Alexis Arquette, a transgender actress and activist, died on Sunday at 47. Arquette, born Robert Arquette, first came to public attention in the 1980s with roles in films like “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” and “Of Mice and Men.” In the mid-1990s, Arquette began transitioning to female, and she later legally changed her name to Alexis.
In recent years, Arquette has become an outspoken advocate for the transgender community, and she was featured in the 2015 documentary “Alexis Arquette: She’s My Brother.” Her brother, Richmond Arquette, first reported Arquette’s death on Facebook. “Our brother Robert, who became our brother Alexis, who became our sister Alexis, who became our brother Alexis, passed this morning, September 11, at 12:32 am,” he wrote. “He was surrounded by all of his brothers and sisters, one of his nieces and several other loved ones,” Richmond Arquette continued.
“We played music for him, and he passed during David Bowie’s ‘Starman.’ Per his wishes, we cheered when he transitioned to another dimension.” Alexis Arquette was a pioneer in the transgender community, and her death is a significant loss. She will be remembered for her courage and advocacy, and her legacy will live on.
