Thomas Jefferson Byrd, was an actor in the unofficial repertory company of Spike Lee movies. What Joseph Cotton was to Orson Welles, Byrd was for Spike. The “everyman” character actor. He was a part of the Black Arts Renaissance of Fort Greene in the 80s.

In GET ON THE BUS & RAY, I had the honor of sharing the screen with him. I can’t remember a time he wasn’t on the scene. What was more unique, were the late nights swinging to the music at St. Nick’s Jazz Club in Harlem. He loved that spot. In the wee small hours of the morning

Byrd was brave, funny, creative, country, smooth, expressive, and a joy to be around. He will be remembered for those iconic moments in films that make up a unique canon in American cinema. Another soulful brother gone.