Jahmil French, who played Dave Turner on Degrassi: The Next Generation, died on Monday, March 1, 2021, his agent Gabrielle Kachman confirmed to Variety. He was 29.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
“It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of a dear friend and client Jahmil French,” she said in a statement. “He will be remembered by many for his passion for the arts, his commitment to his craft, and his vibrant personality. I ask that you keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.”
A cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
Producer Joshua Safran tweeted about French’s death on Tuesday morning. “I can confirm my good friend, co-worker, and all around inspiration, Jahmil French, passed away yesterday,” he wrote. “Right now we’re all just processing this devastating news.”
I can confirm my good friend, co-worker, and all around inspiration, Jahmil French, passed away yesterday. Only posting because I see the story getting out there. I will have more to say about him later. Right now we’re all just processing this devastating news.
Safran worked with French on the short-lived Netflix series Soundtrack, a musical drama set in Los Angeles where French played Dante Mendoza, who works to adjust to life outside of prison.
French is best known for his role as Dave, who first entered the Degrassi universe in 2009 as a new student intent on achieving popularity. He stayed on the show until 2013 and, during that time, earned a Canadian Screen Award nomination.
Stefan Brogren, who played Archie "Snake" Simpson on Degrassi: Next Class and served as a series producer, paid tribute to French on Twitter. “He performed Dave with such sensitivity and thoughtfulness and could make me laugh so easily,” Brogren wrote. “It was a pleasure to work with him and he will be missed. This is a real loss. Rest In Peace.”
I’m sick with the news of Jahmil’s passing. He performed Dave with such sensitivity and thoughtfulness and could make me laugh so easily. It was a pleasure to work with him and he will be missed. This is a real loss. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/ZbCyqNulkC
Degrassi co-star Melinda Shankar, who played French’s primary love interest, Alli Bhandari, reflected on their time together: “So grateful for memories and deep convos with you, beautiful angel. Blessed that we got to be part of a big dysfunctional family together. Thank you for sharing your gift with the world. I just hope you knew how loved you were.”
So grateful for memories and deep convos with you, beautiful angel. Blessed that we got to be part of a big dysfunctional family together. Thank you for sharing your gift with the world. I just hope you knew how loved you were. pic.twitter.com/6upmYClo3r
"Jahmil was one of the most gifted and effortless performers I've ever met," Munro Chambers, known for Eli Goldsworthy on the show, tweeted. "His vibrant personality lit up the room. Rest easy my friend."
Jahmil was one of the most gifted and effortless perfomers I’ve ever met. His vibrant personality lit up the room. Rest easy my friend. ❤️
Christina Milian, who stared with Jahmil in Soundtrack, commented under his final instagram post, which was a selfie.
"You will be missed. Rest peacefully King," she wrote.
Degrassi: The Next Generation aired on The N/TeenNick in the U.S.
Jahmil made his TV debut in 2009 with a role on Canadian crime drama Flashpoint, which starred former Headstones singer Hugh Dillon and former Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Felicity actor Amy Jo Johnson.
He landed his Degrassi: The Next Generation role same year. He played Dave until 2013, and his acting was critically acclaimed, garnering him a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Performance in a Children's or Youth Program or Series in 2013.
Jahmil later found further acting success with the Canadian film Boost. He also received a Canadian Screen Awards nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 2018 for that role.
In Soundtrack, he starred alongside Jenna Dewan, Christina, Paul James of Greek and Madeleine Stowe.
NickALive! sends Jahmil's family and friends its heartfelt condolences at this time.
R.I.P. Jahmil French, July 29, 1991 – March 1, 2021.
@kevineastman86 & @BISHART answer fan questions at our In-House Private Signing. We had so many fantastic fan questions asked for this signing! Here's one sent in from @sveno_obex for Kevin Eastman:
"If you could go back and change anything in TMNT Issue #1, what would it be?" pic.twitter.com/PFLIl454NG
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Kids can have fun practicing basic early learning concepts with their favorite Nickelodeon characters with Nickelodeon: Write and Wipe: Learn with Us!, a brand new write-and-wipe book from Studio Fun International that has a handle, comes with a marker, and includes coloring and activity pages and stickers!
