LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Julian Sands, who was discovered dead on Mount Baldy on June 24 after going missing during a hike on January 13, has received a poignant tribute from 'Yellowjackets' actress Melanie Lynskey. Julian was discovered dead in the area and the remains have been "positively identified," the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said in a statement, adding that the cause of death was still being looked into "pending further test results."
The 46-year-old actor wrote a long obituary for Sands on Instagram on Wednesday, June 28. She wrote in her post, "Julian Sands. I met you on the set of Rose Red in 2000. 'A Room With A View' was a movie I had seen dozens of times, and I adored you in it. I was so nervous I could barely speak to you."
'I was struck by your humility'
She added, "When I did finally tell you what the movie/you meant to me, I was struck by your humility, your lack of ego, the absence of any grandstanding." As she went on, Lynskey described how she and Sands became "fast friends." She added, "You bought me so many presents, mostly huge and intimidating non-fiction books and classical music CDs, You found out I'd never been to the opera, and so you came to my apartment one night and picked me up, took me out for champagne, and took me to the opera. You giggled when I yawned."
"We lost touch, but I have never forgotten your kindness, and I will never forget you. My heart goes out to your family and loved ones," the 'Ted Lasso' actor concluded her statement.
'Genuinely fearless'
Numerous celebrities and admirers have paid respects to the actor since the news surfaced. Mike Figgis, a longtime friend and coworker of Sands, remembered the 'A Room With A View' actor as a charming performer who was "genuinely fearless." Figgis told The Guardian, "Julian was conscious of the power of his charisma and his looks, in an impish, devilish kind of way. And perhaps because he was so handsome, he was very secure in himself," as reported by Independent.