He was in some of our favorite films, including Clockers, Get On The Bus, Set It Off, He Got Game, and Ray, and would often partner with director Spike Lee.
Tragically, police are reporting that actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd III, 70, was shot in the back multiple times after an argument ensued in the front yard of an aging home in Southwest Atlanta on October 3. Police are still investigating and has offered a reward of $10,000 for tips on the case.
“This is still an active homicide investigation and detectives are following up on all leads but have no suspect information to release at this time,” said a statement from APD spokesman Steve Avery.
Highly educated, Byrd earned a bachelor’s degree from Morris Brown College before retrieving a master’s degree from the California Institute of the Arts. As an actor, he has 31 credits under his belt. He has also acted on the Broadway show Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, leading to a Tony Award nomination for “Best Featured Actor in a Play” and a Theatre World Awards win in 2003.
The actor’s public viewing will be held on October 12 from 10 AM EST to 7 PM EST. A private service will take place on Tuesday, October 13. However, fans are welcome to view the private service via Zoom using Meeting ID: 850 3645 4820 and Passcode: 815190.
Rest in peace to an incredible actor.
