The entertainment world is in mourning following the tragic plane crash that took the life of Steve Mensch, President of Tyler Perry Studios. This heartbreaking incident has left his family, colleagues, and the industry reeling.
- December 9, 2024
AceShowbiz - This past week has been one of profound sorrow for media mogul Tyler Perry and the team at Tyler Perry Studios. Steve Mensch, the beloved President and general manager of operations at the Atlanta-based studio, passed away tragically at the age of 62 in a plane crash in Florida.
The single-engine Vans RV12 aircraft, piloted by Mensch himself, crashed in Citrus County, Florida, late Friday night, December 7. He was the only person on board, and investigators are currently working to determine what went wrong.
Perry, who was deeply affected by the loss, expressed his grief on social media. "This time of year, grief meets me like an unwanted visitor, as tomorrow marks 15 years since the loss of my mother. It feels especially harder because I have lost so many friends and mentors this year, ranging in age from as young as 40 to 92," he shared.
Perry continued, emphasizing the personal connection he had with Mensch, "I've been trying to understand this tragedy all day - what went wrong with that plane. Steve loved flying, and he loved that plane; he took so much pride in it. Steve Mensch was truly a kind soul and a great leader at the studio. We all adored him and are devastated that he's gone. I'm praying for his family as we all try to make sense of this heartbreak."
Mensch joined Tyler Perry Studios in 2016 after the company acquired the former Fort McPherson Army Base in Atlanta. His leadership and vision were instrumental in transforming the studio into a powerhouse in the entertainment industry.
He previously held prominent positions at various esteemed organizations, including Third Rail Studios, Qingdao Oriental Movie Industrial Park, Turner Broadcasting, Feature Systems Inc, AT&T, and Embassy Suites.
Steve Mensch is survived by his wife and three children. The impact of his passing is felt not only by his immediate family but also by the entire community he served. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp acknowledged the significant contributions Mensch made, "A good man and an instrumental part of a studio Georgia is proud to call its own, his achievements made our state better and brought more opportunities to its people. His loved ones and the entire Tyler Perry Studios team will be in our thoughts and prayers as they mourn this loss."
In the face of this difficult time, Perry's words resonate with a poignant reminder to us all, "Life is but a moment; we are like vapors. Hold strong to the people you love AND TELL THEM!"
