Aziza Barnes, an author, poet, and writer on the FX series Snowfall and Max’s Rap Sh!t, has died at age 32.
Barnes, died by suicide on Dec. 15, family members confirmed via a rep to The Hollywood Reporter this weekend. No additional details were released about the passing of the respected artist, who used they/them pronouns.
“With heavy hearts, we regret to inform you of the passing of an undeniable and beloved artist, child, sibling, and friend Aziza ‘Z’ Barnes,” the family said in a statement. “Z has touched and inspired countless individuals both in their community and industry and will be deeply missed and endlessly loved by all who were fortunate to have experienced their presence and work.”
Barnes had an impressive list of TV credits and had also written for Netflix’s Teenage Bounty Hunters, and Max’s upcoming Game of Thrones prequel series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, in addition to ten episodes of Snowfall, according to their IMDb page.
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Born in Los Angeles in October 1992, Barnes received a B.A. from New York University and an MFA from the University of Mississippi.
They would go on to become a Hollywood writer, author, playwright and poet.
The writer frequently performed at Da Poetry Lounge, Urban Word NYC, and Nuyoricans Poets Café. The image above is from Barnes performing at the Association of Writers & Writing Programs’ 2016 gathering.
In Los Angeles, the Center Theatre Group wrote in a Dec. 19 Facebook post that Barnes was commissioned to pen a play for the group’s 2018-2019 Writers Workshop.
The tribute post described them as “audacious and warm, with a vision of what they wanted, and wild explorations to get there.”
The post continued, “Z’s talent was awe-inspiring.”
If you or someone you know needs help, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255.
