NEWS'ER' Actor & Rapper Dearon 'Deezer D' Thompson Dead At 55 — 12 Years After He Underwent Major Heart Surgery
Actor Dearon “Deezer D” Thompson, best known for his role as Nurse Malik McGrath on the medical drama ER, has sadly passed away at the age of 55.
The late star's brother, Emmery Thompson, confirmed his death via Instagram. “My Big Brother! God is with you,” he wrote. “I will miss you.🙏🏾 #deezerd.”
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It is being reported that Dearon was found unresponsive at this home in Los Angeles on Thursday morning. His family believes that he may have suffered a heart attack — he underwent major heart surgery in 2009 to replace an aorta and fix a leaky valve — although the exact cause of death has yet to be revealed.
Dearon appeared in nearly 200 episodes of ER from 1994-2009. He also appeared in the films CB4 and Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion.
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He was last seen in the 2017 movie Crowning Jules, alongside original Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Kristy Swanson. Dearon was also a motivational speaker, rapper and fitness trainer. Just days before his tragic passing, he posted a training video of one of his fitness clients, writing on Instagram, “My clients Stay ready.”
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After the sad news broke, pals of the late actor took to social media to share their condolences. His co-star Terry Wilkerson tweeted, “I had the pleasure of working with Deezer D on ER One of the kindest most Gentle souls ever. Even before Diversity was popular he made it on one of the biggest Shows on Network. Prayers to his family. Rest Easy my Brother.”
Happy Days alum Scott Baio, who recently worked with Dearon on an upcoming movie, tweeted, “I'm sadden to learn the sudden passing of my friend Deezer. He was a devoted Christian. I just had the privilege of working with #DeezerDThompson on a @PureFlix movie. #CourtingMomAndDad. Sending my prayers and condolences to his family.”
TMZ was the first to report Dearon Thompson's death.
