Keith Jefferson, 'Django Unchained' Actor, Dead at 53

Acclaimed actor Keith Jefferson, known for his collaborations with director Quentin Tarantino in films like "Django Unchained," "The Hateful Eight," and "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," has sadly passed away at the age of 53, said The Hollywood Reporter.

His representative, Nicole St. John, confirmed his death, which occurred on Thursday. The actor had disclosed his cancer diagnosis in August.

In August, Keith Jefferson shared a message on his condition, stating, "Every now and then, God will give you a challenge and leave it up to you to fix it. When I was first diagnosed with cancer, I had to stop, pause and didn't want to share with anyone. Not my family nor extended family. Today, I'm finally at a place to share because my faith is getting stronger."

Keith Jefferson's Career

Keith Jefferson's career in the entertainment industry was marked by notable achievements.

He earned a BFA in musical theatre from the US International University/Performing Arts in San Diego, followed by an MFA in Acting from The University of Arizona in Tucson per the NY Post.

His career encompassed both touring and regional theatre, with roles including Jim in "Big River," the title role in "Othello," Officer James Bailey in "Superior Donuts," and the Reverend Avery Johnson in "The Piano Lesson," among others.

He contributed to the growth of aspiring actors by teaching an acting workshop at the Ah Haa School for the Arts in Telluride, Colorado, in 2015.

Reflecting on his workshop, Jefferson noted, "There are a lot of advanced actors who have talent and skills but don't know how to market themselves.

The workshop covers a wide range of abilities, novice, intermediate, or advanced; there's something you can grab from each phase of the workshop for your own craft and your own use in life."

He emphasized that the learning process never stops, even for experienced actors like himself.

Keith Jefferson's final role will be in Jamie Foxx's latest film, "The Burial," where he starred alongside Tommy Lee Jones, Jurnee Smollett, and Alan Ruck.

He expressed his excitement for the project on Instagram, calling it "a blessing" to work with such a talented cast.

Jamie Foxx Mourns Death of Longtime Friend

Jamie Foxx, who had a long-standing friendship and working relationship with Keith Jefferson, expressed his deep sorrow on Instagram, describing Jefferson as a person of "absolute grace" and "an amazing soul," PEOPLE noted.

Foxx shared his pain at the loss of his friend and mentioned that it would take a long time for the wounds to heal.

Foxx reminisced about their memories together since college, expressing his love and grief for his dear friend.

Keith Jefferson's contributions to Foxx's career extended back to 1998 when he appeared in two episodes of "The Jamie Foxx Show."

Keith Jefferson's impact on the entertainment industry and the hearts of those who knew him will be remembered with great fondness.

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Jamie Foxx reveals his Django Unchained co-star Keith Jefferson has passed away - From DXB MEDIA