Ok, so I downloaded "Endless Night" from The Lion King onto my iPod today (gorgeous song) and I thought Jason Raize's voice was so beautiful so I decided that I would look him up and find out more about him, and I just went to a website that said he killed himself last year! I'm sure this isn't news to anyone but me, but that is so sad! Such an amazing voice and he was so gorgeous. Poor guy, I hope he feels better wherever he is now.
Yes, It was so sad to hear this last year. He did have an amazing voice.
he was in Australia when he did it. I wonder why
Jason Raize was ridiculously talented. His suicide was such a tragedy and a great loss to the theatre community. I get sad whenever I listen to my "The Lion King" OBCR.
"Poor guy, I hope he feels better wherever he is now."
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!
Why the HELL is that funny?
As someone who has lost someone close to me to suicide and very nearly lost another, I can't for the life of me understand what you found funny about that.
Broadway Star Joined: 6/28/03
just ignore him bronx likes to stir things up.
You're right bwaybaby - just got under my skin. Grrrr...
"Poor guy, I hope he feels better wherever he is now."
I'm sorry but the comment almost sounds pro-suicide.
His death was a great loss to the theatre community and listening to "Endless Night" is definitely different from what it was several months previous to his death. Still a great song and memory of a good performer.
Did anyone ever find out why he did it? He didn't leave a note or anything? That sucks...
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
I heard he had a drug problem -- he became addicted to methamphetamines.
Its such a tragedy when someone decides to take their own life. The Theater community lost a great member.
It's a total shame. He was talented, cute, and easily the only thing in The Lion King that held my attention.
Anyone remember his Disney in concert special with Jessica Simpson, when he was trying to launch a pop career? I do. I still have his cover of "You win again" on my computer. I agree though, his "Endless Night" is stunning.
He had the most adorable smile...
>>I'm sorry but the comment almost sounds pro-suicide.
Well, it most certainly wasn't. When someone takes their own life than it's obviously because they had major problems going on that really sucked. I'm not saying that what he did was good or necessary, I was just saying that he did it and there is nothing that can be done about it now so I just pray that he has found some kind of peace and is away from the problems he had while he was on this earth.
Featured Actor Joined: 12/31/69
I have his two singles that he released..
I have them on cds in the car so I can listen to them. I enjoy them. It is a shame he passed so early in life.
Bronx- you may be annoying, but I never knew you were so cold hearted.
Updated On: 4/8/05 at 03:46 PM
A year ago today, April 8th, we celebrated the life of Jason Raize @ The New Amsterdam Theatre. It gave family, friends and fans a chance to gain some closure. Photos were displayed of Jason throughout his life, speeches were given by friends and family, songs were sung. His death brought sadness to all of us, but his work was inspiring. His absence in the theatre community will in my opinion always be felt. Hopefully Jason will be remembered for the positive mark he left on the world and in our hearts and not for the way we lost him. I will forever miss his smile.
Thanks for sharing TheatreManiac. Jason had an absolutely radiant smile.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
He was so amzingly attractive!
I saw him in Lion King WELL into the run- I think it might have been his second run in it even- and I was amazed at how thoroughly he threw himself into the part. He was so enthusiatic!
I remember going to work on campus, sitting down to check playbill.com as usual. Scrolling through the headlines, I check "this" and "that." I could not believe my eyes when I read the article. In regards to his pop-career, I remember the article mentioning that he was quite disappointed in the progress/status. I was really sorry to read that. It's just really unfortunate.
If you can get a hold of Jason's unreleased CD labeled, "Transitions" (on eBay) -- there a quite a few good songs on there.
Jason also did a cover of The Sounds of Silence on the Paul Simon album. It's chilling.
You know how it goes though, it's not always about talent.
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