'Boardwalk Empire' Actor Devin Harjes Passes Away at 41 — Details Revealed as Fans Send Prayers

The sudden death of the "Boardwalk Empire" actor has sparked a public reaction, as those close to him have revealed his cause of death.

Devin Harjes, known for his several on-screen roles, including "Daredevil," died on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at the age of 41. News of his passing prompted a range of reactions online, with many offering condolences.

According to a representative, he passed away at Mount Sinai West Hospital in New York City due to complications from cancer. He had been diagnosed earlier in the winter.

In a statement, the representative described Devin as "an artist of great conviction" who was fully committed to every role. The statement also noted his compassion, generosity, and dedication to family and friends, as well as his strong connection to animals and love of horseback riding.

Trish Harjes, Devin's sister, also confirmed his passing on Facebook. She encouraged supporters to celebrate his life by donating to TKC Blessings in his name, which supports scholarships for young artists. She also invited people to leave tributes and photos at Devin's online obituary, where a memorial video will be made available.

In the hours following the news, netizens also shared their thoughts online. One said, "I am unfamiliar with his career, but condolences to his family and loved ones. Cancer is an awful disease that knows no bounds."

A different commenter reacted, "Oh no 😢 this is horrible news. He was an incredibly talented actor who will be deeply missed. I loved watching him in Daredevil and Gotham [sic]. He brought so much depth and nuance to his characters."

Another individual expressed sadness over Devin's death at a young age. One fan wrote, "Gone too soon, RIP 😔." A fifth remarked, "A tragic loss—Devin Harjes brought talent to the screen in Boardwalk Empire and Manifest, gone too soon at 41. Condolences to his loved ones. 🕊️ [sic]."

Someone else commented, "Cancer sucks! Cancer doesn't care how young or popular you are. Cancer doesn't care about your work outs [sic] or great diet. It comes for good people all the time."

One person shared, "Prayers to the family." Another expressed disbelief, "This is so sad! My condolences to his family." A different individual noted, "He will always be in our hearts this day forward ❤️🙏♥️."

As netizens mourned the loss of the actor, colleagues also paid tribute. Filmmaker Antonio DiFonzo, who worked with Devin on "The Boyz of Summer," reflected on his deep commitment to acting and the lasting impact he had on those around him, both professionally and personally.

Debra Markowitz, a writer and director, also shared her condolences on Instagram, calling Devin a Long Island International Film Expo alumnus who was "way too young" to go.

Devin was born on July 29, 1983, and raised near Lubbock in the heart of West Texas. From the beginning, Devin's life was shaped by the land and his bond with animals — a connection that began when his father took him and his sister on horseback just days after he was born.

That upbringing, rooted in grit and openness, helped shape his values and artistic voice.

Devin brought that same grounded spirit to a career that spanned stage, screen, and independent film. He began in the Dallas–Fort Worth theater scene, earning praise for standout performances, including his portrayal of Billy Bibbit in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest."

After relocating to New York City, he immersed himself in off-Broadway productions and student films, eventually gaining recognition for his work in the indie circuit.

He earned Best Actor at the Tolentino International Film Festival in Italy for "The Forest is Red," and received Honorable Mention for Best Supporting Actor at the Long Island International Film Expo for "The Boyz of Summer."

In addition to his stage and film work, Devin made memorable appearances in television dramas such as "Gotham" (as Clyde), "Orange Is the New Black" (as Arlen), "Elementary" (as Nick Agnes), "Blue Bloods" (as Sam Padell), "FBI" (as Tim Shaunessy), and "Manifest" (as Pete Baylor), taking on roles that showcased his versatility and depth as a performer.

Now that he is gone, those closest to him remember the life he lived beyond the screen. He is survived by his parents, Randy and Rosanne Harjes; his sister, Trish, and her husband, Justin Kelley; his nephews, Tristin and Sawyer; his nieces, Rory and Charly; and his beloved cat, Maude.

Devin also leaves behind his former wife, writer, actress, and producer Shiva Kalaiselvan.

Shortly before actor Devin's death, another public figure's passing stirred similar waves of public mourning.

