ACTOR Keith Jefferson has died at 53, his Django Unchained co-star and friend Jamie Foxx announced on Thursday.
Jefferson and Foxx acted side-by-side in the 2012 Quentin Tarantino film that earned two Academy Awards.
Foxx revealed the news in two heartbreaking Instagram posts.
"Everything hurts right now," the multi-talented artist wrote alongside a picture of himself and Keith embracing outside a private jet.
"Having a hard time looking through these pictures reliving the memories of us having a great time going to miss you man gonna miss you..."
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"Every since we met back in college, you have been in incredible soul God rest, NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE TO SEE THE WORDS ABOUT MY FRIEND RIP @keith.jefferson Keith," Foxx continued with heartbreaking emojis.
Earlier on Thursday, Foxx posted a picture showing him and Jefferson in the hospital with a third person close to the actor.
"This one hurts. Keith, you’ve been nothing but absolute grace, your whole life your heart is pure your love is immeasurable you were an amazing soul," Foxx wrote.
"We will all miss you dearly. It’s gonna take a long time for this to heal."
He added: "Goodbye, my friend. I love you."
In August, Jefferson confirmed on Instagram that he was battling cancer after keeping it private for some time.
"When I was first diagnosed with cancer I had to stop, pause, and didn’t want to share with anyone. Not my family nor extended family," the actor and producer wrote.
"Today I’m finally at a place to share because my faith is getting stronger."
He continued to thank those closest to him for their love and support, including Foxx.
"I have a loving family and the best friends in the entire world. You know who you are. From my Mom to J Foxx and everybody in between," Jefferson said.
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"I love you whole heartedly."
"We are cut from the same cloth and that cloth is the human condition. Remember…'faith is the last thing you can lose,'" he added.
Along with Django Unchained, Jefferson would go on to work with Quentin Tarantino in his 2019 movie Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt.
He had a small role in Foxx's Netflix vampire hunting movie from 2022, Day Shift.
Jefferson also worked with his best friend, Foxx, in what will subsequently be his final role in the upcoming Amazon Prime film The Burial, about a funeral home owner, played by Tommy Lee Jones, trying to save his business from a corporate takeover.
The Burial premieres in select theaters on Friday and will be accessible on the streaming service October 13.
Jefferson also ran an acting course on the side when not pursuing his own endeavors, according to his website.
It's unclear what type of cancer the 53-year-old was diagnosed with before his untimely death.
