Steve Mensch, President and General Manager of Studio Operations at Tyler Perry Studios, tragically died in a plane crash on Friday evening, as confirmed by officials.
The Florida Highway Patrol reported finding Mensch, 62, deceased at the crash site in Citrus County, Florida, though they did not initially name him. The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office later identified him as the victim.
The crash involved a single-engine Vans RV12 aircraft, which went down near West White Dogwood Drive and US-98. Mensch was the sole occupant of the plane.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board are examining the site, with a preliminary report expected within 30 days.
Tyler Perry Studios released a statement expressing deep sorrow, highlighting Mensch’s contributions over his eight years with the company and his impact on Atlanta’s community.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp also paid tribute, acknowledging Mensch’s role in advancing the state’s film industry and offering condolences to his family and colleagues.
Mensch, known for overseeing the day-to-day operations of Tyler Perry Studios, played a key role in managing the 300-acre Atlanta facility.
In a 2019 interview, he described the studio’s unique blend of historical preservation and cutting-edge technology, calling it “the only major motion picture studio on the East Coast.”
