Bert Belasco, an actor known for his role on BET’s “Let’s Stay Together,” was found dead Sunday in a Virginia hotel, Henrico County police confirmed to Variety on Monday. He was 38 years old.
Belasco was in Virginia to film a movie and had been required to quarantine in a hotel prior to entering the set, according to his father Bert Sr. Family members and his girlfriend had tried to reach him but failed. Once they asked hotel staff to do a welfare check, Belasco was found unresponsive in the hotel room.
Investigators are working with medical examiners to determine the cause of death, but the circumstances do not appear to be suspicious. His father told the media he believes his son suffered an aneurysm.
BET released a statement Tuesday about Belasco’s death.
“A member of our BET family, Bert Belasco, has passed. Please join us in sending thoughts and prayers to his friends and family during this challenging time.”
A member of our BET family, Bert Belasco, has passed. Please join us in sending thoughts and prayers to his friends and family during this challenging time. #BETRemembers (📷: getty) pic.twitter.com/oNxsdtmsU4
— BET (@BET) November 10, 2020
Belasco spent four seasons playing the character of Charles Whitmore on the BET comedy “Let’s Stay Together," alongside actors RonReaco Lee, Kyla Pratt and Erica Hubbard. The show ran from 2011 to 2014. Belasco also appeared in such popular series as “Key & Peele," “The Mick” and “The Soul Man.”
Belasco, who lived in Woodland Hills, California, earned a degree at Southern Illinois and took a stab at comedic acting as a part of Chicago’s Second City after graduation.
Some of his friends and former costars, including Jackée Harry, paid tribute to Belasco on social media after news of his passing.
💔💔💔 Heartbroken at the passing of Bert Belasco - a talented, kind young man who I had the pleasuring of working with numerous times on #LetsStayTogether.
— Jackée Harry (@JackeeHarry) November 9, 2020
Squeeze your loved ones tight! Tomorrow is never promised. pic.twitter.com/Puk2zeG69g
This is me and my dear friend #BertBelasco who just passed away at 38. No day is promised. Please let the ones you love KNOW that you love them today, right now.
— yvette nicole brown (@YNB) November 9, 2020
Any moment could be your last. #RIP you dear, kind, gentle man. pic.twitter.com/SrfC87ZIrj
I’m deeply saddened to announce the passing of another member of our Big Show Show family. Bert Belasco played the husband of Cassie’s nemesis in the special “Game On” episode and was a wonderful guy to have on set. Our prayers to his family. @bertbelasco8 pic.twitter.com/nIOPiUQ6gh
— Reylynn Caster (@ReylynnCaster) November 10, 2020