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.

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