Photo: ABC
Isabelle Tate, a rising actress who appeared in the new 9-1-1: Nashville series, has died. She was 23.
Tate played Julie on the medical action-drama, which premiered earlier this month. The cast of the newest 9-1-1 installment also includes LeAnn Rimes, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Chris O’Donnell, Hailey Kilgore, Michael Provost, Juani Feliz and Hunter McVey, plus Kane Brown as a guest star, and more.
Tate died on Sunday (October 19). Her cause of death has not been confirmed as of publication time on Thursday (October 23). Tate’s agent confirmed to TMZ that the actress had Charcot-Marie-Tooth, which is defined as “a group of inherited conditions that cause nerve damage,” according to Mayo Clinic. TMZ states that Tate used a wheelchair, and the 9-1-1 role was “perfect” for her. The Nashville, Tennessee-born actress passed away in her sleep.
The 9-1-1: Nashville star earned her Bachelor’s Degree in business from Middle Tennessee State University, “and wanted to change the world,” her obituary reads. “Isabelle loved volunteering her time to all things, particularly animals - her idea of a fun outing was visiting an animal shelter and doling out lots of love.
“Isabelle was full of fire, a fighter, never once making excuses for the fact that she might have a disability relative to others,” the obituary continues. “She was also quite musically inclined, often spending hours writing and recording songs with friends and even publishing a few. What she loved the most though was spending time with family and friends, always the life of the party. Her sister was her best friend and her mom was her shining beacon of light.”
“We are deeply saddened and completely heartbroken to share that Isabelle Tate passed away on October 19th. She was 23,” reads a statement from her talent agency, McCray Agency, on Instagram. “I’ve known Izzy since she was a teenager and she recently returned to acting. She booked the first series she auditioned for, 9-1-1 Nashville. She had a wonderful time. …I was so lucky to know her and she will be greatly missed by so many. 💔🕊️”
McVey, of 9-1-1: Nashville, said in a statement to PEOPLE, in part, that he “was shocked to hear the news. I didn’t know Isabelle prior to filming, but I couldn’t have asked for someone better to work with on one of my first ever days on set.”
Tate is survived by her mother, her stepfather, her father and her sister. Her funeral will take place on Friday (October 24) in Tennessee.