Tyler Perry Studios’ president and general manager of studio operations, Steve Mensch, died in a plane crash on Friday evening, according to authorities.
Tyler Perry Studios expressed their deep sorrow over the loss of their close friend, Steve Mensch, in an email to CNN on Saturday. Steve was a beloved member of the Atlanta community and a valued team member for over 8 years. It is difficult to picture him not grinning in the hallways. We will miss him. We all offer our prayers and our hearts to his family.
His LinkedIn biography states that Mensch oversaw daily operations at Tyler Perry Studios, a 300-acre studio complex in Atlanta.
In a statement, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said, “I was deeply saddened to hear about the untimely death of Steve Mensch, the President and General Manager of Tyler Perry Studios.”
“He was a dependable friend and supporter of the Mayor’s Office of Film and Entertainment, in addition to playing a significant role in making Atlanta a top location for international film and television production.”
The mayor went on to say, “He was always willing to share his expertise and inspire others to pursue their passion, whether it was hosting national conferences or letting our interns tour the grounds of TPS.”
“What Tyler has built here is the only major motion picture studio on the East Coast,” Mensch told CNN during a 2019 tour of the studios.
Mensch said at the time, “The history on this property is immense,” describing how the studio he directed combined the old with the new. We have constructed a dozen cutting-edge sound stages and 40 buildings on the national registry since our founding in 1885.
“We have successfully incorporated the stages, leveraging a century of Hollywood history and best practices.” “We have the best of both worlds because we use the best technology in our infrastructure.”
Troops discovered Mensch dead at the scene of a collision in Citrus County, Florida, shortly after 8 p.m., according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Although the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office stated that Mensch, 62, of Fayetteville, Georgia, was the deceased man, the office does not identify Mensch.
According to a statement from the agency, “FHP Troopers responded to a single-engine fixed-wing aeroplane crash on West White Dogwood Drive near the intersection of US-98.” “A male adult passenger in the aircraft was declared dead at the scene of the collision.”
The Federal Aviation Administration did not specifically name Mensch but stated that the pilot was the only person on board the single-engine Vans RV12.
According to an email from the National Transportation Safety Board to CNN, an investigator was scheduled to visit the crash site on Saturday to start recording the scene and inspecting the aircraft.
Within 30 days, a first report on the crash is anticipated from the government.
Mensch said Perry, who created history by becoming the first African American to entirely own a major production company, “was a great leader at the studio and a truly kind soul.”
“What went wrong with that plane? I’ve been trying to understand this tragedy all day,” Perry wrote in a Saturday night Instagram post. Steve took a great deal of pride in that plane and liked flying.
We are all saddened by his passing because we loved him so much. We’re all trying to figure out this grief, and I’m praying for his family,” Perry continued.
“The film community in Georgia has experienced a significant loss,” stated Lee Thomas, the Georgia Film Office’s director. “Steve was a wonderful friend who left behind much more than just an outstanding resume. He was always ready to step in and lend a hand when required, and he had a wonderful sense of humour and real warmth.
Thomas continued, “He will be missed.”
Following Mensch’s passing, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp posted condolences on social media, calling him “a good man” and highlighting his contributions to the Peach State’s film industry.
“A decent man and a vital component of a studio Georgia is proud to call its own; his accomplishments improved our state and gave its citizens more opportunities,” Kemp stated on X.
“We will be praying for his loved ones and the entire Tyler Perry Studios team as they grieve this loss.”
