Actor Bert Belasco has died at the age of 38.
The US performer was best known for his starring role in BET’s Let’s Stay Together, as well as a recurring appearance in one-season sports drama Pitch. His death was confirmed on Monday (9 November) by the Henrico County police.
Belasco’s father told TMZ that the actor had been quarantining at a hotel in Virginia in preparation for a new movie he was due to begin filming.
After his close friends and family had been unable to get hold of him, they contacted the hotel staff, who in turn called the police to conduct a welfare check.
Belasco was found dead at the scene, with police working with medical experts to determine the cause of death. The circumstances are not currently thought to be suspicious.
Best known for playing the character of Charles Whitmore on Let’s Stay Together from 2011 to 2014, Belasco had also made guest appearances in shows such as Key and Peele, NCIS, The Big Show and Superstore.
Tributes to the actor were led by Community star Yvette Nicole Brown, who shared a picture of herself and Belasco to Twitter.
“This is me and my dear friend #BertBelasco who just passed away at 38,” she wrote. “No day is promised. Please let the ones you love KNOW that you love them today, right now. Any moment could be your last. #RIP you dear, kind, gentle man.”
