Trans Actress Alexis Arquette Dead at 47

Known for her roles in films like The Wedding Singer, Arquette passed away surrounded by her family.

Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.

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Neal Broverman

September 11 2016 12:02 PM EST

September 11 2016 12:58 PM EST

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Outspoken trans actress Alexis Arquette died Sunday morning in Los Angeles. She was 47.

Arquette was known not only as the sibling of actors Rosanna, Patricia, and David, but also an accomplished performer in her own right. She broke through in 1998 with a memorable cameo in The Wedding Singer, starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. Arquette also appeared on numerous television shows, including Friends, Felicity, and Xena: Warrior Princess.

Arquette often spoke about her transition, and made a 2007 documentary about her life called Alexis Arquette: She's My Brother.

Arquette passed away surrounded by her family, who played David Bowie's "Starman" in her final moments, as per her request. The cause of death is not confirmed, but TMZ reported that she was battling an illness.

Richmond Arquette, another sibling of Alexis's, posted a heartfelt message on Facebook:

"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 her/him and to be loved by him/her. 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 incredible moving experience and I am humbled and grateful to have been able to have been with him as he began his journey onward. Thank you, Alexis, I love you and will always love you."