Floyd Roger Myers Jr., Child Star of ‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ Series, Dies at 42

Floyd Roger Myers. Jr., an actor best known for his role as a young Will Smith in season three of the original The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air series has died at 42. TMZ was first to report the news, saying that his mother, Renee Trice, announced that her son had passed away early Wednesday morning (Oct. 29) from a heart attack at his home in Maryland. She reportedly noted that her son had suffered three previous heart attacks over the past three years.

Trice honored her son in a Facebook post featuring a picture of Myers Jr. with his family with the caption, “THIS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE SO.”

The actor’s younger sister, Tyree, shared a remembrance on a Gofundme page to support her brother’s family in which she wrote, “It is with heavy hearts that we share the unexpected passing of my beloved brother, Floyd Roger Myers Jr , who tragically left us today after a sudden heart attack. He was a devoted father, loving brother, and friend whose kindness, laughter, and warmth touched everyone he met. Roger leaves behind his four beautiful children — Taelyn, Kinsley, Tyler, and Knox — and our loving family is now facing the unimaginable loss of someone who meant everything to us.”

Myers Jr. made his on-screen debut in 1992 when he played Young Will in an episode of the sitcom that helped launch rapper Smith into a three-plus decade acting career. That same year, he also played Jackson 5 member Marlon Jackson in the ABC miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream, which also starred Vanessa Williams, Angela Bassett and Billy Dee Williams.

The actor’s limited resumé also included a one-episode appearance in the short-lived 2000 WB TV drama Young Americans. Myers Jr. was also the co-founder of the Fellaship Mens Group, whose goal is to help men “lead, heal & thrive.” The group honored the father of four with an Instagram tribute that read, “RIP to our good brother @rocwonder one of our co founders. Gone but never will be forgotten. The mission will continue in your honor. Next mens meeting will be one for the books like we talked about! Love you bro, rest easy, big bro will take it from here.”