Tommy “Tiny” Lister, who appeared in “Friday” and “The Fifth Element” and was also a professional wrestler, died Thursday, his manager Cindy Cowan confirmed.
Cowan said he was found unresponsive in his apartment in Marina del Rey, Calif. after displaying symptoms of COVID-19 in recent days. He had been working on a film and had to cancel shooting after falling ill, Cowan said.
Pat Saperstein
Thu, December 10, 2020, 8:13 PM CST·2 min read
Tommy “Tiny” Lister, who appeared in “Friday” and “The Fifth Element” and was also a professional wrestler, died Thursday, his manager Cindy Cowan confirmed.
Cowan said he was found unresponsive in his apartment in Marina del Rey, Calif. after displaying symptoms of COVID-19 in recent days. He had been working on a film and had to cancel shooting after falling ill, Cowan said.
More from Variety
John Witherspoon, 'Friday' Actor and Comedian, Dies at 77
Ice Cube Talks 'Death Certificate,' 'Friday,' and His Star on the Walk of Fame
Reynaldo Rey, 'Friday' and 'White Men Can't Jump' Actor, Dies at 75
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“He was a wonderful guy with a heart of gold. Everyone loved him. A real gentle giant,” she said, “We’re all devastated.”
Lister wrestled Hulk Hogan in the World Wrestling Federation after appearing as Zeus in 1989’s “No Holds Barred.” He later spent time in World Championship Wrestling, where he was billed as Z-Gangsta.
The actor, who was blind in his right eye, played the neighborhood bully Deebo in the 1995 “Friday” and appeared in the sequel “Next Friday.”
His other appearances include playing a prisoner in “The Dark Knight,” and the bail agent in “Jackie Brown,” as well as roles in “The Players Club,” Ice Cube’s directing debut and Mario Van Peeble’s “Posse.” He had a supporting role in “Zootopia” as the voice of the fennec fox, in Adam Sandler’s “Little Nicky” as Nicky’s brother Cassius, and in “Austin Powers in Goldmember.” In “The Fifth Element,” he played the Galactic President.
In the pilot of “Star Trek: Enterprise,” he played Klaang, the first Klingon to make contact with humans. Also on television, he appeared as Mr. Matlock’s bodyguard in “Matlock” and on “In the Heat of the Night.”
Lister appeared in music videos for French Montana, 50 Cent, Sublime, Ice Cube, Chamillionaire and Young Bleed.
Born in Compton, Calif., he won the national shot put title in college, and briefly played football before deciding to become an actor.
He is survived by a daughter.
Tommy “Tiny” Lister, who appeared in “Friday” and “The Fifth Element” and was also a professional wrestler, died Thursday, his manager Cindy Cowan confirmed.
Cowan said he was found unresponsive in his apartment in Marina del Rey, Calif. after displaying symptoms of COVID-19 in recent days. He had been working on a film and had to cancel shooting after falling ill, Cowan said.
Pat Saperstein
Thu, December 10, 2020, 8:13 PM CST·2 min read
Tommy “Tiny” Lister, who appeared in “Friday” and “The Fifth Element” and was also a professional wrestler, died Thursday, his manager Cindy Cowan confirmed.
Cowan said he was found unresponsive in his apartment in Marina del Rey, Calif. after displaying symptoms of COVID-19 in recent days. He had been working on a film and had to cancel shooting after falling ill, Cowan said.
More from Variety
John Witherspoon, 'Friday' Actor and Comedian, Dies at 77
Ice Cube Talks 'Death Certificate,' 'Friday,' and His Star on the Walk of Fame
Reynaldo Rey, 'Friday' and 'White Men Can't Jump' Actor, Dies at 75
- ADVERTISEMENT -
“He was a wonderful guy with a heart of gold. Everyone loved him. A real gentle giant,” she said, “We’re all devastated.”
