Floyd Roger Myers Jr., best known for portraying a young Will Smith on the hit sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, has died at the age of 42.
Myers passed away early Wednesday at his home in Maryland after suffering a heart attack, his mother, Renee Trice, confirmed to TMZ.
She said her son had previously endured three heart attacks in the past three years. His sister, Tyree Trice, described the latest one as “unexpected” and “sudden” in a message shared on a GoFundMe page created to support the family.
“He was a devoted father, loving brother and friend whose kindness, laughter and warmth touched everyone he met,” Tyree wrote. “Roger leaves behind his four beautiful children — Taelyn, Kinsley, Tyler, and Knox — and our family is now facing the unimaginable loss of someone who meant everything to us.”
ALSO READ: Dr. Phil’s Merit Street Media Ordered into Liquidation After $500 Million Collapse
Myers first gained national recognition in the early 1990s when he played a young version of Will Smith’s character on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He later starred as a young Marlon Jackson in The Jacksons: An American Dream, appearing alongside Angela Bassett, Vanessa Williams and Billy Dee Williams.
His final on-screen appearance came in 2000 in the short-lived series Young Americans, after which he stepped back from acting.
In recent years, Myers dedicated his life to mentorship and community support. He co-founded The Fellowship Men’s Group, an organization focused on helping men “lead, heal and thrive.” The group paid tribute to him on Instagram, sharing a photo of Myers with his children and promising to carry on his work.
“RIP to our good brother @rocwonder… Gone but never forgotten,” the organization wrote. “The mission will continue in your honor.”
Myers’ last post on Instagram was a loving tribute to his daughter Tyler, celebrating her 10th birthday.
“I’m so happy to be your father,” he wrote. “Can’t wait to see what the next 10 years will look like watching you grow.”
