This amazing and talented young man from Houston, Malik’ James, with whom I performed in CHOIR BOY at Yale Rep in 2022 who’s dad is a Jack Yates Lion, died suddenly on Friday. He was SOOOOO good in the play and such a great guy. I’m so sorry to hear of his passing. My mom and I met his parents too on opening night. It was another meeting of a Yates Lion and a Wheatley Wildcat. (Black folks in the 3rd and 5th Wards in Houston understand that.)
His young life is already sorely missed by his friends and loved ones.
Rest well, my dear friend. We will carry your beautiful memory forward from here.

Texas State Acting and the School of Theatre, Dance, and Film as a whole are deeply saddened by the passing of Malik James, a beloved alumnus. More than his talent, Malik’s kindness, presence, and warmth left an indelible mark on all who knew him. The entire SoTDF feels the weight of this loss. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and fellow artists. He will be deeply missed, but his legacy will continue to inspire.

Honor the know you is an understatement! Malik’ James my friend I love you and I will miss you every single day

Our conversations about love, kindness, culture, theatre and dreams of us POC making it to the big stages will forever remain in my heart.

I have no stopped thinking about you and our time together at Yale!

Rest in peace my dear friend, until we meet again

My heart is with Malik’s family this morning. His Texas State family send you gratitude for sharing this generous, talented soul with us. He changed us with the power of his rising star and his inherent goodness. Malik……. Your footsteps echo around our orange building. Even though you eventually made Yale a second home, you are forever part of our theatre family. I imagine Jeremy doing his magic with you right now. God had different plans for your star, but we always knew you were a star.

Malik James there are no words that can hold all that you are. You’re infinite and “If only the good die young” then what did GOD need of your GREATNESS? It’s more a rhetorical question because when he wants you, he will have you, in his timing!

I think back to our many journeys but a particular one of us running through the streets of Barcelona because we didn’t want to pay for an umbrella we rented from a person that was illegally selling us one on the beach. We ran for a half a mile laughing and screaming “go right, cut through this street, keep running” all prompted by you saying “Brother, you wanna make a run for it, I’m good for one!” And that you were…GOOD for running through life and creating adventures out of the most small moments. You were good for running through beats, bar for bar, with us and the homies in my apartment. You were good for running up a tab when we went out to eat because “eff it brother, how many times we gone get the chance to do this.” And to your point you were right! The next chance we get the chance to do this, will be in Gods kingdom. I know you running through those heavenly gates and already spitting bars while Gabriel blowing away at that horn. You’re home now Malik, safe, at peace and at rest. I love you brother.

Bridgett Hamilton I’m praying for you and family. And it’s no formality. I’m here for your family and yourself in anyway I can be: calls, support, prayer or anything we can come up with. Malik was family. The brightest light in our community. His legacy just won’t leave us. And we are going to aid in keeping it going.

I love you Malik’ James!

My time at BADA (Oxford, UK) I met alot of dope people. Malik’ was one of them. We were in the cohort of MIO ’22 but different groups. One of the stories that sticks out in my mind is when me, him, Anthony Divine and Alexandria went to London to see “The Seagull” and “King Lear”. Afterwards we went to a club in the downtown area and we didn’t consider how transportation works out there lol. Meaning things shut down at 12am. I remember Malik saying, “Ohh sh** Chris! We’re stuck out in London. While being slightly worried at “How the f*** am I gonna get back to the University?” I didnt have time to cause what he was doing was hilarious as all h*ll. I know it wasnt his intention but it definitely made light of that scenario. Hearing the fact that you’ve passed on is a shock to me, especially at a very young age man. You had ALOT to still showcase in this craft and business. Alot to still do just in life but I guess it just was your time man. My condolences go out to his family and much love to Ant, Alex and Divine. I know you guys are like his extended family. See you in the next life man…..

Malik’ James was an incredible actor, and even more, an incredibly humble, grounded and powerful presence. I was one of the lucky ones to get to work with him and see his talent shine from the best seat in the house. My heart breaks for all the people whose lives you enriched. Rest in peace.

I am thinking about the last time I spoke with Malik’ James. It was two weeks after Mae had been born. I went into the office at school to get a document I needed for Nick’s paternity leave, and Malik was there turning in some paperwork for THE INSPECTOR. The last thing I said to him was, “Enjoy!” And then I got to see his total-open-heart performance in that play. I am thinking about his smile, his laugh, how tender he was working on his interview with his grandmother for Interview Project. Rest well, bright soul.

brother, i’ve been trying to think of the words to say. to express how i’m feeling — but truly, i’m still lost. i don’t understand. i’m afraid. i’m confused. and i miss you.

your aunt said post on here, so that’s what ima do.

i love you, brother. people like you are rare. i’ll miss the joy you brought to my life — the constant smiles and encouragement. you lifted me up when i was too low, and brought me down when i got too high. you were a charmer. someone who loved deeply. very grounded and sure. confidence out of this world, and such a great listener. you had these eyes that made me — and everyone else — feel like we were the only ones that mattered when we were in conversation with you. you were a friend. someone i would talk to once a week. someone so many leaned on. someone we all loved. i couldn’t ask for a better friend to start this grad acting journey with. someone from home. someone i went to middle school with. someone i knew. you carried the essence of home, and you emboldened me to do so as well. you helped me find my courage. you taught me to dare and be resilient — all through your actions, not just your words. you were the greatest i ever knew. your talent is truly unmatched, brother — and that was something you knew. you carried the torch proudly. you were the one, malik, and you encouraged others to walk alongside you.

one of the greatest friends a man can have.

from lake olympia middle school to ivy league schools — you can’t tell me what my God can’t do.

love you, baby boy.

Malik’ James i met you at the beginning of a journey that forever changed my life. What an honor its been to be in pursuit of our dreams and in community with you. The world was not ready for your talent and your kindness.

Thank you for not being scared off when i introduced myself as prizz when we first met.

Thank you for always being my spades partner and calming me down when i got heated.

Thank you for always taking that late night trek back up to harlem from brooklyn with me.

Thank you for inspiring me and always leading with love and openness. I hope whatever is beyond this world you are surrounded by as much love and light you shared on earth.

Rest in Power Malik

Malik, you were everybody’s best friend. You had a rare gift: a smile that lit up any room, the kind of presence that made nothing feel like a problem. You always told me when my jokes went too far, but you also made sure I knew when they were hilarious.

You were so talented, always game, and carried yourself with grace. You reached out for advice when you needed it, and gave it when I needed it. We spent so many evenings just chilling, laughing, and being free Black men. I could always hit you up for anything, you were there. Always supportive. Always solid.

I never knew anyone who had a problem with you. And when I had problems with others, you reminded me that we’re southern gentlemen, and we must stand on that. That was how you stood on business, you cared for anyone and everyone.

When you read for Potter, you gave so much thoughtful feedback that I felt like I was writing for you. You were so damn curious, and willing. I learned so much from you just by the way you lived, and by how steady and grounding you were. You were an anchor in moments when I needed one, and you showed me by example how to balance confidence with generosity.

Words can’t express your loss. But I’ll carry your smile, your curiosity, and your friendship with me forever. Thank you for the love, brother.

I know that somewhere beyond all this grief, you are smiling down on us, that same smile we all knew so well. It comforts me to believe you are happy, free, and shining still.

You gave me the nickname, “Yodè” and it didn’t catch on but you still called me that and it just reinforced your relevance in our community and to each individual.

I thank God for you, and your family.
Love you, brother.
Rest in Power.