Lister wrestled Hulk Hogan in the World Wrestling Federation after appearing as Zeus in 1989’s “No Holds Barred.” He later spent time in World Championship Wrestling, where he was billed as Z-Gangsta.
The actor, who was blind in his right eye, played the neighborhood bully Deebo in the 1995 “Friday” and appeared in the sequel “Next Friday.”
His other appearances include playing a prisoner in “The Dark Knight,” and the bail agent in “Jackie Brown,” as well as roles in “The Players Club,” Ice Cube’s directing debut and Mario Van Peeble’s “Posse.” He had a supporting role in “Zootopia” as the voice of the fennec fox, in Adam Sandler’s “Little Nicky” as Nicky’s brother Cassius, and in “Austin Powers in Goldmember.” In “The Fifth Element,” he played the Galactic President.
In the pilot of “Star Trek: Enterprise,” he played Klaang, the first Klingon to make contact with humans. Also on television, he appeared as Mr. Matlock’s bodyguard in “Matlock” and on “In the Heat of the Night.”
Lister appeared in music videos for French Montana, 50 Cent, Sublime, Ice Cube, Chamillionaire and Young Bleed.
Born in Compton, Calif., he won the national shot put title in college, and briefly played football before deciding to become an actor.
He is survived by a daughter.
Actor Tommy ‘Tiny’ Lister has died at 62, reports Variety. Lister was found in his L.A. apartment and an investigation is underway.
Lister’s entertainment career began in the 1980s, including an appearance opposite Hulk Hogan in the 1989 wrestling movie No Holds Barred as the heel, Zeus. A short stint in the WWE and the WCW followed, but it was his role as Deebo in F. Gary Gray’s 1995 film Friday that shot him to stardom.
Info News
Can Credit Repair Companies Really Remove Collections?
Credit repair advertisements are everywhere.
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“Boost your credit score fast.”
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“Remove collections instantly.”
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“Fix bad credit now.”
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Sounds amazing, right?
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But many people eventually wonder something important.
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Can credit repair companies really remove collections?
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The answer is more complicated than most advertisements make it seem.
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Some collection accounts can be challenged successfully. Others remain permanently difficult to remove.
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Understanding how the process actually works can save you money, stress, and unrealistic expectations.
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What Collection Accounts Do to Your Credit Score
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Collections can seriously damage credit scores.
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Especially when accounts remain unpaid.
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Lenders often see collections as signs of financial risk.
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That may affect:
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rn - Loan approvals
rn - Mortgage applications
rn - Car financing
rn - Credit card offers
rn - Insurance pricing
rn - Apartment applications
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Even small collections can create major problems.
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What Credit Repair Companies Actually Do
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Many people assume credit repair companies have special legal powers.
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They do not.
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Most legitimate companies simply:
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rn - Review credit reports
rn - Identify inaccurate information
rn - Dispute questionable accounts
rn - Communicate with credit bureaus
rn - Negotiate with creditors
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Consumers can legally perform many of these steps themselves.
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That surprises a lot of people.
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When Collection Accounts Can Be Removed
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This is the part many companies avoid explaining clearly.
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Collections usually get removed only under specific situations.
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Incorrect Information
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If a collection contains inaccurate details, it may qualify for removal.
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Examples include:
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rn - Wrong balances
rn - Incorrect dates
rn - Identity errors
rn - Duplicate accounts
rn - Fraudulent debts
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Credit bureaus must investigate disputed information.
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Lack of Verification
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Debt collectors must verify debts when challenged.
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If they fail to provide proper documentation, accounts may sometimes be removed.
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But this does not happen automatically.
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Pay-for-Delete Agreements
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Some collection agencies agree to remove accounts after payment.
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This is called a pay-for-delete arrangement.
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Not all agencies allow this.
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And some major creditors refuse entirely.
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What Credit Repair Companies Cannot Legally Do
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This is extremely important.
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No legitimate company can legally remove accurate negative information simply because you want it gone.
