Steve Mensch, the president and manager of general operations for Tyler Perry Studios, has tragically passed away at the age of 62 in a plane crash. Representatives for Tyler Perry confirmed the news, expressing their deep sorrow and describing Mensch as a cherished member of their team for over eight years.

Mensch was piloting a single-seat aircraft when the accident occurred in Florida. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the crash. No other casualties have been reported.

Since 2016, Mensch had overseen the daily operations of the sprawling 300-acre studio lot in Atlanta. His LinkedIn profile highlights his significant contributions to the film and TV production industry in Georgia, emphasizing his extensive experience in operations, strategic planning, and business development.

Mensch is survived by his wife and three children. His untimely death follows Perry's recent decision to postpone an $800 million studio expansion due to the rapid advancements in AI technology, particularly the emergence of OpenAI's Sora, a tool capable of generating complex visual shots. Perry expressed concerns about the potential impact of AI on the industry's workforce, including actors, crew members, and editors.

Tyler Perry Studios, established in 2006 and officially opened in Atlanta in 2019, is considered a landmark in the film industry.