DENISE Dowse has died at age 64, her sister has shared.
The star of TV’s Insecure and Grey’s Anatomy lost a battle with a “virulent form of meningitis” days after going into a coma.
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The heartbreaking news about Denise, 64, was shared by her sister, Tracey, on the star’s Instagram Saturday.
“I want to take this moment to thank our friends and family for all of the love and prayers,” she wrote on August 13th, 2022.
“It is with a very heavy heart that I inform everyone that my sister, Denise Dowse, has gone forward to meet our family in eternal life.
“Denise Yvonne Dowse was the most amazing sister, a consummate, illustrious actress, mentor and director.”
“She was my very best friend and final family member.
“Denise loved all of you. I know that she is watching over us with all the love she has.”
Alongside the tragic message was a photo of the actress shared by her sibling.
FANS & PEERS REMEMBER DENISE
Actor Ian Ziering – who played Steve Sanders on Beverly Hills 90210 – shared an image of Denise to his own Instagram.
He recalled such fond memories of when she played the vice principal on the ’90s series.
“So heartbreaking to say Denise Dowse has passed away. Throughout all my years working on Beverly Hills 90210, my scenes with Denise will always be remembered with the utmost in respect for her talent, and fondness for the loving soul she was.”
Another peer wrote under her sister’s devastating post: “My Tracey ….and My Denise……no words right now.”
A third commented: “I am so sorry for your loss! She had so many fans.”
After it broke that Denise was in a coma, Viola Davis tweeted with hope: “Rooting for you sis!!! You are a terrific actress with so much more work to do. Praying for you.”
The Walking Dead’s Vincent M. Ward commented, “prayers up” also upon the initial news.
TRAGIC TURN
Denise was earlier hospitalized due to her ailments, TMZ first shared on August 9th.
Denise’s sister Tracey revealed that news late last week on Facebook, asking for prayers.
“I am requesting support and prayers be offered me and my sister, and my only immediate family Denise Dowse,” she penned.
“She is currently in the hospital in a coma brought on by a virulent form of meningitis.
“Her doctors do not know when she will come out of the coma as it was not medically induced.”
Her sister added at the time that she should have “many years ahead of her.”
The U.S. Sun had reached out to Denise’s representatives for comment at the time of her hospitalization.
DENISE’S INCREDIBLE RESUME
Denise played Dr. Rhonda Pyne on Insecure from 2017 to 2020.
She earlier appeared in Season Six of Grey’s Anatomy as Lorraine Simms – the grandmother of the fictitious surgical resident Blake Simms.
In fact, the star has a massive 122 acting credits to her name per IMDB.
She graced the screen in classic features like Ray- the biopic of Ray Charles alongside Jamie Foxx– Requiem for A Dream and Coach Carter.
She also starred in Beverly Hills, 90210 as West Beverly Hills High vice principal Mrs. Yvonne Teasley for 10 years – and on TV’s Guardian.
Even as Denise’s resume expanded to blockbusters, she still worked the small screen – voicing the character of Officer Shirley on Nickelodeon’s Rocket Power.
She has even turned to the director’s chair, helming a civil rights-themed film Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story which is now in post-production as well as a 2004 documentary short.
The upcoming historical biopic is starring Corbin Bleu and Vanessa Williams among others.
Denise was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and is the daughter of a Naval officer per Hollywood Fringe.
She graduated from Norfolk State University with a BA in English/Theatre.
She was not publicly known to be married having a private personal life.
Information on funeral services are not known at this time.
Sister Tracey asked her friends and followers for “privacy and your continued prayers” noting she’d “provide, at a later time, her Celebration of Life information.”
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