UPDATE: Max Brantley of the Arkansas Times just e-mailed MrsGrapevine.com to confirm the death of E. Lynn Harris. He also provided these additional details from Laura Gilmore, publicist:
I talked with his assistant Laura Gilmore, as did the AP. I believe Arkansas Sports 360′s report came from University of Arkansas athletic officials. This is from AP:
A publicist for E. Lynn Harris says the author has died at age 54.
Publicist Laura Gilmore says Harris died Thursday night after being stricken while at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills. Gilmore says a cause of death had not yet been determined. A coroners’ official in Los Angeles said only that a man matching Harris’ name and date of birth had died Thursday night at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
UPDATE: Essence.com has also posted a story on the death of E. Lynn Harris, but no official statement has been released, yet.
Renown author E. Lynn Harris passed away on Friday, July 24, at the age of 54, according to the Arkansas Times.
The celebrated author’s personal assistant confirmed that his health had declined but would not provide any details as to what caused his death. Harris was in the middle of a West Coast book tour. His best-selling novels such as “Invisible Life” depicted African-American gay community in a unique way and exposed the down-low phenomenon of athletes.
There is only one news source reporting E. Lynn Harris death, so until I get more confirmations, this will be posted as unconfirmed. E. Lynn Harris rep has not been able to verify, so this just may be a bad rumor. As soon as someone responds or release a statement I will update this post.
According to local Arkansas newspapers, E. Lynn Harris, the famed openly gay African-American writer dies at age 54, from health issues. Originally Harris was suffering health complications during a West Coast Book Tour, but just minutes ago Arkansas Sports 360 has confirmed his death. No word on what those complications are.
We owe the word down low to Mr. Harris, because he certainly made it a household name. Harris famed books were often controversial and revealed a secret world of gay black men, married to women. Harris had trouble finding a publisher for his first book, Invisible Life, so he published it himself. Since, five of his books have made the New York Times Best Seller’s List.
- Invisible Life (1991 Self Published – 1994 Mass Marketed)
- Just As I Am (1995) *
- And This Too Shall Pass (1997)
[Thanks]
Similar Posts:
- Confirmed: Michael Jackson Died Of Heart Attack June 25, 2009 – Dead At Age 50
- Ed McMahon Dies @ 86 yrs. old!
- Brittany Murphy Dies From Cardiac Arrest; Alaina Reed Hall Loses Battle To Breast Cancer
Digg
StumbleUpon
del.icio.us
Facebook
Twitter
Google Bookmarks
Global Grind
Google Buzz
Cotten Kandi
Comment made on 07/24/2009 @ 10:38
Likes It or Hated It:
0 
0
Wow!I read one of his books, I can’t remember which one at this point but I do remember it did in fact touch on down low brothers! So sad. What is it with all these men passing away in their 50′s. Still so young.
[Reply to this comment]
Orsayor L. Young Simmons
Comment made on 07/24/2009 @ 11:22
Likes It or Hated It:
0 
0
Rest in peace…. You will be missed.. thanks for giving me a great love of books… I love you..
[Reply to this comment]
Regina
Comment made on 07/24/2009 @ 12:03
Likes It or Hated It:
0 
0
I heard this on the radio not long ago. I was not a fan or reader of his books but I did know of him. 54 is young.
RIP, Mr. Harris.
[Reply to this comment]
MrsGrapevine
Comment made on 07/24/2009 @ 13:23
Likes It or Hated It:
0 
0
@ Regina:
I wasn’t a big fan, but I was in college when his books hit, and everyone was reading them. It’s like pop culture for college, another memory and icon gone.
[Reply to this comment]
Confirmed: Author E. Lynn Harris Dies Age 54; Famed Author Dead At 54 | Generation-Hiphop
Pingback made on 07/24/2009 @ 13:32
Likes It or Hated It:
0 
0
[...] See original here: Confirmed: Author E. Lynn Harris Dies Age 54; Famed Author Dead At 54 [...]
shawn
Comment made on 08/23/2009 @ 20:51
Likes It or Hated It:
0 
0
I cant believe..He was my favorite author. I have read all his books even his biography..They were all wonderful. He will definately be missed
[Reply to this comment]
Monica
Comment made on 10/09/2009 @ 15:59
Likes It or Hated It:
0 
0
I loved reading his books. Once I got started, it was hard not to continue. You will be deeply missed. i just purchased the last book he wrote, “Mama Dearest”. I’m sure it is just as good as the rest. We love you.
Gone but never forgotten!
[Reply to this comment]