Bill Nunn Remembered by Hollywood: ‘He Was a Gem of a Man’
With news of “Do The Right Thing” actor Bill Nunn’s death at age 62 on Saturday, Nunn’s show-business colleagues rushed to pay tribute to the actor on social media.
“Private Practice” actress Audra McDonald, who worked with Nunn on the 2008 film “A Raisin in the Sun,” called the actor “a gem of a man.”
“Heartbroken to hear of Bill Nunn’s passing. He was a gem of a man and I loved working with and getting to know him,” McDonald wrote. “RIP.”
Also Read: Bill Nunn, ‘Do the Right Thing’ and ‘Spider-Man’ Actor, Dies at 62
Former “Scrubs” star Donald Faison offered, “Rest well Bill Nunn.”
“The Wire” actor Wendell Pierce took to Twitter to say that Nunn’s portrayal of Radio Raheem in Spike Lee‘s “Do the Right Thing” foreshadowed the current rash of police shootings plaguing the country.
“Bill Nunn’s depiction of RadioRaheem in DO THE RIGHT THING illuminated the murder of Black men by police before recent real life videos,” Pierce wrote.
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Lee broke news of Nunn’s death on Instagram Saturday, saying that Nunn had died in his hometown of Pittsburgh. Lee did not elaborate on the cause of Nunn’s death.
In addition to “Do the Right Thing” and Lee’s “School Daze,” Nunn’s many screen credits included the Sam Raimi “Spider-Man” trilogy and “Sister Act.”
Read on for more reactions to Nunn’s death.
Heartbroken to hear of Bill Nunn’s passing. He was a gem of a man and I loved working with and getting to know him. ??'” RIP
– Audra McDonald (@AudraEqualityMc) September 24, 2016
Rest well Bill Nunn. #RadioRaheem pic.twitter.com/DPXJKcjjlx
– Donald Faison (@donald_faison) September 24, 2016
Bill Nunn’s depiction of RadioRaheem in DO THE RIGHT THING illuminated the the murder of Black men by police before recent real life videos
– Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) September 24, 2016
RIP Bill Nunn. Incredible actor, brought his best to every role…. https://t.co/nmZ90rMFE0
– Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) September 24, 2016
Love. Hate. Bill Nunn. Goodbye Brother. https://t.co/iA6mV8gAiG
– Questlove Gomez (@questlove) September 24, 2016
R.I.P Bill Nunn
– Lloydbanks (@Lloydbanks) September 24, 2016
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Bill Nunn, 'Do the Right Thing’ and 'Spider-Man’ Actor, Dies at 62
