Up-and-coming actor Charlbi Dean Kriek has died aged 32.
The South African actor and model passed away yesterday from an "unexpected, sudden illness", her rep has said.
Charlbi was considered a rising star, having recently led the cast of the award-winning film Triangle of Sadness (2022) and previously appearing on the TV show Black Lightning.
It's understood that she is survived by her fiancé Luke Volker, whom she had announced her engagement to in a post on Instagram which she uploaded in April this year.
Charlbi is said to have passed away from a "sudden illness" and a source told TMZ that she died in a hospital in New York City. A cause of death has yet to be announced.
The actor is known for having played recurring character Syonide in the first two seasons of the CW's Black Lightning. She appeared in nine episodes of the show back in 2018.
Her character was a highly skilled assassin who had been trained by the show's main antagonist Tobias Whale, played by Marvin 'Krondon' Jones III. Syonide was later killed off.
Since appearing in the superhero drama - which is based on DC Comics characters - Charlbi has pursued more film projects, including the critically acclaimed Triangle of Sadness.
The film follows a celebrity couple - played by Charlbi and co-star Harris Dickinson - who are invited to join a luxury cruise for the wealthy, when "things begin to go wrong".
The project - which also stars Woody Harrelson - had its premiere at Cannes film festival earlier this year, where it received acclaim and won the prestigious Palme d'Or.
Her other credits include roles in action film Death Race 3: Inferno (2013), horror project Don't Sleep (2017) and drama film An Interview with God (2018).
She had made her acting debut in the South African film Spud (2010) and later returned in its 2013 sequel.
Tributes to been paid to Charlbi, with playwright Jeremy O'Harris tweeting: "[She] was such an exciting performer to me after seeing her in Triangle of Sadness.
"Her work had a vulnerability and intellect a lesser actor would have denied the character. A true talent and sending love to her family. RIP".
Whilst reporter Jacob Stolworthy responded to the news: "Charlbi Dean was a genuinely lovely person whose talent and warmth the world was about to discover."
Makeup artist Teri Tomsett said: "RIP you beautiful, talented girl. It was such an honour to have met you, let alone the priviledge of working with you. You inspired so many".
