Steve Mensch, the president and general manager of studio operations at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, died in a single-seater plane crash in Florida on Dec. 6.
TMZ first reported the news early this morning. A spokesperson for Tyler Perry Studios later confirmed the news with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
According to multiple news reports, Mensch was flying the plane when it crashed on a road in Homosassa, FL. A Fox outlet in Tampa Bay reported that the crash happened on West White Dogwood Drive near the intersection of US 98.
Mensch served as president of Tyler Perry Studios since 2016, managed Perry’s 300-acre studio in southwest Atlanta.
“We are incredibly saddened by the passing of our dear friend Steve Mensch,” reads a statement from Tyler Perry Studios, printed by the AJC. “Steve was a cherished member of our team for more than eight years and well beloved in the community of Atlanta. It’s hard to imagine not seeing him smiling throughout the halls. We will miss him dearly. Our heart goes out to his family as we all send them our prayers.”
The board of directors of the Georgia Production Partnership (GPP), a nonprofit that works to promote the Georgia film industry, also offered a comment on Mensch’s passing.
“We are heartbroken to learn of the tragic passing of Steve Mensch, President of Tyler Perry Studios, a former president of the Georgia Production Partnership and a steadfast advocate for the Georgia film industry, reads the statement. “Steve’s leadership and vision helped lay the foundation for what GPP is today and solidified Georgia’s position as a global leader in film and television production.”
This article has been updated with a statement from GPP.