Steve Mensch, the president and general operations manager at Tyler Perry Studios, tragically passed away in a single-seater plane crash in Florida on Friday, as reported by a source close to the studios via TMZ. He was 62 years old. Highway Patrol Troopers informed local media that they attended the fatal crash site in Homosassa, a location near the Gulf Coast. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Mensch had been serving as the president of Tyler Perry Studios since 2016, according to his LinkedIn profile, where he detailed his oversight of operations at Perry’s expansive 300-acre studio in Atlanta. He had also become a prominent figure in the Georgia business community.

Tyler Perry Studios issued a statement expressing their profound grief over the news. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend, Steve Mensch,” a representative from Tyler Perry Studios stated, as reported by Deadline. “Steve was a beloved member of our team for over 8 years and was greatly admired in the Atlanta community. His presence and smile will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”

Mensch leaves behind his wife and three children. His untimely death occurred shortly after Perry was honored at the Paley Center for Media’s annual fall gala. The 55-year-old “Madea” star was celebrated for his accomplishments as an actor, writer, director, producer, philanthropist, and the founder of Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta.

Oprah Winfrey, 70, took the stage to pay tribute to her longtime friend during the event. “I am truly delighted to be here tonight, and I mean that sincerely, as I don’t often attend events, but tonight I am here because I get to speak about my big little brother,” the talk show host said. “He is a towering figure, not just in his 6’6″ physical presence, but in the size of his soul. His spirit is immense, guided by a higher power.”

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