Brilliant young actor and a gentle soul Lee Thompson Young was found dead on Monday morning. He was 29. Lee Thompson Young was just 10 when his acting career began, playing Martin Luther King in A Night of Stars and Dreams in a play in South Carolina. He was hooked: acting would be his career. At 14 he got his big break, signed to the Disney channel where he scored the lead role in The Famous Jett Jackson. More recently Young had earned a legion of adoring fans from his work on Friday Night Lights, in which he played Chris Corner, and appeared in South Beach and Smallville. His most recent role, as Detective Barry Frost on the popular police drama Rizzoli & Isles, won him international fans with his portrayal of the sometimes geeky and often cheeky partner of Detective Jane Rizzoli. Young was due on the set of Rizzoli & Isles on Monday. When he failed to show for work police discovered his body in his North Hollywood home in what appears a suicide. In the TNT series, Young played a detective who is computer savvy but squeamish. We are beyond heartbroken at the loss of this sweet, gentle, good-hearted, intelligent man. ... Lee will be cherished and remembered by all who knew and loved him, both on- and off-screen, for his positive energy, infectious smile and soulful grace," TNT studio Warner and series producer Janet Tamaro said in a joint statement. On Monday, the channel announced it was renewing the series that stars Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander. In a 2011 interview with the website Rolling Out, Young said: "I'm the youngest member of the cast, so I really take advantage of the wealth of knowledge that I find myself surrounded by." Young majored in Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California. "It is with great sadness that I announce that Lee Thompson Young tragically took his own life this morning," said Young's manager, Jonathan Baruch, in a statement issued to the website Deadline. Lee was more than just a brilliant young actor, he was a wonderful and gentle soul who will be truly missed. We ask that you please respect the privacy of his family and friends at this very difficult time. Colleagues took to social media to pay tribute. Jordan Bridges, who plays Frankie Rizzoli in Rizzoli & Isles, wrote: "Goodbye @Lee-T-Young I am shattered at your startling departure. It was an honour to work with you. Love and Prayers to your family. Los Angeles Times and agencies