Charlbi Dean, a South African actor known for her roles in Triangle of Sadness and Black Lightning, has died at age 32.  According to Deadline and Variety, Dean died in a New York City hospital on Monday following an unspecified illness.

Dean, a native of Cape Town, South Africa, was discovered as a model at just six years old. She appeared on the cover of a number of well-known magazines, including the South African versions of GQ and Elle.  Dean made her acting debut in the 2010 South African film Spud; she also had roles in Death Race 3: Inferno, Blood in the Water and An Interview with God, and in 2013 filmed a sequel to Spud titled Spud 2: The Madness Continues. 

Dean had a recurring role in the superhero television series Black Lightning on The CW, portraying orphan-turned-assassin Syonide in nine episodes of the show over its first two seasons. Her most notable role to date was in the 2022 film Triangle of Sadness, marking her first appearance in a major Hollywood film.  The film, also starring Dolly de Leon and Woody Harrelson, had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival this past May, where it received critical acclaim and an eight-minute standing ovation. It went on to win the festival’s highest prize, the Palme d’Or — considered one of the most prestigious honors in the film industry.  The film will debut in theaters on Oct. 8.

At the time of her death, Dean was engaged to male model Luke Volker.

Charlbi Dean Dies Of Sudden Illness: Star Of Palme d’Or Winner ‘Triangle Of Sadness’ Was 32

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