As soon as the doctor identified what was going on, he put me here … What I was going through last year – it was scary. I am not afraid of surgery. “
In addition to his longtime role in “ER”, produced by Steven Spielberg, opposite George Clooney and Julianna Marguiles, Deezer co-starred in cult films such as “CB4” 1993 with Chris Rock and “Romy & Michelle’s High School 1997 Reunion ”With Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino.
He also appeared on the infamous “Cool as Ice” in 1991 with rapper Vanilla Ice – and also had a career in hip-hop, appearing on soundtracks for “CB4” and “Crazy As Hell” in 2002.
Deezer released his only full solo recording, “Delayed, But Not Denied”, in 2008.
A new single, “History Can’t Be Stopped”, was released posthumously on Friday. Tragically, the track was released just three days ago on Instagram.
His last acting credit listed on the IMBD is a small role in the 2017 TV movie “Crowning Jules” alongside the original “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” Kristy Swanson.
In recent years, Deezer launched a career as a Christian motivational speaker and worked as a personal trainer, as documented on his Instagram page.
His fellow actors and team members have already started using Twitter to honor the late actor.
“I had the pleasure of working with Deezer D on ER”, actor Terry Wilkerson posted. “One of the kindest and kindest souls of all time. Even before Diversity became popular, he appeared on one of the network’s biggest shows. Prayers for your family. Rest easy, my brother. “
“ER” producer Neal Baer shared that he was “sad to hear” about the passing away of “a very sweet and kind man [who was] wonderful to work with. “
Scott Baio’s Tribute on Twitter included a teaser for a future project in which he appears with Deezer.