R.I.P. Sarah Becker: ‘The Real World’ Alum Dead At 52

Sarah Becker, a cast member from MTV‘s The Real World, has died. She was 52.

According to TMZ, Becker’s family confirmed that the star of the series’ fifth season died this month by suicide at her home in Illinois, where she’d reportedly been living to take care of family and struggling with mental health issues.

A blueprint for modern reality television, the long-running Real World was an early pioneer of the formula to gather together a group of young strangers to live together in one house while being constantly filmed.

Becker’s season, set in Miami, premiered in 1996. The season was a turning point for the development of the show, as it was the first to give the cast a season-long “task,” which became a precedent for the series afterwards. 

Becker, a graduate of Indiana University, was just 25 and working in the comic book industry when she appeared on the show. 

Several of Becker’s fellow cast members, or “roommates”— including Dan Renzi, Cynthia Roberts, and Flora Alekseyeun — have taken to social media this week to share notes of condolence following the devastating news.

Cynthia Roberts posted on her Instagram story on June 23rd a photo of Becker with the caption: “RIP Roomy. I pray there’s happiness for you on the other side.”  

“I can only say, it’s very sad,” Renzi shared on Instagram on June 23. Although they did not remain close after their time on the show, Renzi wrote that his and Becker’s shared experience created a unique bond: “The seven of us in that cast went through a bizarre, intense, and sometimes traumatic experience together, and that creates a connection between people, even when they choose to not associate with each other.”

Alekseyeun also took to Instagram to share love for Becker.  “She was the most selfless person I knew. She was always kind and helpful to everyone. I haven’t spoken to her in years and never knew she was troubled. My prayers go out to her family.”

The family also reportedly told TMZ that Sarah was “a selfless person who took care of everyone else.” 

If you or someone you know are experiencing suicidal thoughts, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988.