In Memoriam : Actor Tommy ‘Tiny’ Lister

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Tommy “Tiny” Lister, famous for playing the intimidating, yet lovable tough guy in the film “Friday”, has reportedly died.

How Tommy Lister passed away

TMZ first reported law enforcement sources got a call to the actor’s apartment Thursday, just before 3 PM, for an unconscious male.

Lister’s manager, Cindy Cowan, told the Associated Press Lister was found unconscious in his home Dec. 10 in Marina Del Rey, California, on Thursday afternoon. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Cowan said Lister was diagnosed with COVID-19 earlier this year. She said the actor overcame the virus, but he became sick about a week ago and recently had trouble breathing.

The cause of death has not been released, and the coroner’s office is investigating.

“He was a gentle giant,” Cowan said. “He had a smile as broad as you could imagine. He’s going to be missed by so many. We’re all devastated.”

Entertainment Career

Although nicknamed ‘Tiny’, Lister was big in stature standing at 6 feet, 5 inches tall. He started his career as a wrestler before moving on to films. His early roles included “Beverly Hills Cop II,” “No Holds Barred” and the HBO football series “1st & Ten.”

Lister’s most notable role came in the 1995 film “Friday” and its sequel five years later.

He portrayed the role of Deebo, a person with a felony conviction, who was known as the neighborhood bully that terrorized his neighbors with intimidation and fear. His character was known for his infamous line “Get knocked out like your father used to.”

Tommy Lister was 62.