The This Is Us family and the television community have lost a talented writer and a powerful voice. Jas Waters, a writer on the hit NBC family drama, has died at the age of 39. Her cause of death has not been revealed at this time.
The official This Is Us writers account confirmed the news on Wednesday.
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"The entire #ThisIsUs family was devastated to learn of Jas Waters passing. In our time together, Jas left her mark on us and ALL over the show," the account wrote alongside a photo of Waters. "She was a brilliant storyteller and a force of nature. We send our deepest sympathies to her loved ones. She was one of us. RIP @JasFly."
The entire #ThisIsUs family was devastated to learn of Jas Waters passing. In our time together, Jas left her mark on us and ALL over the show. She was a brilliant storyteller and a force of nature. We send our deepest sympathies to her loved ones. She was one of us. RIP @JasFly. pic.twitter.com/cmrh2OO8of
— ThisIsUsWriters (@ThisIsUsWriters) June 10, 2020
In addition to writing on 18 episodes of This Is Us, Waters also worked on Jim Carrey's Kidding, Hood Adjacent with James Davis, and the film What Men Want. Under the name JasFly, Waters, who used to write for Vibe, also appeared in The Gossip Game, a VH1 reality show about hip-hop TV and radio personalities and bloggers.
Immediately following the news of her death, several This Is Us stars as well as celebrities paid tribute to Waters on social media.
Show creator Dan Fogelman tweeted, "This news took my breath away. Jas was absolutely brilliant and had so many stories still to tell. She made an indelible mark on our show and my heart breaks for her loved ones. RIP @JasFly."
This news took my breath away. Jas was absolutely brilliant and had so many stories still to tell. She made an indelible mark on our show and my heart breaks for her loved ones. RIP @JasFly https://t.co/fAZlIjhsIH
— Dan Fogelman (@Dan_Fogelman) June 10, 2020
Star Mandy Moore, who plays Rebecca Pearson, posted, "Sending love and light to @JasFly’s family and loved ones."
Sending love and light to @JasFly’s family and loved ones. 💓💓💓💓
— Mandy Moore (@TheMandyMoore) June 10, 2020
Susan Kelechi Watson, who plays Beth Pearson on This Is Us, wrote, "Incredibly shocked and saddened to have just received this news. Blessed Light, fly with the angels. @JasFly #jaswaters."
Incredibly shocked and saddened to have just receive this news. Blessed Light, fly with the angels. @JasFly #jaswaters Jas Waters Dies: ‘This Is Us’ Writer Dead at 39 https://t.co/VU1fzGdVIN via @heavysan
— Susan Kelechi Watson (@skelechiwatson) June 10, 2020
Chrissy Metz, Moore's TV daughter, Kate Pearson, wrote, "We were graced with @JasFly on the show as a fantastic writer but to know her and her beautiful spirit was to love her. I am praying for your beautiful transition, Jas. May it be full of love, light and peace. Thank you for the time we shared, your fearlessness and inspiration."
We were graced with @JasFly on the show as a fantastic writer but to know her and her beautiful spirit was to love her. I am praying for your beautiful transition, Jas. May it be full of love, light and peace. Thank you for the time we shared, your fearlessness and inspiration ❤️
— Chrissy Metz (@ChrissyMetz) June 11, 2020
The This Is Us family weren't the only stars to speak out in the wake of Waters' death. Issa Rae, Amber Riley, and more all shared their grief in posts. See their touching tributes:
I‘ll never forget being so excited to get an interview w/ @JasFly for Necole Bitchie back when I was working on ABG. I could feel her warmth through the phone. Over the years, I got to know & appreciate her even more. She was so generous, beautiful and REAL. I’ll miss you, girl.
— Issa Rae (@IssaRae) June 10, 2020
Damn man. @JasFly was good people. Rest In Peace to a real one.
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) June 10, 2020
I can’t believe I woke up to hearing you are gone @JasFly. You inspired me so much and challenged my thinking also. I truly admired you as a writer and just as a black woman. We never got to work together like we wanted, but I’m so glad to have known you. #RIPJasFly
— Amber Patrice Riley (@MsAmberPRiley) June 10, 2020
✨ Thank you for your time here and honest perfectly put words 🥺🙏🏾💔 rest in Love queen . 🌟 #jasfly 👑 https://t.co/sfWFsIAAzO
— SZA (@sza) June 11, 2020
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