King previously told PEOPLE that he was "an amazing young man.". Regina King's son, Ian Alexander Jr., died on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, TODAY has confirmed. Its really awesome to have a mother who I can enjoy spending time with.. REGINA King's son Ian Alexander Jr's final tweets revealed his mental health fears - days before he took his own life. Regina King's son, Ian Alexander Jr., stole hearts when he accompanied her to the 2019 Golden Globe Awards and called her a "super mom" in front of the cameras. "He is such a bright light who cared so deeply about the happiness of others. I think of you often. The statement, which was shared with multiple news outlets, read: Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian. Days before his death, Ian, 26, posted to Instagram about an upcoming event at Bardot this month. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Our family asks for respectful consideration during this private time. ", He signed the sweet post: "Love you mom! Regina King 's only son has tragically died. Regina King 's son Ian Alexander Jr. has died by suicide, PEOPLE confirms. Did you encounter any technical issues? I love you ," Niecy Nash-Betts commented. Dozens of Twitter users replied using broken hearts and praying emojis. TV star Regina King's son, Ian Alexander Jr, tragically died by a reported suicide just days before launching his music career. "We are all in different places on the planetso is Ian. Regina King is breaking her social media silence, ayear after her son's tragic death. ? he wrote. Ian Alexander, Jr was a DJ and singer-songwriter who performed under the name Desdun. "My lil Rock Star nephew," commented Taraji P. Henson, adding a string of heart emojis. 2. I always pray for your strength & peace in the midst of loss and grief. He had just released a single called Green Eyes that both he and his mother promoted online. US Surgeon General says 13 is too young to join social media. Thank you.". King on Instagram Thursday shared video of a lantern glowing in the sky on what would. This day and everyday YO DAY!! "Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian," a family . Did you encounter any technical issues? Throughout her career, King has been feted with many accolades including an Oscar and Golden Globefor "If Beale Street Could Talk," and several Emmys for "Watchmen," "American Crime" and "Seven Seconds. Last year, Alexander Jr. posted a tribute to his mother on her birthday, writing, "To be able to watch you take this lifetime by its neck and make it yours is something i will forever be grateful for. Actress Regina King got emotional after learning some surprising facts about her family during an episode of PBS' "Finding Your Roots." The show's host, Henry Louis Gates Jr., informed King. Get TMZ breaking news sent right to your browser! Actors Regina King and Michael Madsen both tragically lost their sons under shocking circumstances, within days of one another. As for tributes they are cascading in "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Garcelle Beauvais said, "My heart breaks for you @ReginaKing Ian was sweet & kind. Heartbreaking last photos show Alexander Jr raising a toast during a party. Social media users have posted messages of condolence underneath the tweets. This is why The-Sun.com launched the You're Not Alone campaign. He is such a bright light who cared so deeply about the happiness of others. His most recent single, "Green Eyes," was released on Jan. 7. Regina King's 26-year-old son, Ian Alexander Jr., has died, a spokesperson for the actor confirmed Saturday morning. Regina King on Turning 50: 'I'm Much More Interesting Now', Regina King Honors Late Son Ian Alexander Jr., 1 Year After His Death: 'My Guiding Light', Regina King Steps onto the Red Carpet in First Public Appearance Since Her Son's Tragic Death, Regina King Once Spoke About What Her Late Son Ian Alexander Jr. Our family asks for respectful consideration during this private time, it said. One Night in Miami is a movie based on a play of the same name, and premiered at the Venice Film Festival on September 7, 2020. LoveBScott was the first to report the news of Ian's death. "He is such a bright light who cared so deeply about the happiness of others. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Being a mom to Ian.". Regina King took Ian as date to the Emmys. To be able to watch you take this lifetime by its neck and make it yours is something i will forever be grateful for. Regina King Makes Her First Public Appearance Since Her Son's Passing . Regina Rene King (born January 15, 1971) [2] is an American actress and director. But when you experience it, it is the most fulfilling ever. In an episode of PBS' Finding Your Roots, actress Regina King discovered "unimaginable" details about her grandfather's life. Ian is the son of Ian Alexander Sr., who married Regina in 1997. There is also a crisis text line. Her most recent Emmy award came for her portrayal of Angela Abar in HBOs Watchmen. 12:16 PM EST, Fri January 20, 2023. He was also a budding celebrity chef who told Flaunt Magazine in May 2021 that he hoped to develop his private dinner parties into a restaurant. Ian Alexander Jrs tragic final Instagram posts, In anInstagrampost just days before he took his own life, Ian Alexander predicted his music career was about to blow up.. