“Queer Eye” star Tom Jackson has died aged 63 following a battle with cancer.
Jackson’s family revealed Thursday that the beloved father and grandfather lost his battle with metastatic adenocarcinoma on March 2.
The hit Netflix show’s official Instagram account later confirmed the news, writing, “It’s with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to a member of our Queer Eye family. Rest in peace, Tom Jackson.”
“Such incredibly sad news,” commented fashion guru Tan France.
Fellow “Queer Eye” star Jonathan Van Ness paid tribute, writing, “RIP Tom ❤️.”
In the online obituary, Jackson’s family thanked medics for helping him with “treatment and comfort during his final days.”
“We will never forget our beloved Tom,” they wrote. “He brought joy, humor, persistence, and love to our family. He is special to us, and we look forward to seeing him again one day.”
His loved ones have asked fans to watch Jackson’s “Queer Eye” episode in his honor.
Jackson became an instant fan-favorite after he appeared in the premiere episode of the reboot in February 2018, titled “You Can’t Fix Ugly.”
The Fab Five, consisting of Jonathan Van Ness, Karamo Brown, Antoni Porowski, Tan France, and Bobby Berk, all contributed to elevating Jackson’s style, appearance and lifestyle.
During the heartwarming episode, Jackson famously proclaimed, “You can’t fix ugly.”
The episode also saw him reconcile with his ex-wife, Abby Parr.
The pair went on to tie the knot a second time after the episode, but ultimately parted ways yet again in 2019, he revealed on Twitter.
Before starring in “Queer Eye,” Jackson worked as a dump-truck driver in Georgia.
He considered one of his greatest accomplishments to be “a Papaw to his two grandsons who were his pride and joy,” according to his obituary.
“A highlight of Tom’s life was being cast on the Netflix show, ‘Queer Eye’. He enjoyed the notoriety and shared his experience with whoever would listen,” Jackson’s family added.
Jackson leaves behind his two sisters, two grandsons, and his daughter, who appeared on the hit show.
His memorial service is set for March 12 in Kennesaw, Georgia.