Tommy 'Tiny' Lister Dies At 62 In Marina Del Rey

MARINA DEL REY, CA — Actor Tommy "Tiny" Lister was being remembered Friday by other actors a day after he died at 62 years old of apparent natural causes in his Marina Del Rey home.

Deputies were dispatched shortly before 3 p.m. Thursday to Lister's home in the 4100 block of Via Marina, near Marina Beach and Basin D, according to Deputy Grace Medrano of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Lister's friends and business associates had reported that they were worried about his wellbeing because they hadn't heard from him since the night before, Medrano said.

Deputies entered his home and discovered him dead inside, according to Medrano.

"Mr. Lister's death appears to be of natural causes but will ultimately be determined by the Office of Medical Examiner-Coroner," Medrano said.

Lister, who was born in Compton, played Deebo in the 1995 movie "Friday," as well as its sequel "Next Friday." He also acted in Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight," and Quentin Tarantino's "Jackie Brown," among dozens of other films.

"Friday" star Ice Cube tweeted "America's favorite bully was a born entertainer who would pop into character at the drop of a hat terrifying people on and off camera. Followed by a big smile and laugh. Thank you for being a good dude at heart. I miss you already."

RIP Tiny “Deebo” Lister. America’s favorite bully was a born entertainer who would pop into character at the drop of a hat terrifying people on and off camera. Followed by a big smile and laugh. Thank you for being a good dude at heart. I miss you already. pic.twitter.com/jIl8yEZU9c
— Ice Cube (@icecube) December 11, 2020

Rapper and "Law and Order" actor Ice T tweeted he had lost a "very close friend" and was "speechless."

Friday he announced he would dedicate his Twitter to Lister.

I’m dedicating my page today as a Tribute to my close friend ‘Tiny Lister’ aka Debo, aka Zeus, aka Cleatus.. Gone far to soon. Rest easy Big Homie Love U pic.twitter.com/bTL3HZDZaM
— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) December 11, 2020

I lost another very close friend yesterday. My homie Tiny Lister passed away.... I’m speechless. We did many films together and were close personal friends.. RIP Debo. pic.twitter.com/Mulfpp9LAw
— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) December 11, 2020

This year Really sucks.. I’m just trying to make it outta 2020 alive... Respect and Love to all who we’ve lost this year.
— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) December 11, 2020

Lister was remembered by Adam Sandler as "such a sweet funny man," adding "He will be terribly missed."

- City News Service and Patch Editor Nicole Charky contributed to this report.