Tom Jackson, one of the most prominent past contestants in the makeover series, has passed away at the age of 63. Jackson was the first individual to receive a makeover by the “fab five” when Netflix relaunched the show in 2018.
As a tribute, the Queer Eye cast stated that they were bidding goodbye to a “family member” with a “heavy heart.”
According to the obituary published by his funeral home, Jackson was diagnosed with metastatic adenocarcinoma of a gland.
The fashion expert on the show, Tan France, exclaimed,
“Such very horrible news.”
Jonathan Van Ness, a grooming specialist, posted “RIP Tom,” while Bobby, an interior designer, stated he was “drinking a Redneck Margarita” in Tom’s honor.
The obituary for Jackson, who resided in Georgia, stated that his performance on Queer Eye was the “highlight” of his life.
“He recounted his experience [on the show] with anyone who would listen,” the report added.
Jackson participated in the series premiere episode, titled You Can’t Repair Ugly, which helped establish the tone for the new version of the show.
The original Queer Eye series aired on the cable television network Bravo from 2003 until 2007.
Netflix rebooted it with a new cast of makeover specialists, each with their own field of expertise, including culture, fashion, grooming, gastronomy, and design.
The revived show has a slightly different tone than the original. Producers relocated it from New York to the Deep South of the United States and began casting a broader range of males.
Some of the new participants were more conservative men who may not have had extensive experience with gay individuals in the past.
In addition to their physical appearance, there was a greater emphasis on the participants’ mental health and well-being.
In Jackson’s episode, he discussed living with lupus and his love for his ex-wife, Abby Parr, whom he reunited with a year after the show, only to divorce again.
His family appreciated the medical staff at Kennestone Hospital for providing him with “care and comfort throughout his dying days.”
The family stated,
“We will never forget our dear Tom.” “He brought happiness, humor, tenacity, and love to our family. He holds a particular place in our hearts, and we look forward to seeing him again someday.”
Instead of sending flowers, his family has requested that people watch his episode of Queer Eye on Netflix in his honor.
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