Alexis Arquette, Transgender Actress and Activist, Dies at 47
Transgender actress and activist Alexis Arquette, best known for her performance as a Boy George impersonator in the Adam Sandler comedy “The Wedding Singer,” has died at the age of 47, according to her brother Richmond Arquette. She is survived by her siblings Patricia, Rosanna, David, and Richmond Arquette. As of now, her cause of death has not been confirmed.
READ MORE: Patricia Arquette Reveals She Lost Work by Advocating for Equal Pay for Women
Richmond posted the following statement on Facebook: “Our brother Robert, who became our brother Alexis, who became our sister Alexis, who became our brother Alexis, passed this morning September 11, at 12:32 am. He was surrounded by all of his brothers and sisters, one of his nieces and several other loved ones. We were playing music for him and he passed during David Bowie’s ‘Starman.’ As per his wishes, we cheered at the moment that he transitioned to another dimension.”
“He was a force,” Richmond continues. “He died as he lived, on his own terms. I am immensely grateful that it was fast and painless. It was an incredible moving experience and I am humbled and grateful to have been able to have been with him as he began his journey onward. Thank you, Alexis, I love you and will always love you.”
Aside from “The Wedding Singer,” Arquette had a starring role as a drug addict in “Jumpin’ at the Boneyard” opposite Tim Roth. She also had supporting roles in the comedy “Threesome” and the horror film “Bride of Chucky,” as well as small roles in many films, including “Last Exit to Brooklyn,” “Ghost Brigade,” and “Pulp Fiction.”
Arquette documented her transition in the film “Alexis Arquette: She’s My Brother,” which premiered at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival. Watch some footage and outtakes from the film below.
READ MORE: Patricia Arquette on Why She Needed to Make ‘Boyhood’ and Why It Was So Weird to Watch It
Arquette often acknowledged it was easier for her to transition being from a famous family, compared to other cultures and parts of the world where being transgender was illegal and could result in death. As result Arquette was a vocal activist and visible leader in the transgender community.
Check out the tributes from sister Patricia Arquette and Boy George below.
Breaking through the veil singing StarMan https://t.co/A3way5S3Lb
— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) September 11, 2016
R.I.P my sister Alexis Arquette. Another bright light gone out far too soon. Love to the family and all that loved Alexis.
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) September 11, 2016
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