Tyler Perry Studios President Steve Mensch passed away at the age of 62 following a tragic plane crash on Friday night in Florida.
Mensch – who was also director of general operations – was piloting a single-seat plane when it crashed on a highway in the city of Homosassa, TMZ reported on Saturday.
Police told local media that the accident occurred on West White Dogwood Drive, near US Highway 98.
The cause of the plane crash is currently being investigated.
Steve is survived by his wife as well as his three children.
In a statement to DailyMail.com, Tyler Perry Studios said: “We are incredibly saddened by the passing of our dear friend, Steve Mensch.”
Tyler Perry Studios President Steve Mensch (pictured) has passed away at the age of 62 following a tragic plane crash on Friday night in Florida.
Mensch was piloting a single-seat plane when it crashed on a highway in the city of Homosassa, TMZ reported Saturday; Perry spotted earlier this month in Los Angeles
“Steve was a beloved member of our team for over 8 years and well-liked in the Atlanta community.”
The statement concluded: “It’s hard to imagine not seeing him smiling in the hallways.” We will miss him very much. “Our hearts go out to his family as we all send them our prayers.”
Steve had been president of Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta since 2016, after the actor himself initially acquired the 330-acre lot in 2015.
The studio is located on the former Fort McPherson military base and contains 40 buildings, 12 sound stages, as well as 200 acres of vegetation and grounds.
A variety of filming sets are also available, including the White House, baseball fields, a courtroom, a historic district, mansions, a police station, and restaurants.
During a past interview for the study websiteMensch had been described as “one of the most influential people in the film and television production industry in Georgia.”
“He has executive experience in operations, strategic planning, budgeting, business development and marketing at some of the largest companies in the industry.”
The conversation appeared to have taken place amid the studio’s transition from Greenbrier to Fort McPherson.
The cause of the plane crash is currently under investigation, and everyone at Tyler Perry Studios is heartbroken over Mensch’s passing, they told TMZ; seen in 2019 in Atlanta
Steve is survived by his wife as well as his three children.
Steve reflected on expanding the studios to a former military base, which had been converted into a military post in 1867.
“The most humbling part of my job is being on the job every day,” Mensch said at the time. “The history that was made here and the decisions that affected the world from the buildings I walk by every day are, as I said, humiliating.”
He later expressed that, “with the lot spread over 330 acres and the historic district featuring forty buildings from around 1880, TPS has proven to be a unique practical location for filming.”
Steve added that in addition to Perry’s own projects, outside film and television productions, such as The Walking Dead, have also used the studio in Atlanta.
“As a major studio and with Tyler leading the vision, I expect us to constantly add services and offerings to meet the needs of creatives.”
Mensch also had the opportunity to share his thoughts on working alongside Tyler, known for projects such as Tyler Perry’s House Of Payne, Beauty In Black, Diary Of A Mad Black Woman and also Madea’s Family Reunion.
“For me, working for a creative person and leading the vision of creating a home for creatives is incredibly energizing.”
He went on to say that “Tyler Perry Studios is making history where history was made.”
Steve had been president of Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta since 2016, after the actor himself initially acquired the 330-acre lot in 2015; Perry seen above in 2020 at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta
Before becoming president of Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Steve was president of Third Rail Studios in 2016, according to its official. LinkedIn page.
Mensch was also previously president and CEO of Qingdao Oriental Movie Industrial Park/Wanda Studios Qingdao, located in China.
He also worked as director of studio and location operations and director of strategic production partnerships for Turner Broadcasting in Atlanta for nine years.
In 1985, Steve graduated from the University at Buffalo with a Bachelor of Science: Business Administration and Management, General.