Tributes pour in for dead actor

Johannesburg – Condolences poured in on Facebook on Sunday for the South African actor, Andrew Thompson, well-known for his role in films like Bakgat and Roepman, as well as in the TV drama Molly & Wors. He committed suicide on Saturday.

Hundreds of people on Sunday left messages for Thompson, 26, and his family on kykNET's Facebook page.

Anja Steyn wrote: "It is so sad. He will leave a void in the entertainment industry. Thinking of his family and friends."

Andrew Thompson on the set of "Verraaiers", an Afrikaans movie set during the second Anglo-Boer war, in Bronkhorstspruit. (Theana Breugem, Gallo)
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Depression

Others also referred to the depression, which Thompson apparently suffered from.

Alida Müller wrote: "It is terrible to have depression and Andrew had been struggling with it for a long time. He must have been in a very, very dark place to want to do it (…) you don’t judge people who do it (…) even if it’s wrong. Rest in peace, Andrew."

Police spokesperson Thabo Malatji said Thompson's body was found on Saturday afternoon by his girlfriend at his flat in Randburg.He had hanged himself.

"No letter was found with his body and a post-mortem has been held," said Malatji.

'Wasn't about fame'

Lizz Meiring, who played Molly in Molly & Wors, told reporters on Sunday that Thompson's death was a big loss and shock.

"He was an impeccable artist who was totally professional in his career and in his personal life…"

"He was without ego – for him it wasn't about fame, but about the creation of something creative."

"I tell myself that he is now with all of the big talents (writers, actors, filmmakers). I can only imagine how he and the late Bill Flynn for instance are chatting away now."

Remembered

Thompson was also known for his role as JP Venter in kykNET's Hart van Staal and he played Fanie (Skêr) Vorster in the film Bakgat!

According to kykNET's website, Thompson was part of the movies Poena is koning and Ordinary Lives, as well as several plays.

He would also be remembered for his role in the movie Vaatjie sien sy gat, as well as a role in the play Samoerai, by Schalk Schoombie.

KykNET spokesperson Haddad Viljoen also expressed his shock at Thompson's death and described it as a loss to the entertainment industry.

Viljoen said he didn't know that Thompson was suffering from depression.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been made.



- Beeld

SOURCE : NEWS