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That includes:
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rn - Legitimate late payments
rn - Valid collections
rn - Accurate defaults
rn - Real repossessions
rn - Correct bankruptcies
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If a company guarantees instant deletion of accurate debts, that’s a major warning sign.
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Warning Signs of Credit Repair Scams
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The credit repair industry attracts many bad actors.
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Be cautious if companies:
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rn - Demand large upfront fees
rn - Promise guaranteed score increases
rn - Tell you to create a new identity
rn - Instruct you to lie on applications
rn - Claim they can erase all bad credit
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Those tactics may create legal problems.
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How Long Collections Stay on Credit Reports
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Most collections remain on credit reports for up to seven years.
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However, their impact may decrease over time.
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Newer collections typically damage scores more heavily than older ones.
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Paying collections may also improve lending opportunities in some situations.
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DIY Credit Repair vs Hiring Professionals
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Some people successfully dispute collections themselves.
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Others prefer professional assistance because the process becomes time-consuming.
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A good credit repair company may help organize disputes and communication more efficiently.
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But consumers should understand what they are paying for.
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Other Ways to Improve Credit Faster
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Removing collections is only one piece of the puzzle.
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Strong credit improvement strategies often include:
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rn - Making on-time payments
rn - Lowering credit card balances
rn - Avoiding unnecessary hard inquiries
rn - Keeping older accounts open
rn - Monitoring credit reports regularly
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Consistent habits matter more than quick tricks.
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Why Credit Repair Keywords Have High CPC
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Credit repair leads are extremely valuable to:
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rn - Financial service companies
rn - Lenders
rn - Debt consolidation firms
rn - Credit monitoring providers
rn - Personal finance platforms
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That strong commercial intent drives aggressive advertising competition.
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Final Takeaway
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Credit repair companies can sometimes help remove collection accounts, but only under specific circumstances.
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Accurate negative information usually cannot legally disappear overnight.
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The best results often come from realistic expectations, careful financial habits, and understanding your legal rights during the credit dispute process.
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If something sounds too good to be true in the credit repair industry, it usually is.
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FAQ
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Can paying a collection remove it from my credit report?
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Not automatically. Some agencies may agree to pay-for-delete arrangements, but many do not.
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Are credit repair companies legitimate?
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Some are legitimate, but consumers should research carefully because scams exist in the industry.
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How long do collections stay on credit reports?
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Most collections remain for up to seven years.
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Can I dispute collections myself?
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Yes. Consumers have the legal right to dispute inaccurate information directly with credit bureaus.
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Do paid collections still affect credit scores?
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They may still affect scores, though some scoring models weigh paid collections differently.
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Cybersecurity Threats in the Digital Age
Cybersecurity has become one of the most important concerns in the modern digital world. Businesses, governments, and individuals increasingly rely on online systems for communication, banking, shopping, and data storage. As technology advances, cybercriminals continue developing sophisticated methods to steal information, disrupt systems, and commit financial fraud.
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Common cybersecurity threats include phishing attacks, ransomware, identity theft, malware infections, and data breaches. Hackers often target businesses and individuals through deceptive emails, malicious websites, and weak passwords. Financial institutions, healthcare systems, and government agencies are especially vulnerable because they store sensitive personal and financial information.
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Organizations are investing heavily in cybersecurity systems to protect digital infrastructure and customer data. Firewalls, encryption technologies, antivirus software, and multi-factor authentication tools help reduce security risks. Employee training is also essential because human error remains one of the leading causes of cyber incidents.
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Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to improve cybersecurity defense systems. AI-powered tools can monitor networks, detect unusual activity, and respond to threats faster than traditional methods. However, cybercriminals are also using advanced technology to launch more complex attacks, creating an ongoing digital security battle.
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Experts believe cybersecurity education and public awareness will become even more important as internet usage and digital transactions continue growing worldwide. Protecting personal information and online privacy remains essential in the rapidly evolving digital economy.
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