A Different World Star Lou Myers Dead at 77
Lou Myers, best known for playing Mr. Vernon Gaines on the '80s sitcom A Different World, died Tuesday, TMZ reports. He was 77.
The president of Myers' non-profit organization told the site that he passed away late Tuesday night in West Virginia following a heart-related emergency. His heart stopped and although doctors were able to revive him, he fell into a coma and died hours later.
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Myers had been hospitalized several weeks ago after he collapsed at home. Before that, he was hospitalized in December for pneumonia, but was released after New Year's.
Born in Chesapeake, W. Va., Myers got his big break as understudy in the Broadway play The First Breeze of Summer in 1976. He appeared twice on The Cosby Show before landing on its spin-off, A Different World, which ran from 1988-1993. He continued to enjoy guest-star turns on shows like Living Single, ER and NYPD Blue, and also recurred on 2003's All About the Andersons.
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On the big screen, Myers was best known for his roles in Volcano, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Tin Cup and The Wedding Planner. His most recent film credit was the 2010 Emma Roberts drama It's Kind of a Funny Story.
Although his IMDB page lists his age as 67 years old, TMZ reports that Myers was 77, according to official records.
Myers, who served in the Army, will receive a military burial in West Virginia. He is survived by his mother and his son.