The actress and activist, who was born Robert Arquette and transitioned in 2006, passed away early on Sunday morning (11Sep16), according to her brother Richmond Arquette, who shared the sad news on Facebook.
He revealed Alexis was surrounded by “all of his brothers and sisters”, adding, “We were playing music for him and he passed during David Bowie’s Starman. As per his wishes, we cheered at the moment that he transitioned to another dimension.”
“I am feeling immense gratitude to have been afforded the luxury of sharing life with him/her, for learning from Alexis, for being given the gift of being able to love him/her and to be loved by him/her,” Richmond continues. “He was a force.”
“He died as he lived, on his own terms. I am immensely grateful that it was fast and painless. It was an incredibly moving experience and I am humbled and grateful to have been able to have been there with him as he began his journey onward.
“Thank you, Alexis, I love you and will always love you.”
Boy George was one of the first celebrities to offer up a tribute on social media, tweeting: “R.I.P my sister Alexis Arquette. Another bright light gone out far too soon. Love to the family and all that loved Alexis.”
Born in 1969, Alexis appeared in Pulp Fiction, She’s All That, Adam Sandler movies Blended and The Wedding Singer, and Bride of Chucky. She was also a celebrated underground cartoonist in Los Angeles.
Her break-out role came in 1989’s Last Exit to Brooklyn, in which she played a transvestite named Georgette.
Her transition from male to female was captured in the documentary Alexis Arquette: She’s My Brother.
