Renowned actor Keith Jefferson gained widespread recognition for his role in the 2012 Quentin Tarantino film “Django Unchained.” He also appeared in other notable projects such as “The Hateful Eight,” “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” and ”Day Shift.” His latest project, “All-Star Weekend,” was completed but has yet to be released.
Tragically, Jefferson will never have the chance to see his final project come to fruition. On October 5, 2023, he passed away at the age of 53 after battling cancer.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Jefferson’s representative expressed deep sorrow over his passing, stating, “I am devastated by Keith’s death. He was an exceptional talent and his loss is a great loss to the artistic community.”
The representative also added, “He had multiple projects in the works and was in the midst of one that truly showcased his unique and powerful voice. He was eagerly anticipating his return in the new year. My thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones and close friends.”
Upon hearing the news of his dear friend’s passing, actor Jamie Foxx took to Instagram to pay tribute. He wrote, “This one hits hard. Keith, you were always full of grace, with a pure heart and immeasurable love. You were an incredible soul. We will all miss you dearly. It will take a long time for this wound to heal. Farewell, my friend. I love you.”
Foxx’s heartfelt posts show just how much Jefferson’s death has affected him. In fact, he has shared three tributes to his friend in the past few days. In another post, he wrote, “Everything hurts right now. It’s hard to look through these pictures and relive the memories of us having a great time. I’m going to miss you, man. I never thought I would have to say goodbye to my friend. Rest in peace.”
On August 9th, less than two months before his passing, Jefferson shared with his followers that he had been diagnosed with cancer. He posted a black and white photo of himself in a hospital bed and revealed in the caption, “When I first found out about my diagnosis, I couldn’t bring myself to share it with anyone.
Not even my family or close friends. But now, my faith is growing stronger and I feel ready to share.” He went on to express his gratitude to his loved ones for their unwavering support, writing, “I have an amazing family and the best friends anyone could ask for. You know who you are. From my mother to J Foxx and everyone in between. I love you all with my whole heart.”
Keith Jefferson’s passing is a great loss to the entertainment industry and those who knew him personally. His talent and kind spirit will be deeply missed. May he rest in peace.