Tragic news struck on Friday evening in Florida, as the president of Tyler Perry Studios, Steve Mensch, passed away in a single-occupant plane crash, according to reports from the Citrus County Sheriff's Office. Mensch, aged 62, had led the Atlanta-based film studio with distinction since 2016. The news of his demise was initially broken by TMZ.
Sheriff's officials revealed that Mensch was both the pilot and the solitary passenger on the plane that crashed onto a road in Homosassa, Florida, around 8 p.m. The incident led to the closure of portions of Highway 19 and Longfellow Street, as announced in a Facebook post by the sheriff’s office. The roads were fully reopened just before 2:30 a.m.
This tragic event came on the heels of Perry being recently feted by the Paley Center and the release of his latest film, "The Six Triple Eight," a monumental cinematic endeavor and his bid for prestigious awards. The film premiered in selected theaters on the same day as Mensch's untimely demise.
In a statement to TMZ, the studio expressed their profound grief: "Steve was an invaluable member of our team for over eight years, deeply loved within the Atlanta community. His infectious smile will be sorely missed as we navigate the halls without him. Our hearts ache for his family, and we offer them our sincere condolences and prayers."
Prior to joining Perry's studio, Mensch had served as the president of Third Rail Studios, also located in Georgia, where he oversaw staffing, studio development, and general operations until its grand opening in June 2016. He also spent about a decade at Turner Broadcasting, holding the position of director of studio, location operations, and strategic production partnerships.
Mensch leaves behind a loving wife and three cherished children, who will undoubtedly feel the void of his absence deeply.
