President and general manager of studio operations at Tyler Perry Studios dies in plane crash
Steve Mensch, the president and general manager of studio operations at Tyler Perry Studios, tragically died in a plane crash Friday night in Citrus County, Florida. He was 62 years old and hailed from Fayetteville, Georgia, officials confirmed.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the crash occurred shortly after 8 p.m. when a single-engine Vans RV12 aircraft went down on West White Dogwood Drive near US-98. Mensch, the sole occupant of the plane, was pronounced dead at the scene. While the FHP initially did not release his name, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office later identified him as the victim.
Tyler Perry Studios expressed profound sorrow in a statement to CNN, remembering Mensch as a valued colleague and friend. “We are incredibly saddened by the passing of our dear friend, Steve Mensch, the statement read. “Steve was a cherished member of our team for more than 8 years and well-beloved in the Atlanta community. It is hard to imagine not seeing him smiling throughout the halls. We will miss him dearly. Our hearts go out to his family as we all send them our prayers.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that Mensch was the only individual aboard the aircraft. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the incident, with an investigator expected to visit the crash site on Saturday. A preliminary report on the crash is anticipated within 30 days.
Mensch oversaw the day-to-day operations of Tyler Perry Studios, a sprawling 300-acre facility in Atlanta. Under his leadership, the studio blended historical preservation with cutting-edge technology. In a 2019 interview with CNN, Mensch shared the significance of the studio, calling it the only major motion picture studio on the East Coast. He highlighted its blend of old and new, noting that the history of this property is immense. Founded in 1885, we have 40 buildings on the national register, and we’ve built a dozen state-of-the-art sound stages.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp also paid tribute to Mensch on social media, calling him a good man whose contributions significantly advanced Georgia’s film industry. His achievements made our state better and brought more opportunities to its people, Kemp wrote. His loved ones and the entire Tyler Perry Studios team will be in our thoughts and prayers as they mourn this loss.
Mensch’s passing leaves a void in the entertainment industry, especially at Tyler Perry Studios, where his leadership and vision played a vital role in its success.
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