When the news broke on December 10, 2020, that Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr. had been found dead in his Marina Del Rey home, the internet went into a tailspin. We all knew him as Deebo—the terrifying, bike-stealing neighborhood bully from Friday who could make you hand over your chain just by looking at you. He was 62. He was a giant. And suddenly, he was gone.
Because he died during the height of the pandemic, the rumor mill started churning immediately. Everyone assumed it was COVID-19. His manager even mentioned he'd been feeling sick with "COVID-like symptoms" for about a week. But when the official reports finally dropped months later, the truth was a bit more complicated than a single virus.
The Official Tommy Lister Cause of Death
Honestly, the headlines were a bit of a mess for a while. However, the L.A. County Medical Examiner eventually cleared the air. The official Tommy Lister cause of death was hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
In plain English? It was heart disease.
The autopsy didn't just stop there. It painted a picture of a man whose body was under incredible strain. Tiny Lister had an enlarged heart. He was dealing with coronary artery disease. His circulation was poor. He had high blood pressure. Basically, the "Gentle Giant" had a heart that was struggling to keep up with his 6'5" frame.
The Role of COVID-19
Here is where it gets tricky. Yes, he tested positive. A nasal swab performed during the autopsy confirmed he had the virus at the time he passed away. There was also fluid in his chest, which is often a hallmark of respiratory distress.
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But the medical examiner didn't list COVID as the primary killer. It was a contributing factor, sure, but his heart simply gave out first.
His manager, Cindy Cowan, shared some pretty heartbreaking details about his final days. He had actually contracted COVID-19 months earlier, back in August of 2020, and seemingly recovered. But a week before he died, the symptoms came roaring back. He was struggling to breathe. He felt incredibly weak. He even had to cancel work on a new movie set because he just couldn't move.
"He thought maybe his diabetes was starting to kick up because he just wasn't feeling right," Cowan told reporters. "He said, 'I feel like I'm getting COVID again.'"
A Closer Look at the Autopsy Findings
The report from the L.A. County Medical Examiner was pretty exhaustive. It revealed that Lister was battling several "silent killers" all at once. If you look at the breakdown of what the doctors found, it’s a list of conditions that many people—especially Black men in America—struggle with:
- Hypertension: Chronic high blood pressure that damages arteries over time.
- Atherosclerosis: A hardening of the arteries that restricts blood flow.
- Enlarged Heart: Known medically as cardiomegaly, which makes the heart less efficient at pumping blood.
- Pulmonary Edema: That fluid in the chest mentioned earlier, which makes every breath a battle.
It is a heavy list.
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It’s also worth noting that Lister was blind in his right eye from birth due to a detached retina. While that had nothing to do with his death, it speaks to the physical challenges he'd navigated his whole life while building a massive career in wrestling and film.
Why This Hit Fans So Hard
Tiny wasn't just an actor; he was a piece of the culture. Whether he was playing Zeus in the WWE (then WWF) alongside Hulk Hogan or the President of the Galaxy in The Fifth Element, he had this "larger than life" energy.
When he died, the tributes were everywhere. Ice Cube, who basically helped create the Deebo mythos, called him a "born entertainer." Magic Johnson posted about him. It felt like losing a neighborhood staple.
What makes the Tommy Lister cause of death so poignant is that he was actually excited about the future. He was supposedly one of the first people in line for the vaccine back then. He wanted to get back to work. He wanted to see his daughter, Faith. He was working out, trying to stay in shape during the lockdowns, and by all accounts, he was motivated.
Lessons from a Legend's Passing
Looking back at what happened to Tommy Lister, there are a few things that really stand out regarding health and awareness. Heart disease is often called the "silent killer" because you don't always feel your arteries hardening or your heart enlarging until it’s too late.
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If there is anything to take away from this tragedy, it's the importance of listening to your body.
Actionable Insights for Heart Health:
- Monitor your blood pressure: Don't wait for a doctor's visit. High blood pressure (anything consistently over 130/80) is the leading driver of the conditions Lister had.
- Don't ignore respiratory changes: Shortness of breath isn't always "just a cold" or "just getting older." If you're struggling to catch your wind, get a professional opinion.
- Understand your risk factors: Diabetes and hypertension often travel together. If you have one, you're at much higher risk for the other.
- Advocate for yourself: Lister was reportedly hesitant to go back to the hospital. If you feel "not right," push for answers.
Tommy Lister Jr. left behind a massive legacy and over 200 acting credits. He was the "bully" we all loved to hate, but behind the scenes, he was a man who worked hard and cared deeply for his family. Understanding what really happened at the end doesn't change his legacy—it just reminds us to take care of our own.
To stay on top of your own cardiovascular health, schedule a calcium score test or a comprehensive heart screening with your primary care provider. These tests can identify the "silent" plaque buildup that lead to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease before symptoms even start. Check your blood pressure regularly at home and keep a log to share with your doctor during your next physical.