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Actor Bert Belasco found dead in Henrico hotel room

Posted at 2:10 PM, Nov 09, 2020
and last updated 2020-11-09 17:48:38-05

RICHMOND, Va. -- Bert Belasco, an actor known for his starring role as Charles Whitmore in the BET comedy "Let's Stay Together," was found dead in a Henrico hotel room Sunday, first reported by TMZ and later confirmed by Henrico Police.

"On November 8, 2020, the Henrico County Police Division responded to a hotel located in the 1000 block of Virginia Center Parkway for a medical emergency. Upon arrival, first responders found an adult male, later identified as 38-year-old Bert Belasco III, of Woodland Hills, Calif., deceased," a Henrico Police spokesperson wrote in an email. "Hotel staff, who had received a call to check on Mr. Belasco’s welfare when family and friends could not reach him, called the Division’s Emergency Communications Center at 2:52 a.m. Mr. Belasco was pronounced on scene."

The actor's father told TMZ his son was in Virginia for an acting role and he had been under quarantine at a hotel before getting to work.

He said it appeared his son died of an aneurysm, but he was waiting for the results of an autopsy.

"As with all death investigations, Henrico Police detectives are working closely with the Commonwealth of Virginia Medical Examiner’s Office," the email from police continued. "Though still in the early stages of investigation, there are no signs of foul play, and the circumstances of the case do not appear to be suspicious."

As word of Belasco's death spread, past co-stars and friends are sharing their feelings on social media.

"Heartbroken at the passing of Bert Belasco," Jackee Harry posted on social media. "A talented, kind young man who I had the pleasuring of working with numerous times on #LetsStayTogether. Squeeze your loved ones tight! Tomorrow is never promised."

"I gutted by this news. Bert was my friend! We had JUST talked last week," Yvette Nicole Brown wrote. "He was happy and excited about his new project and all the good that was to come."

Henrico Police have been asked to provide additional information about the investigation into Belasco's death.

This story will be updated as new information is confirmed.

This is a developing story.

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