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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Via AP news wire

Tommy ‘Tiny’ Lister, who played Deebo in ‘Friday,’ dies

Photograph: John Salangsang/Invision/AP

Tommy “Tiny” Lister, best known for his roles in Friday and The Dark Knight, has died, aged 62.

The former wrestler’s manager Cindy Cowan announced the news, telling TMZ he had been found unconscious in his California home on Thursday (10 December).

Lister, who was pronounced dead at the scene, had been diagnosed with Covid-19 earlier this year. 

He recovered from the illness, but Cowan said the actor had trouble breathing after becoming sick a week ago.

His cause of death is currently unknown.

Lister was known for his towering six foot five height. Cowan called him “a gentle giant” with “a smile as broad as you could imagine”.

In the 1995 comedy Friday, he played Deebo, a neighbour of the main characters who repeatedly terrifies them by randomly appearing when they least expect it.

He also appeared as a prisoner on the climactic boat sequence in Christopher Nolan’s 2008 blockbuster The Dark Knight.

Lister’s other notable roles include The Fifth Element (1997), Little Nicky (2000) and Austin Powers in Goldmember (20020).

Additional reporting by Agencies

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