2021 in Review: the tragic death of 'Degrassi' star Jahmil French

The passing of Canadian actor Jahmil French, in early 2021, shocked the entertainment industry. He was only 28 years old and the cause of his death was never revealed.

Jahmil French gained a legion of fans in 2009, when he began playing Dave Turner in the Canadian series 'Degrassi: The Next Generation' on Teen Nickelodeon.

(Photo: Netflix, 'Soundtrack')

One of Jahmil French's most recent projects was the series 'Soundtrack' that appeared on Netflix for one season in 2019. The producer of that show, Joshua Safran, announced on March 2, 2021 that his "good friend, co-worker, and all around inspiration, Jahmil French, passed away yesterday." He added: "I will have more to say about him later. Right now we're all just processing this devastating news."

While little was known about the character and personal life of the Canadian star, he appeared in the tributes of his colleagues as an energetic and inspiring young actor. Annie Clark, his fellow cast member in 'Degrassi,' said: "I’ll never forget the day I met him. Jahmil was full of energy and absolute joy to be around."

Jahmil's presence on social media was very scarce. His last Instagram account began in 2020 and ended with a post on January 19, 2021: a simple selfie with a smiley emoji as its caption. In this and other publications, the actor comes across as an enigma - or at least a very private person.

Born on July 29, 1992, the young actor went to school at the Wexford Collegiate School for Arts in his hometown of Toronto. At age 17, he joined the cast of 'Degrassi: The Next Generation' on TeenNick. According to his own story on Instagram, Jahmil had almost missed out on his first role.

"I used to work at McDonald's for 2 months," the actor told his followers. "I got my first audition and asked if my shift could be changed so that I could go... They said no." Instead of giving up, however, Jahmil "went anyways, booked the role and made more money in one pilot than I would have flippin burgers and takin out the trash in a whole year" at the restaurant. "Lesson here... don't ask for anyone's permission to chase your dream."

'Degrassi: The Next Generation' was Jahmil French's major breakthrough. The popular drama series for teenagers had already run for years when he arrived. One of its most famous cast members was a young Drake, for example.

Jahmil French's character in the series, Dave Turner, was a new student at Degrassi Community School who tried hard to fit in. He played his part with "sensitivity and thoughtfulness," fellow actor and producer Stefan Brogren says. Cristine Prosperi, who played Imogen Moreno in the show, wrote above this picture that French was "truly one of a kind."

(Image: Twitter, CrisProsperi)

Jahmil French would appear in 149 episodes of 'Degrassi' and get a nomination for a Canadian Screen Award in 2013. As a result of the series' success, he soon had thousands of fans.

Unfortunately for all the teenage Dave Turner fans, Jahmil's character had a particular love interest in the school girl Alli Bhandari (Melinda Shankar). The actress who played his girlfriend said on Twitter that "Jah literally won the title of most competitive goofball. What joy he brought to my life and to so many."

(Image: Twitter, melindashankar)

Shankar also tweeted a more serious note about her colleague and friend. "So grateful for memories and deep convos with you, beautiful angel," she writes. "Thank you for sharing your gift with the world. I just hope you knew how loved you were."

After graduating from Degrassi, Jahmil French played in several TV series and movies. He appeared in the crime series 'The Divide' alongside Nia Long in 2014.

The young actor had his first big success since Degrassi with the acclaimed film 'Boost.' His role as the troubled young immigrant A-Mac, always hanging out on the streets of Montreal with Hakeem (played by Nabil Rajo), earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 2018 Canadian Screen Awards.

Life and showbiz seemed promising for the young talent by the time he 25 years old. Jahmil French had several projects on his calendar and at least two important nominations in his pocket.

One of the projects was a small part in the sci fi thriller 'First Light,' a movie about UFOs and paranormal activity. It wasn't a very successful movie.

A totally different project was his role in the Pop comedy series 'Let's Get Physical,' also in 2018. In eight half-hour episodes, it described an aerobics competition between two hilarious fitness gurus and their respective teams. Jahmil French's character 'Snacks' was on one of those teams. Sadly, Pop did not prolong the series beyond its first season.

Soon enough, in 2019, another promising series would arrive for Jahmil French. The Netflix musical drama 'Soundtrack' follows a number of Los Angeles residents who have nothing in common except for their love of music. French played the ex-convict Dante Mendoza, a young man just out of prison who has difficulties finding a job and pick up the routines of life.

Singer Christina Milian worked with French in the series and appears to have been fond of him. Her words on his Instagram profile, after the actor's death, were few but powerful: "You will be missed. Rest peacefully King."

Another friend from the show, dancer and actress Jenna Dewan, wrote a little more about the deceased actor. "We worked together on Soundtrack, and every single time you entered the room we all felt it get brighter," she says on Instagram. "You were shiny, magnetic and so kind. RIP and fly with the angels Jah."

After one season, Netflix pulled the plug on 'Soundtrack.' It would be Jahmil French's last big acting job.

Of the actor's last months, professionally or personally, little was shown in public. The coronavirus pandemic possibly cut off any acting opportunities that he might have had. His social media posts were mostly throwbacks to previous work in 'Degrassi' and 'Soundtrack,' or a brief personal message like this one about his sister.

In one of his last posts on Instagram, the actor said: "I've loved and I've lost. But never again will I lose the love that I have for myself." Let's hope there is peace for Jahmil French, his family, and his friends.

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