Keith Jefferson
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Keith Jefferson, the actor who worked for Quentin Tarantino on Django Unchained, The Hateful Eight and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, has died. He was 53.
Jefferson died on Thursday, his representative Nicole St. John told . In August, he announced that he had been diagnosed with cancer.
“Every now and then God presents you with a challenge and leaves it up to you to solve the problem,” he wrote at the time. “When I was first diagnosed with cancer, I had to stop, pause and didn’t want to share anything with anyone. Neither my family nor my extended family. Today I am finally in a place to share because my faith is growing stronger.”
Born in Houston on April 7, 1970, Jefferson received a BFA in musical theater from US International in San Diego and an MFA in acting from the University of Arizona. His first screen role was in Boys on the Side (1995).
He portrayed Pudgy Ralph alongside Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio and Samuel L. Jackson in Django Unchained (2012), then appeared as Charly in The Hateful Eight (2015) and as land pirate Keith in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019).
Foxx took to social media on Thursday to pay tribute to the actor, writing, “This hurts. Keith, you were nothing but absolute grace, all your life your heart was pure, your love is immeasurable, you were an amazing soul. We will all miss you very much. It’s going to take a long time for this to heal. Goodbye My friend. I love you.”
Foxx and Jefferson, who met in college in San Diego, began working together in the ’90s when Jefferson appeared in two episodes of The Jamie Foxx Show. They most recently worked on the Prime Video drama “The Burial.”
Foxx added in another post: “Everything hurts right now, I’m having a hard time looking through these pictures and reliving the memories of us having a great time. I’m going to miss you man, I’m going to miss you… ever since we met in college you’ve been amazing.” Soul God rest I never thought I’d have to see the words about my boyfriend RIP Keith.”
Jefferson also worked as a producer, voice actor and acting coach. His other television and film credits included Relative Opposites, Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!, You Too, Bosch: Legacy and Day Shift.
On stage, he has had roles in touring and regional theater productions such as Big River, Othello, Superior Donuts and Piano Lesson.
St. John said Jefferson has several projects in the works and is “in the midst of a project that captures his unique and resonant voice.” He was looking forward to returning in the new year.”