President of Tyler Perry Studios Steve Mensch, 62, Killed in Plane Crash in Florida

Mar. 15, 2025

Steve Mensch on April 3, 2019 in Atlanta.Photo:Paras Griffin/Getty

Paras Griffin/Getty

Steve Mensch, the president of Tyler Perry Studios, was killed in a plane crash at age 62.

The Georgia-based film executive was piloting a small plane when it crashed on Friday, Dec. 6, at about 8 p.m. in Homosassa, Florida. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, it was a single-engine Vans RV12 and only Mensch was on board.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident.

“Steve was a cherished member of our team for more than eight years, and well beloved in the community of Atlanta," added the statement. “It is hard to imagine not seeing him smiling throughout the halls. We will miss him dearly. Our heart goes out to his family as we all send them our prayers.”

Bevy Smith and Steve Mensch on Jan. 26, 2019 in Park City, Utah.Ilya S. Savenok/Getty

Ilya S. Savenok/Getty

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Tyler Perryalso remembered Mensch in atributeshared on Instagram Dec. 7.

“This time of year, grief meets me like an unwanted visitor, astomorrow marks 15 years since the loss of my mother. It feels especially harder because I have lost so many friends and mentors this year, ranging in age from as young as 40 to 92. And today, yet another loss,” wrote theSix Triple Eightdirector, 55.

“I’ve been trying to understand this tragedy all day — what went wrong with that plane. Steve loved flying, and he loved that plane; he took so much pride in it,” added Perry. “Steve Mensch was truly a kind soul and a great leader at the studio. We all adored him and are devastated that he’s gone. I’m praying for his family as we all try to make sense of this heartbreak.“Perry concluded, “Life is but a moment; we are like vapors. Hold strong to the people you love AND TELL THEM!”

source: people.com