Death of Charlbi Dean shocks co-stars

Triangle Of Sadness star was only 32

by Jennie Kermode

From left, Harris Dickinson, Ruben Östlund and Charlbi Dean
From left, Harris Dickinson, Ruben Östlund and Charlbi Dean Photo: Richard Mowe

Friends and colleagues have been left reeling today after the death of rising star Charlbi Dean from a sudden illness, at the age of just 32.

The South African actor starred alongside Woody Harrelson in Triangle Of Sadness, which won the Palme D'Or at Cannes this year and is due to screen at Fantastic Fest later this month. Ruben Östlund, who also appears in the film, said "Charlbi had a care and sensitivity that lifted her colleagues and the entire film crew," and described her death as "a shock and a tragedy."

Dean had also won a fan following for her role as Syonide in the series Black Lightning and appeared in a number of additional films including Don't Sleep, Spud and Blood In The Water. She began a career as a model at the age of just six and had long been keen to move into acting.

Dean was in hospital in New York City at the time of her death. it is understood that she had been suffering from a viral lung infection but the exact cause of death is yet to be determined. She was vulnerable to lung respiratory diseases following a car accident in 2009 which caused serious injury to her left lung. She leaves behind her fiancé, fellow model Luke Volker.

Share this with others on...
News

Emma Stone gets physical in Cannes Lanthimos’ 'muse' on body language, equality and telling stories

Coppola, the fearless, has no regrets Megalopolis director values friendship more than personal fortune

Miller still a playful child at heart Furiosa director on the joys of technology, creating legends and eternal curiosity

Status 'protected' Cannes star Léa Seydoux 'From the beginning I worked with people who respected me - more or less'

Meryl crowned Queen of the Croisette Honorary Palme for Hollywood royalty as Cannes crowds and first nighters go wild for Streep

More news and features

We're bringing you all the excitement of the world's most celebrated film festival direct from Cannes



We're looking forward to Inside Out, the Muslim International Film Festival, the Tribeca Film Festival, Docs Ireland and the Fantasia International Film Festival.



We've recently covered Fantaspoa, Queer East, Visions du Réel, New Directors/New Films, the Overlook Film Festival, BFI Flare, the Glasgow Short Film Festival and SXSW.



Read our full for more.


Visit our festivals section.

Interact

More competitions coming soon.