The president of Atlanta-based Tyler Perry Studios died Friday night when the small plane he was piloting crashed on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
The studio confirmed on Saturday that Steve Mensch, its 62-year-old president and general manager, had died.
“We are incredibly saddened by the passing of our dear friend, Steve Mensch. Steve was a cherished member of our team for more than 8 years, and well beloved in the community of Atlanta,” a statement read.
“It is hard to imagine not seeing him smiling throughout the halls. We will miss him dearly. Our heart goes out to his family as we all send them our prayers.”
No other fatalities have been reported during the plane crash at this time. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.
Prior to the tragic accident, Mensch managed “all of the day-to-day operations” at the famed Atlanta film studio, one of the largest production facilities in the country, where he worked since July 2016, according to his LinkedIn profile. The University of Buffalo grad previously held leadership roles at Turner Broadcasting and Third Rail Studios.
Perry’s namesake studio, sitting on a massive 330-acre lot on the grounds of the former Fort McPherson army base, has been instrumental in transforming Atlanta into a major hub for the entertainment industry.
The studio had just released “The Six Triple Eight,” a war drama about a mostly Black, all-female battalion in World War II. The film hit select theaters on Friday, the same day as Mensch’s death, and will be available for streaming later this month on Netflix.
Mensch is survived by his wife, Danila, and three children.