Posted 7 min 54 sec ago by Christina Coleman

Different World star Lou Myers passed away last night in West Virginia at the Charleston Medical Center after complications from a heart-related illness.

Myers, who was known for playing Mr. Vernon Gaines on the '80s show, was 76 years old.

According to TMZ:

The President of Lou's non-profit tells TMZ, Lou passed away last night.

Lou was hospitalized in December for pneumonia but released after New Year's. He collapsed at home a few weeks later and was hospitalized again.

Lou's heart stopped yesterday. Doctors were able to revive him, but he fell into a coma and passed just hours later.

An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the official cause of death. Myers will receive a military burial in West Virgnia, as he served time in the army.

R.I.P LOU MYERS

[Edited 2/20/13 16:11pm]

i loved it's a different world; rip

Oh, that's too bad. He was very funny.

RIP

"A Different World" was the shit!

So sad. I liked him in A Different World. RIP.

Timmy84 said:

RIP

"A Different World" was the shit!

RIP LOU MYERS and thank you for making different world the funniest show ever.

Timmy84 said:

RIP

"A Different World" was the shit!

RIP Lou

R.I.P. Mr. Myers

Aww man. This makes me sad. When A Different World was on, Mr. Gaines was like everybody's favorite Great-Uncle.

Rest well, Mr. Myers

Sleep In Peace Mr Myers

RIP Lou Myers (Mr. Gaines... World’)

Lou Myers, who played cantankerous-but-lovable character “Mr. Gaines” on ‘A Different World’, has passed away from complications due to pneumonia, PEOPLE magazine reports. He was 77.

From PEOPLE:

Myers was born in Chesapeake, W.V., the son of a Cabin Creek coal miner, according to the Charleston Gazette. After attending West Virginia State University, he got his first acting break as an understudy in the Broadway play The First Breeze of Summer.

He went on to appear in more than a dozen films, including How Stella Got Her Groove Back and The Wedding Planner.

On television, he had roles on ER, JAG and NYPD Blue, but is best remembered for playing Vernon Gaines on A Different World, which was a spin-off from The Cosby Show.

He is survived by his mother, Dorothy Jeffries, 95, a son, Melvin Myers, and two grandsons, Brayden and Christian, the Gazette said.

NEWS: ACTOR LOU MYERS (from ‘A DIFFERENT WORLD’) DIED AT 77

Remember Mr. Vernon Gaines from the popular 80′s television series A Different World? Sadly, according to reports, actor Lou Myers passed away at a hospital in his home state after experiencing a series of health issues since late last year:

The President of Lou’s non-profit tells TMZ, Lou passed away last night in West Virginia at the Charleston Medical Center following a heart-related emergency.

Lou was hospitalized in December for pneumonia but released after New Year’s. He collapsed at home a few weeks later and was hospitalized again.

Lou’s heart stopped yesterday. Doctors were able to revive him, but he fell into a coma and passed just hours later. He was 77.

Aside from starring in films like How Stella Got Her Groove Back and , the NAACP “Best Actor” award recipient and accomplished pianist also took on roles in Broadway productions like The Color Purple and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. He was also the chairman of Global Business Incubation and organization focused on helping small urban businesses and started the Lou Myers Scenario Motion Picture Institute/Theatre.

Myers is survived by his 95-year old mother and two sons (Jeffries and Melvin)a. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.

RIP

R.I.P.

Aww, I loved him on "A Different World". I still watch reruns of that show. RIP, Lou.