He was a DJ who performed under the name desdun, as well as a celebrity chef. Despite her growing success as an actor and director, King said at the time that Ian was her biggest source of pride. On the Spotify for Desdun, the name Ian Alexander Jr performed under, the young artist was described as a Renaissance man of our time, he sings, produces, acts, paints and even is a celebrity chef., Desdun grew up in a musical household and grew to have a deep appreciation for all aspects of music including DJing, production and recording., Suicide prevention resources: You're Not Alone. Ians final post filled with messages of love, mourning. Reese Witherspoon wrote, Always remembering Ian and his bright spirit. Emma Mcintyre/Getty Images. performing live at Bardot on the 28th for@breakingsoundlaSave a buck and buy tickets in advance at the link in my bio.. But to have you as my mother is the greatest gift I could ask for. appreciated. Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian, King said in a statement shared with TODAY. "His spirit is the thread that connects us. "Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian," said King in a statement . "Happy birthday to my co, so extremely proud of you and inspired by your love, artistry and gangsta," he wrote. "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Garcelle Beauvais tweeted, "My heart breaks for you@ReginaKing Ian was sweet & kind. pic.twitter.com/kumP7kwm0J, Maralee Nichols & son hit the beach in new pics as dad Tristan remains absent, Mama June reunites with cancer-stricken daughter Anna for chemo session, Fans say Travis 'deleted flirty comment' on Kylie's pic as she 'dates' Timothee, Netflix bashed for massive glitch during failed attempt to livestream show, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Who was Regina Kings son Ian Alexander Jr. He is such a bright light who cared so deeply about the happiness of others. The post stated: Green Eyes out Friday. Ian Alexander Jr. took his own life Wednesday, according to law enforcement, the day he turned 26. "To be able to watch you take this lifetime by its neck and make it yours is something i will forever be grateful for. A million streams and Ill quit smoking. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Together, they have one son: Ian Alexander Jr., whopassed awayin 2022. "He is such a bright light who cared so deeply about the happiness of others. He is such a bright light who cared so deeply about the happiness of others. You dont know what unconditional love is. The two were very close, with Alexander Jr. often accompanying his mother on the red carpet. Regina King was an American actress and director who enjoyed one of the most rich and diverse careers of any performer in the 21st century; working consistently since she was a teenager, appearing . She began her career in the television show 227 (1985), followed by a role in Boyz n the Hood (1991). There were "more than two and half times as many suicides" in the US than there were homicides, according to the report. Ian was a DJ and singer-songwriter who performed under the name Desdun. In 2011, a few years after separating from Ians father, Regina toldEssence: I get emotional because my son is an amazing young man, and it took me to be a mother for me to realize how incredible of a woman she (my mother) is. 0:56. 2023 Cable News Network. Hear why. Regina King has paid tribute to her late son, Ian Alexander Jr., nearly one year after his death. Sending love light and prayers to Regina King and her family, Rosanna Arquette chimed in. Ian could be seen throughout the remainder of the interview smiling and drinking while mother Regina discusses career highlights. He loves writing about pop culture, trending topics, LGBTQ issues, style and all things drag. Discovery Company. CNN Regina King has paid tribute to her late son, Ian Alexander Jr., nearly one year after his death. In one of his last Instagram posts, Alexander Jr told fans my health is in your hands. Alexander Jr. King's only child, whom she shared with ex-husband Ian Alexander Sr. died by suicide, a spokesperson confirmed toThe Associated Press. Regina King 's son Ian Alexander Jr. has died by suicide, PEOPLE confirms. King previously told PEOPLE that he was "an amazing young man.". I pray that shes surrounded by love and healing energy.". I get emotional because my son is an amazing young man, and it took me to be a mother for me to realize how incredible of a woman [my mother] is, King said. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Ian Alexander Jr., son of Regina King, dies at age 26 "Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian," a family statement shared by a King spokesman said. To honor his life, King recorded a lantern lighting ceremony she participated in for his remembrance, calling him her "guiding light. Regina and Ian were married from 1997 until 2007. 8:03 PM EST, Sat January 22, 2022, Regina King releases statement after death of son. !, Regina on motherhood in Essence interview. He is such a bright light who cared so deeply about the happiness of others. It read: Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health problems, these organizations are here to provide support: Regina promoted her sons music just last week. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. One Night in Miami is a movie based on a play of the same name, and premiered at the Venice Film Festival on September 7, 2020. We are all in different places on the planetso is Ian," King wrote. Our family asks for respectful consideration during this private time. CNN Actor and director Regina King's son, Ian Alexander Jr., has died by suicide, her representative confirmed to CNN Saturday. