Actress Alexis Arquette dies

MANILA, Philippines – Transgender actress Alexis Arquette died on Sunday, September 11 at the age of 47 years old. The cause of her death was not released.

The news was confirmed by Alexis’ brother Richmond. People posted Richmond’s statement from his Facebook.

“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.

“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,” Richmond said.

Alexis is also the sister of actors Patricia, David, and Rossana Arquette. On his Facebook, Richmond posted a statement from all of the siblings, written by Patricia.

“Our sister, Alexis Arquette, passed away this morning, September 11th, 2016.

“Alexis was a brilliant artist and painter, a singer, an entertainer and an actor. She starred in movies like Last Exit to Brooklyn, Pulp Fiction,Jumpin’ at the Boneyard, Of Mice and Men, The Wedding Singer, and The Bride of Chucky. Her career was cut short, not by her passing, but by her decision to live her truth and her life as a transgender woman. Despite the fact that there are few parts for trans actors, she refused to play roles that were demeaning or stereotypical. She was a vanguard in the fight for understanding and acceptance for all trans people.

“She fiercely lived her reality in a world where it is dangerous to be a trans person — a world largely unready to accept differences among human beings, and where there is still the ugliness of violence and hostility towards people that we may not understand.”

The siblings also said that as Alexis was transitioning from her identity as Robert back then, she thought them “tolerance and accpetance,” as well as the meaning of “real love.”

“We learned what real bravery is through watching her journey of living as a trans woman. We came to discover the one truth — that love is everything.”

The siblings also said that in lieu of flowers and gifts, they were asking friends to donate to organizations on behalf of the LGBTQ community.

Following the death of their sister, David and Patricia posted tributes on their social media accounts.

“Thank you all for your love and kind words about Alexis. My hero for eternity,” David wrote.

Thank you all for your love and kind words about Alexis. My hero for eternity pic.twitter.com/Z18xLtYTBv

— David Arquette (@DavidArquette) September 11, 2016

Patricia meanwhile posted the song “StarMan” by David Bowie.

Breaking through the veil singing StarMan https://t.co/A3way5S3Lb

— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) September 11, 2016

Born as Robert Arquette, Alexis documented her transition in a movie called Alexis Arquette: She’s My Brother in 2007.

Alexis also appeared as a guest on various TV shows such as Friends,Felicity, and Californication. –Rappler.com