‘The Hateful Eight’ and ‘Django Unchained’ actor was 53 years old – The Hollywood Reporter

keith jefferson

Amy Sussman/Getty Images

Keith Jefferson is an actor who starred in Quentin Tarantino’s films. django unchained, Hateful Eight and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,died. He was 53 years old.

Mr. Jefferson died Thursday, his agent Nicole St. John said. hollywood reporter. She announced in August that she had been diagnosed with cancer.

“Sometimes God gives you a challenge and leaves it up to you to solve it,” he wrote at the time. “When I was first diagnosed with cancer, I stopped and had to stop and I didn’t want to tell anyone. Not my family, not my relatives. My faith is getting stronger and stronger, so… Today, I am finally in a place to share.”

Born April 7, 1970 in Houston, Jefferson earned a bachelor’s degree in musical theater from US International in San Diego and a master’s degree in theater from the University of Arizona.He played a role on screen for the first time boys on the side (1995).

He played pudgy Ralph alongside Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Samuel L. Jackson. django unchained ” (2012) as Charlie. Hateful Eight (2015) as Land Pirate Keith Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019).

Fox paid tribute to the actor on social media on Thursday, writing, “This hurts. Keith, you have been nothing short of an absolute blessing, your heart has been pure all your life, your love has been… You were an incredible soul. We will all miss you. This will take a long time to heal. Goodbye my friend. I love you.”

Fox and Jefferson, who met in college in San Diego, began working together in the ’90s, when Jefferson appeared in two episodes of the film. jamie foxx show.Recently, he appeared in a drama on Prime Video. burial.

In another post, Foxx wrote, “Everything hurts right now, I’m having a hard time looking at photos and remembering the good times we had, I’m going to miss you…I can’t believe you’ve been since we met in college. He was in good spirits,” he added. Rest in Peace, I never thought I would see these words about my friend Rip Keith. ”

Jefferson also worked as a producer, narrator, and acting coach.His other TV and film credits also include relative opposition, Dad, stop bothering me!, you too, Bosch: Legacy and day shift.

On stage, he has played roles in touring and regional theater productions such as: big river, Othello, excellent donuts and piano lessons.

St. John said that Jefferson is working on several projects and is “in the midst of a project that captures his unique and resonant voice.” He was looking forward to coming back in the new year. ”