Fast Links
Queer Eye star Tom Jackson is dead. Tom Jackson died on March 3 at the age of 63, according to Queer Eye’s social media accounts. The reality star battled cancer before he passed on. Get more details below.
Queer Eye Star Tom Jackson Is Dead
Tan France and Jonathan Van Ness mourn their loss as Queer Eye star Tom Jackson dies.
Queer Eye’s social media accounts announced that Tom Jackson is dead. The TV star also appeared on the show’s very first episode.
“It’s with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to a member of our Queer Eye family,” read the show’s March 8 post, accompanied by several snapshots of Tom on the show. “Rest in peace, Tom Jackson.”
Tan reacted to the news in an Instagram comment, writing, “Such incredibly sad news,” while his fellow Fab Five member Jonathan added, “RIP Tom” with a red heart emoji.
Tom’s obituary states that he died after a battle with metastatic adenocarcinoma. It’s a gland cancer that spreads to other parts of the body, according to the National Cancer Institute.
In lieu of flowers, the obituary asks to “please watch season 1, episode 1 of Queer Eye on Netflix and tell others about it in honor of Tom,” who his family “will never forget.”
The obituary shared that Tom brought “joy, humor, persistence, and love to our family,” and was “special” to everyone. The obituary ended with the Queer Eye family saying they hope to see him again “one day.”
According to the obituary, Tom is survived by his daughter Katie (RJ.) Phelps. He also had grandsons Chandler and Watson Phelps and sisters Kozetta (Jeff) Stewart and Jackie Lynn Childers.
The Fab 5 Launched The Queer Eye Show With Tom Jackson
Queer Eye launched on Netflix as a reboot of Bravo’s self-named series on February 7, 2018. It features a cast of experts called the “Fab Five,” Antoni Porowski, Tan France, Karamo Brown, Bobby Berk, and Jonathan Van Ness.
Tom was also featured in season one of the show’s 2018 reboot in an episode titled “You Can’t Fix Ugly.” There, he opened up about his battle with lupus.
After undergoing his makeover, Tom walked away from the show with newfound self-love. He, soon rekindled his relationship with ex-wife Abby Parr, but they separated again in 2019, according to E! News.
Tom’s experience on the show became a “highlight of his life,” Tom’s obituary read. It added, “He enjoyed the notoriety and shared his experience with whoever would listen!”
Tom was also outspoken about the show on Twitter, writing that he stayed true to himself while on it.
“I love all the guys of the Fab 5,” he said. “I think they all enjoyed working with me.”
Moreover, Queer Eye star Tom Jackson was a beautiful soul who brought happiness to his friends. There is no doubt that he will be missed.