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. His favorite celebrity profiles include Cher who said their interview was one of the most interesting of her career as well as Kylie Minogue, Candice Bergen, Patti Smith and RuPaul. We can all pitch in to help out others who may be suffering and help save lives. In 2011, the award-winning actress spoke of her unconditional love for her son. The award-winning actress asked for privacy in the hours after news broke that her son had tragically died. The actress and director posted a lovingtribute Thursday toher son, Ian Alexander Jr., who died a year ago at age 26by suicide. She began to be recognized by a mainstream audience after her role as Cuba Gooding Jr.'s character's wife in Jerry Maguire (1996). She needs all the grace and light that can flow her way right now., Praying for Regina King. Regina King BREAKS SILENCE On Her Son's Shocking Death Misstee 96.4K subscribers Subscribe 944 52K views 1 year ago #reginaking Regina King BREAKS SILENCE On Her Son's Shocking Death In. Actor and director Regina King's son, Ian Alexander Jr., has died by suicide, her representative confirmed to CNN. Regina King on Turning 50: 'I'm Much More Interesting Now', Regina King Honors Late Son Ian Alexander Jr., 1 Year After His Death: 'My Guiding Light', Regina King Steps onto the Red Carpet in First Public Appearance Since Her Son's Tragic Death, Regina King Once Spoke About What Her Late Son Ian Alexander Jr. Ian was due to perform at the Avalon Hollywood Bardot on January 28. He was also a celebrity chef who told Flaunt Magazine in May 2021 that he hoped to develop his private dinner parties into a restaurant. In an interview with USA TODAY in2018, the "Watchmen" actress shared that she and her son were extremely close, detailingthey had matching tattoos on their forearms reading "unconditional love" in Aramaic, which they learned while studying Kabbalah together. The Oscar-winning actress, 51, confirmed her only child's death in a statement on Friday in which she branded Ian a "bright light who cared so deeply about the happiness of others.". ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Download the TMZ App on the Apple App Store, Download the TMZ App on the Google Play Store. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. More than 6,000 British military personnel will take part in the coronation of King Charles III, the U.K. forces' biggest ceremonial deployment in seven decades, the government said Sunday. Allegedly Exploited Womans Altered State. Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand follow us from our main Twitter account at@TheSunUS, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Ian Alexander Jr died days after his 26th birthday, Alexander Jr tweeted 'I don't think Instagram is healthy for me' - days before his death, Alexander Jr posted on Instagram 'My health is in your hands', Regina spoke of her 'unconditional love' for her son in 2011, Heartbreaking last pics of Regina Kings son Ian show him raising a toast with mom during interview weeks before suicide, Regina Kings son Ian Alexander Jrs final tragic tweets reveal mental health fears before suicide days after birthday, Duggar fans think Jessa is pregnant with FIFTH child as she shows off big baby bump in video of family's new home, Sister Wives fans accuse Kody Brown of playing the victim & slam him for saying Christines betrayal led to divorce, Teen Mom Chelsea Houska accused of 'violating' court order by hiding documents in $3M lawsuit with ex-business partner. King said: "We were taking Kabbalah classes. Sending you more, adding a heart emoji. / CBS News. "You don't know what unconditional love is. But when you experience it, it is the most fulfilling ever. Ian Alexander Jr. was often by his mom's side on red carpets for awards shows. As we still process his physical absence, we celebrate his presence," King, 52, wrote in the caption of an Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian. Regina King Makes Her First Public Appearance Since Her Son's Passing . And, in a separate post,Alexander Jrsaid: I dont think Instagram is healthy for me.. Alexander was the only son of King and her ex-husband Ian Alexander. To be all that you are while always having the time to be there, love and support me unconditionally is truly remarkable. He is such a bright light who cared so deeply about the happiness of others. Thank you.". ", A post shared by Regina King (@iamreginaking), The Academy Award winner ended her post by saying her "absolute favorite thing" about herself is being Alexander's mother, adding, "Continue shine bright, my guiding light. "He is such a bright light who cared so deeply about the happiness of others." By Associated Press Jan 22, 2022, 12:30pm PDT Leanne Italie He was a DJ and singer-songwriter who performed under the name Desdun. To be all that you are while always having the time to be there, love and support me unconditionally is truly remarkable.". The 52-year-old Oscar winner took to Instagram for the first time since Ian died in January 2022 to honor her late son's "worthday" on what would have . A musician and DJ, Ian Alexander performed under the name desdun, according to his Instagram page. Several celebs have rallied around the actor in her time of grief, including Rosanna Arquette, Kid Cudi and Pam Grier. 0:00. Actress Regina King got emotional after learning some surprising facts about her family during an episode of PBS' "Finding Your Roots." The show's host, Henry Louis Gates Jr., informed King. He was an accomplished musician and DJ who performed as Desdun and had released a new single, Green Eyes, shortly before his passing. He was a DJ and singer-songwriter who performed under the name Desdun. Ian Alexander Jr., the only child of award-winning actor Regina King, died by suicide at the age of 26, a representative for the family said Saturday as support flooded in from social media .