Actress and model Charlbi Dean dead at 32

August 30, 2022August 30, 2022 Editor

When Triangle of Sadness won the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Charlbi Dean said she “had the best year making this [movie] during one of the darkest times in my life.”

Actress and model Charlbi Dean died suddenly at age 32.

A rep for Dean — who stars in the upcoming film Triangle of Sadness, which won the Cannes Film Festival’s highest honor, the Palme d’Or, this year — told TMZ that she died Monday in New York City from an unexpected and sudden illness. The illness has not been disclosed.

The South African-born actress was active on her social media, with her final post shared several days ago. Dean posted a series of professional modeling pictures on Instagram.

Fans instantly paid tribute in the comments section. One commenter said, “Beautiful, rest in peace. You didn’t know who I was, but you were a huge inspiration to me. Thank you for being an inspiration to me.”
Another individual stated, “I’ve been following your work since I was a teen, and I used to see you in South African fashion magazines. It’s heartbreaking to see you depart so soon. Life doesn’t always make sense. Rest in peace, my friend.”

Dean released a trailer for Triangle of Sadness earlier this month, which will be released in the United States on October 7.

Dean plays model Yaya, a wealthy guest who is invited on a luxury cruise aboard a superyacht, but things go horribly wrong. In May, the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.

The actress acknowledged the film’s Cannes win on Instagram, writing at the time, “Congratulations our family we did it!!! @ruben_ostlund you’re the GOAT I’m forever thankful for you for trusting me to be apart of your genius and my dear @sinaostlund Can’t believe I had the best year making this during one of the hardest times in my life. Here’s some pics of the year in Sweden and Greece during the pandemic. Forever and always our @triangleofsadness family.”

Dean was known for roles in the 2010 South African film Spud and the superhero CW series Black Lightning.