Latonya Pottain, known for her appearance on Season 11 of "My 600-lb Life," died on May 17 at CHRISTUS Highland Medical Center in Shreveport, Louisiana. The 40-year-old's story resonated with viewers due to her candid revelations about the emotional and physical challenges she faced.

Pottain's death was officially reported on May 19. The Natchitoches Parish Coroner's Office confirmed that they did not perform an autopsy. They attributed the preliminary cause of death to natural causes, specifically congestive heart failure. Her family has already received her body from the funeral home.

She died just hours after spending the morning with several family members who had come to visit her. Her brother shared that she had been experiencing breathing difficulties and did not look well.

He revealed that Pottain had told the nurse she was feeling extremely uncomfortable. Her family later learned that she had personally called an ambulance after experiencing cardiac arrest, which ultimately caused her death.

Her family and friends are in charge of her funeral arrangements, and her online obituary asked others to pray for the family and included options to send flowers or contribute to the memorial fund.

Pottain's health complications had long been a matter of concern. According to The Sun, about a year before her death, she made a desperate plea to fans on Facebook, "Y'all pray for me my heart not working right and there is nothing more the doctors can do here in Louisiana please keep me lifted. [sic]"

Her time on the TLC reality show highlighted her deep struggles with food addiction and mental health. Though she hired a personal trainer in hopes of adhering to the program, she was unable to maintain consistent progress.

Furthermore, the reality personality often shared that eating helped ease her emotional burdens. She acknowledged that her eating habits were unhealthy and harmful. However, she found it difficult to change and felt disappointed in herself for her situation.

Pottain's battle extended beyond what was shown on television. In a GoFundMe campaign, she wrote candidly about her condition.

Since June 2024, she had been bedridden, and her weight was nearing 705 pounds. She explained that she once weighed 740 pounds and had worked to bring it down, but her physical and emotional health deteriorated over time.

After appearing on the show, she said the public backlash triggered a deep depression, making her fearful of undergoing surgery.

In 2023, she relocated to Houston with hopes of a new beginning. However, she instead became involved in an abusive relationship and received the difficult news of her father's cancer diagnosis.

This stress prompted her to return to Louisiana. There, her condition worsened, including severe sciatica nerve pain and stomach cramps.

She was prescribed medication, but her body rejected it, prompting her to begin therapy. Additionally, emergency medical technicians refused to transport her due to the fire hazard her weight posed.

Without the means to work or access special medical transportation, she asked for help from the public to cover medical transport, treatment, rehabilitation, and basic living expenses.

"This has been an incredibly difficult journey, and I truly want to fight for my health and my life," she wrote. Unfortunately, the goal of the campaign, which was $20,000, was never reached.

Her final social media post was uploaded in September 2024 and showed a photo of herself paired with a catchy song and floating heart effects. Since news of her death surfaced, people have been leaving tributes in her memory.

Many of these mourners had followed her public struggle through the reality series. TLC had posted a video about her weight loss journey in 2023, summarizing her years-long struggle. At 642 pounds, she had spent five years trying to commit to a weight-loss plan.

Her story touched on her difficult upbringing, losing her mother early, and being abandoned by her father. She shared on the show that she had long used food to cope.

During one emotional moment, she explained that she wanted to change because she hoped to start a family and live a normal life.

"I finally have a great support system with my family [...] and meeting [Duane], coming into my life has been a change because I know that he loved me [...] I just look forward to losing this weight because I want to get married. I want to have my own child, like, and start my own family and be normal," Pottain said.

In the video on YouTube, Dr. Younan Nowzaradan reminded her that she once weighed 482 pounds and had reached 631 pounds, and warned her that without serious intervention, her body would not be able to withstand the weight much longer.

He told her it was time for immediate change and emphasized that she needed to leave the motorized wheelchair and begin physical therapy.

He stressed that her body, although young, had endured too much and would soon begin to fail under the pressure.

Unfortunately, despite early signs of motivation, the doctor eventually informed her that he could no longer assist due to her inability to follow the structured weight-loss plan.

Pottain's story was one of painful honesty, perseverance, and a public plea for health, love, and support. This tragedy closes a heartbreaking chapter in a journey that resonated deeply with many who saw parts of themselves in her fight.