Nickelodeon Write & Wipe: Learn With Us! is set to be released on Tuesday, June 15, and carry's a list price of $12.99. The book can be pre-ordered here.
Product Details
Publisher: Studio Fun International (June 15, 2021)
Length: 60 pages
ISBN13: 9780794447717
Grades: P - K
Ages: 3 - 5
About The Author
For over 30 years, Studio Fun International has been creating fun and interactive book experiences for children. Working with our licensed partners, we create books that engage children beyond television and movies, taking beloved characters and using them to foster a love of reading, exploration, and creative expression. From adorably illustrated board books for toddlers to interactive play and movie theater sets to books made with special toys and mementos, we develop fun!
Wichita Falls, TX - COWABUNGA! Fans of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in or around Wichita Falls in Texas will be able to spot the heroes in a half-shell grace the skyline!
You can find these Turtley Awesome TMNT murals featuring Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael, right about Stone Oven Gourmet Pizza's downtown location. They invite you to come check them out this Thursday (March 4) at the Art Walk from 5-11pm! They will be having a local artist perform, plus deviance will having a skate demo!
It's currently unclear how long the murals are planned to stay on the exterior of the building. The Wichita Falls government (or whoever hates joy) previously forced the removal of Rick and Morty murals from downtown.
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“THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE ON THE RUN” AND “KAMP KORAL: SPONGEBOB’S UNDER YEARS” TO PREMIERE MARCH 4 ON PARAMOUNT+
“The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run” Will Also Be
Released on Premium Video-On-Demand for a Limited Time
The First Six Episodes of Paramount+ Original Series
“Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years” Will Be Available to Stream at Launch
Official Trailer for “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run” Released Today
Jan. 28, 2021 – Paramount+, the highly anticipated streaming service from ViacomCBS, today announced that both THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE ON THE RUN and all-new Paramount+ Original Series KAMP KORAL: SPONGEBOB’S UNDER YEARS will premiere on the service on Thursday, March 4. THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE ON THE RUN will also be released by Paramount Home Entertainment for Premium Video-On-Demand (PVOD) on the same day. The official trailer for THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE ON THE RUN was also released today in addition to the official key art for both the movie and KAMP KORAL: SPONGEBOB’S UNDER YEARS.
KAMP KORAL’s first six episodes will be available to stream beginning March 4 exclusively on Paramount+ for subscribers in the U.S. The rest of the season’s 13-episode order will roll out on the platform at later dates to be announced.
In addition to its availability on Paramount+, THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE ON THE RUN will be available on VOD platforms for a limited time at a suggested rental price of $19.99 in the U.S.
About THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE ON THE RUN:
In the first-ever all CGI SpongeBob motion picture event, THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE ON THE RUN, SpongeBob SquarePants, his best friend Patrick, and the Bikini Bottom gang star in their most epic adventure movie yet! When SpongeBob’s beloved pet snail Gary goes missing, a path of clues leads SpongeBob and Patrick to the powerful King Poseidon, who has Gary held captive in the Lost City of Atlantic City. On their mission to save Gary, SpongeBob and his pals team up for a heroic and hilarious journey where they discover nothing is stronger than the power of friendship.
From Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Movies, in association with MRC Film, THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE ON THE RUN is a United Plankton Pictures production. Directed and written by Tim Hill from a story by Tim Hill and Jonathan Aibel & Glenn Berger, the film features the voice talent of Tom Kenny, Awkwafina, Matt Berry, Clancy Brown, Rodger Bumpass, Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence, Mr. Lawrence, and Reggie Watts.
About KAMP KORAL: SPONGEBOB’S UNDER YEARS:
From Nickelodeon, KAMP KORAL: SPONGEBOB’S UNDER YEARS is the first-ever SpongeBob SquarePants spinoff. The CG-animated prequel series follows 10-year-old SpongeBob SquarePants and his pals during summer sleepaway camp where they spend their time building underwater campfires, catching wild jellyfish and swimming in Lake Yuckymuck at the craziest camp in the kelp forest, Kamp Koral.
