Actor Lou Myers (From ‘A Different World’), Dies + Ja Rule to Be Released from Prison

The acting world has suffered another loss. Lou Myers, famous for playing campus restaurant owner Mr. Vernon Gaines on “A Different World,” passed away yesterday (Feb. 19^th), after complications following heart-related issues. He was 77. In December, Lou was hospitalized for pneumonia but was released after New Year’s Day. Officials say he collapsed at home a few weeks later which led to him being hospitalized yet again. According to reports, his heart stopped yesterday and doctors were able to revive him, but sadly he fell into a coma shortly after, passed away a few hours later. Lou had an extensive acting career spanning well over 35 years which began in 1976. He had roles in numerous movies and television series including “The Wedding Planner,” “The Fighting Temptations,” “ER” and “Living Single.”

And in lighter news, the Rule is coming back, ya’ll. Reportedly, Ja Rule is set to leave an upstate prison on Thursday, after serving most of his two-year sentence for illegal gun possession. Unfortunately, he will head straight into federal custody for a tax case. The NY native has some time remaining on a 28-month sentence for tax evasion, correction officials said. His sentences were expected to run concurrently. He’ll be living in a halfway house and has been ordered to pay $1.1 million in back taxes. His large debt is of the main reasons he wants to get back to work, his attorney stated. UPDATED: According to the NYPost, at 9:30 a.m. Thursday morning, Ja Rule was released and escorted by U.S. Marshals. It wasn’t immediately clear where he’ll serve time in the tax case. [TMZ, Huff Post]

-Jasmine A.