Actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd from Spike Lee films was killed in an Atlanta shooting. Byrd is known for being a constant collaborator of famed director Spike Lee. He appeared in several well-known movies like “Get On The Bus,” “Chi-Raq,” “He Got Game,” and in his most infamous role as character Errol Barnes in “Clockers.”
Police responded to an emergency call about an injured person early Saturday morning around 1:45 AM. When they found Byrd, he appeared to have multiple bullet wounds in his back. Medical personal found the 70-year-old actor unresponsive and later declared his death at the scene.
Police detectives have ruled this tragic incident as a homicide. Police have no suspects attached to the crime. Atlanta PD is working on collecting the details of what exactly took place that morning.
Actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd was not only a great actor on film
Thomas Byrd was not only a great actor on film; he’s excelled in various stage plays. He earned a 2003 Tony Award nomination for his work on “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” Byrd co-starred next to Whoopi Goldberg and Charles S. Dutton from the TV sitcom “Roc.”
After growing up in Griffin, Georgia, Byrd attended Morris Brown College, one of Atlanta’s historically Black colleges. He received a bachelor’s degree in education and a Master’s degree in dance at the California Institute of the Arts.
Actress Viola Davis sent out a Tweet saying, “Loved working with you, Byrd.”
Spike Lee expressed sadness and condolences to Thomas Byrd’s family on Instagram. The “Da 5 Bloods’ director posted yesterday a lengthy caption with high accolades for his fallen brother. “I’m So Sad To Announce The Tragic Murder Of Our Beloved Brother Thomas Jefferson Byrd Last Night In Atlanta, Georgia. Tom Is My Guy.” Lee also went on to say, “May We All Wish Condolences And Blessings To His Family. Rest In Peace, Brother Byrd.🙏🏿”
Thomas Byrd made his final on-screen appearance recently in the film “Freedom’s Path.” Byrd’s last movie is about a friendship between a Union Soldier and an escaped slave along the Underground Railroad.
