It’s absolutely heartbreaking to share the news that Isabelle Tate, a rising actress who had just landed her first major role on the ABC spin-off 9-1-1: Nashville, has died at the young age of 23. This is a tragic loss for the cast and crew, as Isabelle had only recently filmed her part in the pilot episode, playing the character Julie alongside stars like LeAnn Rimes and Chris O’Donnell. According to her agent, she passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, October 19, leaving behind a legacy of immense strength and a story that’s truly inspiring, even in its sorrow.
The world got a glimpse into Isabelle’s health struggles as her agent confirmed to the press that she suffered from Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, a rare, progressive neuromuscular condition. The disease is known to primarily affect the legs, but it can unfortunately also impact internal organs, including the lungs and heart. It had progressed to a point where Isabelle was often confined to a wheelchair.
When you hear about a talented young person whose life is cut short, it’s always awful, but the timing here feels particularly cruel. Isabelle’s agent shared that, because of the disease, she had “basically given up on her dream of acting”—until the perfect role came along in 9-1-1: Nashville.
Actress died a short time after becoming a star
To be fair, getting a big break like this is tough for any actor, but it’s especially a huge hurdle when you’re dealing with a condition that makes the physical demands of the job so much harder. Isabelle wasn’t hiding her struggle either. She previously spoke about the challenges of CMT, explaining in a 2022 Instagram post that the condition weakened her leg muscles and that accepting the need to use a wheelchair had been a “difficult journey” because “having to accept help and surrender to the progression of this condition has been extremely hard.” She found herself “lost… in certain ways,” feeling like the disease was breaking down both her body and her spirit.
The most remarkable thing is what she took away from it, choosing to “embrace it and not let it define me.” That kind of spirit is truly remarkable. This is why her role as Julie in the pilot was such a huge moment. Her agent called the booking “just perfect for her,” and it was, in fact, the very first series she auditioned for after returning to acting.
She had been a long way from the spotlight, having graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. Her obituary says she “wanted to change the world,” and honestly, just by getting this role, she did change the world for every young person who thinks their condition means they have to give up on their biggest dreams. It sounds like she had a wonderful time on set, finally getting to live out that dream.
We’ve seen a few stars die this year, but even if it has been a long time since, like with James Earl Jones, it is still sad to remember.
