Middlebrooks died last Monday in the Los Angeles area, his friend and manager Steve Ivey said. The cause of death or further details have not been released yet.
In a statement, Middlebrooks' family members said that "with sorrowed hearts, announce the passing of a young, black star" who had exited the stage with "great joy." "It was Windell's biggest wish that his final scene not be lived on social media," his family said, asking for privacy to mourn.
In addition to its striking TV spots for Miller High Life beer, see below, Middlebrooks was also known for the television series ‘Body of Proof’, ‘Scrubs’ and ‘The Suit Life on Deck’.
"In all my years, I've never known a kinder soul, and he will be dearly missed by all of us who knew him," Ivey said.
Windell Middlebrooks was just 36 years old.
Windell Middlebrooks