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. She also directed the 2020 film "One Night in Miami" She has won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, four Primetime Emmy Awards and two NAACP Image Awards over the course of her more than 30-year career. She toldEssenceat the time: I get emotional because my son is an amazing young man, and it took me to be a mother for me to realize how incredible of a woman she [her mother] is. Our family asks for respectful consideration during this private time. Regina King and her son, Ian Alexander Jr., in Los Angeles in 2019. Justin Theroux joined in with, Love you Regina. Paired with a throwback photo of him as a child with a friend and his mom by a pool, he simply wrote in the caption, "My joys .". Ian Alexander Jr. took his own life Wednesday, according to law enforcement, the day he turned 26. Help is there if you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health matters. Share. Regina and Ian were married from 1997 until 2007. Ian Alexander Jr, the only child of the Oscar-winning actor and director Regina King, has died. On the Spotify for Desdun, the name Ian Alexander Jr performed under, the young artist was described as a Renaissance man of our time, he sings, produces, acts, paints and even is a celebrity chef., Desdun grew up in a musical household and grew to have a deep appreciation for all aspects of music including DJing, production and recording., Suicide prevention resources: You're Not Alone. The statement read: "Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian. Several of Kings friends and industry colleagues shared their love and support. Of course orange is your favorite colorIts the fire and the calm. So pullup this month!! Regina King 's son Ian Alexander Jr. has died by suicide, PEOPLE confirms. King, an actress and director, confirmed Alexander Jr's death in a statement last week. Aside from acting, Regina King has also directed several episodes of various television shows, including Scandal andThis Is Us. Regina King is remembering her late son, Ian. 2. They appeared to be in good spirits, toasting one another, during a largefamilyparty. The post featured photos of Ian surrounded cigarettes with them in his hands, his mouth, and thrown in the air. "January 19th is Ian's Worthday. In 2011, the award-winning actress spoke of her unconditional love for her son. Regina King dedicates 1st Oscar win to James Baldwin By Carson Blackwelder Regina King marked her son Ian Alexander Jr.'s "worthday" -- the day he would have celebrated his 27th birthday -- in an emotional tribute on Thursday. He was Kings only child with record producer Ian Alexander Sr. On January 14, Alexander Jr, who was known as desdune online, tweeted: You know that episode of SpongeBob where they go inside his brain and its a bunch of mini spongebobs just losing their s**t yea that one really hits home.. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Before his tragic passing, Ian Alexander Jr would often accompany his famous mom to red carpet events. For more on Regina King's son Ian Alexander Jr., listen below to our daily podcast on PEOPLE Every Day. The son of actor and director Regina King, Ian Alexander Jr., has died by suicide, her representative confirmed to NBC News Saturday. Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian. In 2021, Ian Alexander Jr wrote a birthday post on Instagram celebrating mom Regina Kings 50th. [4] News on the red carpet of the 2019 Golden Globes. Our family asks for respectful consideration during this private time.". Suicide is a vital health concern in the U.S. One said: Praying for Regina, Ian Sr., and the entire family. On Twitter, famous friends and fans of Regina King vocalized support in the wake of her tragic loss. Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian, King said in a statement. She began her career in the television show 227 (1985), followed by a role in Boyz n the Hood (1991). In one of his last Instagram posts, Alexander Jr told fans my health is in your hands. And we drink in the spirit of inclusivity too.. Hear why. To have you as my mother is the greatest gift I could ask for, he wrote in an Instagram post. Our family asks for respectful consideration during this private time. ", Yes! Read our Ian Alexander blog for the latest news and updates Bernice King, lawyer, minister and daughter of Martin Luther King Jr, posted on Twitter to send condolences to Regina King and her family. Getty Images for dcp. Regina and her son would sometimes walk the red carpet together for events and it was apparent how proud she was of him. Ian Alexander Jr. and Regina King, wearing Gucci, attend the 2019 LACMA Art + Film Gala Presented By Gucci at LACMA on November 02, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. His 26th birthday was Wednesday. Regina King has also been rumored to have dated Nicholas Gonzalez and Curtis Baldwin in the past, but neither of these relationships were ever confirmed. . I get emotional because my son is an amazing young man, and it took me to be a mother for me to realize how incredible of a woman [my mother] is, King said. "Maaaan ListenI got this jam on repeat!" Actor and director Regina King's son, Ian Alexander Jr., has died by suicide, her representative confirmed to CNN. News, he said: She doesnt really let bad work days or anything come back and ruin the time that we have. She toldEssenceat the time: "I get emotional because my son is an amazing young man, and it took me to be a mother for me to realize how incredible of a woman she (my mother) is. Updated on: January 22, 2022 / 4:59 PM 0:56. 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