Steve Mensch, the president and general manager of Tyler Perry Studios, tragically passed away at the age of 62 in a plane crash on December 6, 2024.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash occurred near the intersection of Highway 19 and Longfellow St. in Homosassa, Florida. Mensch was the pilot of the single-seat plane, which went down on Friday night.
Mensch, a key figure at Tyler Perry Studios for over eight years, was beloved by colleagues and the Atlanta community.
The studio expressed deep sadness in a statement, saying, “We are incredibly saddened by the passing of our dear friend Steve Mensch. He was a cherished member of our team and will be deeply missed.”
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The plane, a single-engine Vans RV-12IS, was registered to Mensch at his home in Fayetteville, Georgia. Investigations are underway by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
In a heartfelt tribute, Tyler Perry shared his grief on Instagram, saying, “Steve loved flying, and he loved that plane; he took so much pride in it.”
Perry described Mensch as a “kind soul” and a “great leader” at the studio, offering his prayers to Mensch’s family and expressing the collective heartbreak of the team.
Mensch’s passing marks a significant loss for Tyler Perry Studios and the many people who knew him as a colleague and friend.