ACTOR: LEE THOMPSON DEAD AT 29!!

Lee Thompson Young, who began his acting career as the teenage star of the Disney Channel's "The Famous Jett Jackson" and was featured in the film "Friday Night Lights" and the series "Rizzoli & Isles," was found dead on Monday.

He was 29.

There was no official cause of death, but Young's manager, Paul Baruch, said the actor "tragically took his own life."
"Lee was more than just a brilliant young actor, he was a wonderful and gentle soul who will be truly
missed. We ask that you please respect the privacy of
his family and friends as this very difficult time," Baruch said in a statement.

Young's body was found at his North Hollywood home by police Monday morning after he failed to show up for work on TNT's crime drama "Rizzoli & Isles," police Officer Sally Madera said.
The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned and pronounced him dead at the scene, she said.
LAPD robbery-homicide detectives and the Los Angeles County coroner office were investigating
because it is a high-profile death, she said.

Madera had no details about the cause of death.

In the TNT series, Young played fledgling police Detective Barry Frost, who's computer savvy but
squeamish. Earlier Monday, the channel announced it was renewing the series that stars Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander.

According to a biography from TNT, Young was inspired to pursue acting when, at age, 10, he played
Martin Luther King Jr. in a play in Young's hometown of Columbia, S.C.
In 1998, Young began starring in "The Famous Jett Jackson," playing a TV action hero who returns to his
roots for a less high-profile life. The series ran until
2001.
Young followed it with roles in TV series, including "The Guardian," "Scrubs" and "Smallville" and in the
films "Akeelah and the Bee" and "The Hills Have Eyes II." Young joined "Rizzoli & Isles" when it debuted in 2010.
"I'm the youngest member of the cast, so I really take advantage of the wealth of knowledge that I find
myself surrounded by," Young said in a 2011 interview with the website Rolling Out.

Young was a graduate of University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, and avid
photographer, traveler, student of martial arts, according to his biography