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Lee Thompson Young

What is lee thompson young?

· Emily Grant

Key facts

Full name Lee Thompson Young[1]
Birth date February 1, 1984[1]
Death date August 19, 2013[1]
Major roles The Famous Jett Jackson, Friday Night Lights, Rizzoli & Isles[1]
Cause of death Self-inflicted gunshot wound[1]

Lee Thompson Young was an American actor best known for starring in *The Famous Jett Jackson* and as Barry Frost on *Rizzoli & Isles* [1]. His death in 2013 brought attention to mental health issues in the entertainment industry, and his legacy continues to inspire conversations about bipolar disorder and depression [1].

Context

Lee Thompson Young was an American actor born in Columbia, South Carolina, on February 1, 1984 [1]. He rose to fame as the titular star of *The Famous Jett Jackson* (1998–2001) and later appeared in *Friday Night Lights* and *Rizzoli & Isles* [1]. He died on August 19, 2013, in Los Angeles; police confirmed his death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound [1]. He had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was suffering from depression at the time [1]. His death sparked discussions about mental health in Hollywood, and his story is often cited in awareness campaigns to reduce stigma around seeking help for mental illness [1]. For those affected by similar struggles, resources such as the Canadian Mental Health Association and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health provide support and information on bipolar disorder and depression.

Documented claims

  • Lee Thompson Young began his acting career as a teenager. [1]
  • He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and suffered from depression before his death. [1]

Questions and answers

What happened to Lee Thompson Young on Rizzoli & Isles?

He died by suicide on August 19, 2013; police confirmed the cause as a self-inflicted gunshot wound [1].

What was Lee Thompson Young's diagnosis?

He had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and was suffering from depression before his death [1].

Why did Lee Thompson Young leave Rizzoli?

He left the show due to his death; he had been struggling with depression and bipolar disorder [1].

Sources

  1. Lee Thompson Young Movies & TV Shows List | Rotten Tomatoes — rottentomatoes.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in People