Deezer D, whose real name is Dearon Thompson, has passed away at the age of 55.
The actor, who is best known for his role as owner McGrath’s nurse in the ER, was found unresponsive at his home in Los Angeles Thursday morning, according to British newspaper The Guardian. TMZ.
His brother Marchawn told the media site that he believed Deron had suffered a heart attack, although there was no official cause of death yet.
The actor, who was also a rapper under the name Deezer D, had a history of heart problems and in 2009, he underwent six hours of major heart surgery to replace aorta and repair a leaky heart valve.
He appeared in nearly 200 episodes of ER from 1994 through 2009, and starred alongside George Clooney in the medical drama.
(Image: Instagram)
Deeron has had a diverse career and, in addition to acting, he has also been a motivational speaker and instrumentalist in the Christian and underground hip hop communities.
In addition to ER, Deiron has also starred in Romy and Michelle as well as the CB4 and Fear of a Black Hat movies.
Deeron was born on March 12, 1965 in Los Angeles, California, and his first movie was a jazz in Vanilla Ice starring 1991 Cool as Ice..
He opened up about his heart surgery in 2009, and told RadarOnline at the time: “I have a heart valve leak and aneurysm that is way beyond what it’s supposed to be.
“Once the doctor determined what was happening, he put me here … what I’ve been through for the last year – that was scary. I’m not afraid of surgery.”
(Image: WireImage)
As Deezer D, Deron has had a notable rap career, with his last 2008 album Delayed, But Not Denied.
Speaking to CrossWalk in 1999, he said: “Music has become so normal.
“It actually came first, but I got paid as an actor first.
“I write things people can relate to. But I am teaching you that Jesus Christ directs my life. Not everything I talk about is biblical, meaning that I am not trying to be the Lord of the Bible in all my songs.”
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