Executive of Tyler Perry Studios dies when plane he was piloting crashes in Florida
Steve Mensch, the 62-year-old president of Tyler Perry Studios, tragically lost his life in a plane crash while piloting his aircraft over Florida's Gulf Coast on December 7, 2024. The incident occurred in Homosassa, approximately 60 miles north of Tampa, where the plane was found overturned on the road. Tyler Perry Studios expressed profound sadness at Mensch's passing, recognizing him as a cherished member of their team and a beloved figure in the Atlanta community. Mensch was a key advocate for Georgia's film tax credit, which surpasses $1 billion annually, significantly boosting the state's film and television production landscape. Before his tenure at Perry's studio, he held various roles, including director of strategic production partnerships at Turner Broadcasting.
His efforts helped position Georgia as a competitive environment for film production prior to the 1996 Summer Olympics. The crash is under investigation by the FAA and NTSB, focusing on the circumstances surrounding the fatal accident. Mensch is survived by his wife and three children, leaving a lasting impact on the industry and community he served.