Supermodel-actor Sam Sarpong dies jumping from bridge

Maria Puente | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Sam Sarpong: MTV Co-Host, actor and model dies at 40 Actor, model, and co-host of MTV's reality show 'Yo Momma' with Wilmer Valderrama has passed away at the age of 40.

Sam Sarpong, a supermodel and former host of MTV's Yo Momma, has died after jumping off a bridge in Pasadena, Calif. He was 40.

Ed Winter, spokesman for the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, said Sarpong was found shortly after 3 pm Monday below the Colorado Street Bridge, known as a "suicide bridge."

Winter said a witness saw Sarpong leap from the bridge.

A final cause of death is pending toxicology reports, Winter said.

He is survived by his sister, British TV presenter June Sarpong.

Give your friends a hug today and let them know they are loved. We lost a good one. #SamSarpong pic.twitter.com/L5TcGZE80N — ACE YOUNG (@IAMACEYOUNG) October 28, 2015

Sarpong, who lived in Pasadena, was born in London and moved to the USA with his Ghana-born father when he was 11.

He appeared as an actor in scores of films, such as Anchor Baby and Love Don't Cost a Thing, and also scores of TV series, such as Bones, 24, Cold Case, NCIS and ER.

His IMDb page reports he was filming a role in the upcoming FX series, American Crime Story, scheduled to air in 2016.

As a model for Tommy Hilfiger, he was the face of the brand for several years. He also modeled for designers such as Versace, Donna Karan, Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana.

He may have been best known as a co-host on MTV’s Yo Mommafor three seasons alongside Wilmer Valderrama.

He won the MAA Fashion Award for Male Model of the Year, and twice was named by Today's Black Woman magazine on their "Fifty Most Beautiful People" list.

Mournful posts on social media quickly appeared as the news spread.

Tears! Sam. No! 😥 RT #SamSarpong Dies: Tommy Hilfiger Model,Yo Momma Host, Actor Dead of Apparent Suicide https://t.co/rbX4WFyuqY — Christine Devine (@DevineNews) October 28, 2015