True Blood actor Nelsan Ellis dies aged 39

US actor Nelsan Ellis, who starred in the popular HBO series True Blood, has died aged 39 after complications from heart failure.

US actor Nelsan Ellis, who starred in HBO series True Blood, has died aged 39, according to the BBC.

Ellis, best known for playing flamboyant character Lafayette Reynolds in the horror-drama series, died after complications from heart failure.

"He was a great talent, and his words and presence will be forever missed," his manager Emily Gerson Saines told the Hollywood Reporter.

Ellis appeared in True Blood from 2008 until the series ended in 2014.

"We were extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Nelsan Ellis," HBO said in a statement on Saturday.

"Nelsan was a long-time member of the HBO family whose groundbreaking portrayal of Lafayette will be remembered fondly."

Ellis appeared regularly throughout the series of True Blood after first appearing as the cook at a local restaurant in 2008. He played the role of Lafayette, a charismatic gay medium who was able to contact ghosts.

He also featured alongside Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer in the film adaptation of Kathryn Stockett's novel The Help in 2011.

Also among those paying tribute to him were his True Blood co-stars Aisha Hinds, Michael McMillian, Lauren Bowles and Kristin Bauer.

Bauer wrote on Instagram: “One of the sweetest most talented men I’ve ever met. A terrible loss for all of us. Rest In Peace Nelsan. You will be missed. I don’t know how else to put words to this terribly sad news…”