Hector Xtravaganza, 'Grandfather' of House of Xtravaganza, Dies at 53

Hector Xtravaganza -- a consultant on FX's Pose and a founding member of the House of Xtravaganza -- has passed at age 53.

Xtravaganza's death was announced Sunday on social media by the House of Xtravaganza, a pillar of New York City's ballroom scene. The cause of death was lymphoma, The New York Times later reported.

"It is with profound sadness the House of Xtravaganza family announce the passing of our beloved Grandfather Hector," the group stated on Instagram. "He was a friend to everyone he met, a source of inspiration for all who knew him, and a cornerstone of our House family. Arrangements for a celebration of Hector's life will be shared in the coming days."

Xtravaganza, a dancer and AIDS activist, was a member of the House of Xtravaganza since its founding in 1982, when it became the first Latino house in the ballroom scene. He served twice as house father.

Born Hector Crespo, he legally took the last name of Xtravangza and was given the honorific of House Grandfather after 2003, reports Variety.

Xtravaganza served as a consultant on Pose, the FX series that centers on New York's ballroom scene in the 1980s. Many members of the Pose family, including cocreator Steven Canals, paid tribute to the late dancer on social media.

"Some people you meet and immediately have that soul connection. [Xtravaganza] was one of those people for me," Canals stated on Instagram. "When we first met I started calling him Abuelo (Spanish for grandfather). He embraced me and said, 'I have a new grandson.' I never really knew my grandfathers so having him meant the world to me. I'm heartbroken he's gone. I may have only known him for a year, but I felt like I knew him for a lifetime. His last text to me was 'I'm proud of you.' I'm proud of you too."

Read other tributes to the late activist below.