KAMP KORAL: SPONGEBOB’S UNDER YEARS features Tom Kenny (SpongeBob), Bill Fagerbakke (Patrick), Rodger Bumpass (Squidward), Clancy Brown (Mr. Krabs), Carolyn Lawrence (Sandy) and Mr. Lawrence (Plankton) reprising their iconic roles. Carlos Alazraqui (Rocko's Modern Life, The Casagrandes) and Kate Higgins (Blaze and the Monster Machines) join as new characters Nobby and Narlene, narwhal siblings who live in the woods surrounding the camp.
Marc Ceccarelli (SpongeBob SquarePants), Vincent Waller (SpongeBob SquarePants) and Jennie Monica (SpongeBob SquarePants) are co-executive producers of the series. Production of KAMP KORAL: SPONGEBOB’S UNDER YEARS is overseen by Kelley Gardner, Vice President, Current Series Animation, Nickelodeon. The series is produced by Nickelodeon Animation Studio in Burbank, Calif.
About Paramount+
ViacomCBS’ existing subscription video-on-demand and live streaming service, CBS All Access, will be rebranded as Paramount+ on March 4, 2021 as part of the service’s expansion to feature content from ViacomCBS’ leading portfolio of broadcast, news, sports and entertainment brands. ViacomCBS will also bring Paramount+ to international markets with an initial debut in Australia, Latin America and the Nordics in 2021.
About Paramount Home Entertainment:
Paramount Home Entertainment (PHE) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. PPC is a unit of ViacomCBS (NASDAQ: VIAC; VIACA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. The PHE division oversees PPC’s home entertainment and transactional digital distribution activities worldwide. The division is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment content on behalf of Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Television Studios, Paramount Players, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and CBS and applicable licensing and servicing of certain DreamWorks Animation titles. PHE additionally manages global licensing of studio content and transactional distribution across worldwide digital distribution platforms including online, mobile and portable devices and emerging technologies.
* * *
THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE ON THE RUN | Official Trailer | Paramount Movies
SpongeBob SquarePants, his best friend Patrick, and the Bikini Bottom gang star in their most epic adventure movie yet! When SpongeBob’s beloved pet snail Gary goes missing, a path of clues leads SpongeBob and Patrick to the powerful King Poseidon, who has Gary held captive in the Lost City of Atlantic City. On their mission to save Gary, SpongeBob and his pals team up for a heroic and hilarious journey where they discover nothing is stronger than the power of friendship. Stay after the credits for an all-new mini-movie!
Featuring: Tom Kenny, Awkwafina, Matt Berry, Clancy Brown, Rodger Bumpass, Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence, Douglas Lawrence, Reggie Watts
THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE ON THE RUN | Official Trailer | Paramount Pictures
Premiering March 4.
Rent it from AppleTV, Prime Video, Vudu and other digital stores.
Also streaming on Paramount+.
SpongeBob SquarePants, his best friend Patrick, and the Bikini Bottom gang star in their most epic adventure movie yet! When SpongeBob’s beloved pet snail Gary goes missing, a path of clues leads SpongeBob and Patrick to the powerful King Poseidon, who has Gary held captive in the Lost City of Atlantic City. On their mission to save Gary, SpongeBob and his pals team up for a heroic and hilarious journey where they discover nothing is stronger than the power of friendship. Stay after the credits for an all-new mini-movie!
Featuring: Tom Kenny, Awkwafina, Matt Berry, Clancy Brown, Rodger Bumpass, Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence, Douglas Lawrence, Reggie Watts
SpongeBob “in many ways is the centerpiece of our strategy, pairing a beloved library with brand-new takes on beloved characters,” Brian Robbins, president of kids and family entertainment for ViacomCBS, said at an event to promote the company’s streaming services last week.
Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon and SpongeBob SquarePants News and Highlights!
