FLORIDA, USA — The president of Tyler Perry Studios died in a plane crash Friday night in Homosassa, Fla., according to the Citrus County Sheriff's Office and a Tyler Perry Studios spokesperson.
Deputies said that a small-engine aircraft went down around 8:15 p.m. along Highway 19 and Longfellow Street near the Village Cadillac Dealership.
Stephen Mensch, 62, was identified as the sole occupant of the plane and was pronounced dead at the scene. Mensch, a Fayetteville, Ga., resident, was a key figure in Georgia’s film industry and led operations at the Atlanta-based Tyler Perry Studios.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
Tyler Perry released the following statement himself on Instagram:
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp shared condolences on social media, praising Mensch’s contributions to the state’s film industry and describing him as “a good man and an instrumental part of a studio Georgia is proud to call its own.”
Mensch played a critical role in transforming Tyler Perry Studios into one of the nation’s largest production facilities. Located on the historic Fort McPherson campus, the studio has become a hub for major productions, generating significant economic impact and positioning Georgia as a leader in film and television.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
