Steve Mensch, the 62-year-old president and general manager of Atlanta’s Tyler Perry Studios, tragically died in a plane crash Friday evening in Homosassa, Florida.
Mensch, who was reportedly piloting the small aircraft, crashed near Florida’s Gulf Coast, approximately 60 miles north of Tampa.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched investigations into the incident.
Actor and filmmaker Tyler Perry, the founder of Tyler Perry Studios and creator of the beloved Madea series, mourned Mensch’s passing in an emotional Instagram post.
“This time of year, grief meets me like an unwanted visitor, as tomorrow marks 15 years since the loss of my mother,” Perry wrote. “It feels especially harder because I have lost so many friends and mentors this year, ranging in age from as young as 40 to 92. And today, yet another loss.”
Reflecting on Mensch’s love for flying and his leadership at the studio, Perry added, “Steve loved flying, and he loved that plane; he took so much pride in it. Steve Mensch was truly a kind soul and a great leader at the studio. We all adored him and are devastated that he’s gone. I’m praying for his family as we all try to make sense of this heartbreak. Life is but a moment; we are like vapors. Hold strong to the people you love AND TELL THEM!”
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp expressed his condolences in a message on X (formerly Twitter):
“Marty, the girls, and I were saddened to learn of Steve Mensch’s passing. A good man and an instrumental part of a studio Georgia is proud to call its own, his achievements made our state better and brought more opportunities to its people. His loved ones and the entire Tyler Perry Studios team will be in our thoughts and prayers as they mourn this loss.”
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens also honored Mensch’s contributions:
“I was incredibly sad to learn about the tragic passing of Steve Mensch, the President and General Manager of Tyler Perry Studios. Aside from being instrumental in establishing Atlanta as a premier destination for global film and television production, he was a trusted friend and supporter of the Mayor’s Office of Film and Entertainment.
Whether he was hosting national conferences or allowing our interns to tour the grounds of TPS, he was always willing to share his expertise and inspire others to pursue their passion. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues at Tyler Perry Studios.”
According to Fox 5: Steve Mensch played a pivotal role in shaping Georgia’s film industry into a national powerhouse. Under his leadership, Tyler Perry Studios became a cornerstone of Atlanta’s thriving entertainment sector. He was a staunch advocate for Georgia’s film tax credit, which provides more than $1 billion annually in subsidies to the industry.
Mensch’s career began with Feature Systems, a company that supplies equipment to the movie industry. He later joined Turner Broadcasting, where he managed studio operations and became director of strategic production partnerships. His work helped establish Georgia as a key player in film and television production, particularly leading up to the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
Ric Reitz, an actor and co-creator of Georgia’s film tax credits, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Mensch was instrumental in marketing the state and co-founding the Georgia Production Partnership, an entertainment lobbying group.
Steve Mensch’s contributions to the film industry and his dedication to fostering Georgia’s entertainment legacy will not be forgotten. His leadership, vision, and passion for the arts leave an indelible mark on the industry and the people who knew him.
