Alexis Arquette passed away at the age of 47 on Sunday morning. According to a report by People magazine, Arquette died of an AIDS related illness.
Arquette was most known for roles in films such as The Wedding Singer, Bride of Chucky, Alexis Arquette: She’s My Brother and most recently Blended with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. Arquette was one in a family of actors, which included sisters Rosanna, Patricia and brothers Richmond and David. Richmond released a statement on behalf of the family on Facebook, which caused a stir due to his use of pronouns.
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 posted on Facebook. “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.
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 him/her and to be loved by him/her. 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 incredibly 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 love you always.”
The family later explained that Alexis had identified as “Gender Suspicious” in recent years, where the use of pronouns was dictated by presentation. Though the original statement featured only male pronouns, it was later released with both his and her pronouns.
