Friday and The Fifth Element actor Tommy “Tiny” Lister has died

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Sad news to report today as it has been announced that Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr. has died at the age of 62 on December 10th. The actor was best known for his role of neighbourhood bully Deebo in Friday and Next Friday, as well as playing President Lindberg in The Fifth Element.

Tommy Lister's Manager, Cindy Cowan, said, "He was a gentle giant. He had a smile as broad as you could imagine. He’s going to be missed by so many. We’re all devastated." While a cause of death hasn't been determined just yet, Cowan said that the actor had been diagnosed with COVID-19 earlier in the year, and although he overcame the virus, he began experiencing COVID symptoms once again about a week ago.

Tommy Lister appeared in movies such as 8 Million Ways to Die, Beverly Hills Cop II, Prison, No Holds Barred, Universal Soldier, The Meteor Man, Barb Wire, Jackie Brown, Wishmaster 2: Evil Never Dies, Little Nicky, The Wash, Austin Powers in Goldmember, Dracula 3000, The Dark Knight, The Human Centipede 3 (Final Sequence), Zootopia, and more. Lister also appeared in episodes of Perfect Strangers, 1st and Ten, Matlock, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Renegade, Walker, Texas Ranger, In the Heat of the Night, ER, NYPD Blue, Nash Bridges, Fish Hooks, Mann and Wife, and more. The actor is also known for playing Klaang, the first Klingon encountered by humans in the premiere of Star Trek: Enterprise. After starring alongside Hulk Hogan in No Holds Barred, Lister began wrestling professionally in the World Wrestling Federation as Zeus and continued his on-screen feud with Hogan. Lister also wrestled for World Championship Wrestling as Z-Gangsta.

In a statement on Instagram, Tommy Lister's Friday co-star Ice Cube said, "RIP Tiny “Deebo” Lister. America’s favorite bully was a born entertainer who would pop into character at the drop of a hat terrifying people on and off camera. Followed by a big smile and laugh. Thank you for being a good dude at heart. I miss you already." You will be missed, Mr. Lister.