RIP Alexis Arquette

Alexis Arquette Dead: Transgender Actress Dies at 47, Siblings Patricia and Richmond Arquette Pay Tribute

By Nicholas Hautman

September 11, 2016

Alexis Arquette, a transgender activist and actress best known for playing a Boy George-inspired character in The Wedding Singer, died at age 47 on Sunday, September 11, her brother Richmond Arquette confirmed.

"Our brother Robert, who became our brother Alexis, who became our sister Alexis, who became our brother Alexis, passed this morning September 11, at 12:32 am," Richmond, 53, wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday morning. "He was surrounded by all of his brothers and sisters, one of his nieces and several other loved ones. We were playing music for him and he passed during David Bowie's Starman. As per his wishes, we cheered at the moment that he transitioned to another dimension."

Alexis, who was born Robert Arquette, was the sibling of actors Richmond, Rosanna, Patricia and David Arquette. Her transition from male to female was documented in the 2007 film Alexis Arquette: She's My Brother. Alexis' cause of death has not been confirmed.

"I am feeling immense gratitude to have been afforded the luxury of sharing life with him/her, for learning from Alexis, for being given the gift of being able to love her/him and to be loved by him/her," Richmond continued. "He was a force. He died as he lived, on his own terms. I am immensely grateful that it was fast and painless. It was an incredible moving experience and I am humbled and grateful to have been able to have been with him as he began his journey onward. Thank you, Alexis, I love you and will always love you."

Patricia, 48, also paid tribute to her late sibling with two tweets of Alexis' favorite songs: David Bowie's "Starman" and T. Rex's "Cosmic Dancer."

"Breaking through the veil singing StarMan," the Academy Award winner tweeted, adding, "To My first best friend - Cosmic Dancer."

Alexis also appeared in Blended, The Surreal Life and Down and Out in Beverly Hills.

Boy George, who inspired Alexis' character in the 1998 Adam Sandler/Drew Barrymore comedy The Wedding Singer, posted a tribute to the actress on Twitter, writing, "R.I.P my sister Alexis Arquette. Another bright light gone out far too soon. Love to the family and all that loved Alexis."

Born: 7/28/1969, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

Died: 9/11/2016, U.S.A.

Frank & Jesse – 1995 (Charlie Ford)