Powerlifter Otis Perkins known as “Black Tom Cruise” has passed away on Saturday morning, 24th July 2021. Otis was involved in a serious car accident on July 11th and was rushed to the hospital for surgery. He died from complications from pneumonia. Rest in peace.
Perkins had sustained major injuries due to a car crash. He caught up a high fever and experienced lung complications while he was in the hospital. Because of pneumonia, he couldn’t get enough oxygen to his lungs which resulted in heart failure.
Perkins was well known in the powerlifting community and he was Larry Wheels’ first training partner. Larry took to Instagram to pay tribute to Perkins.
R.I.P @black_tom_cruise
The man brought laughs everywhere he went. Funniest man I ever met. He possessed all the traits of a GREAT friend.
I love him and hold him closer to almost anyone I know. It hurts to accept he’s gone.
No matter what life threw at him he kept a smile and his head held high. Otis Perkins you will be missed
About Otis Perkins:
Powerlifter Otis Perkins had been competing in the sport since 2015. His last meet as per openpowerlifting.org was in July of 2020. In this outing, he participated in the Heatwave Dead Weight competition in 140kg class and only took part in the deadlift session and pulled 342.5 kgs.
He was born on May 22, 1982, and lived in Brooklyn, New York.
These are his career-best lifts:
- Squat: 281 kgs (620 pounds)
- Bench Press: 195 kgs (430 pounds)
- Deadlift: 356 kgs (785 pounds)
- Powerlifting Career Total: 832 kgs (1,835 pounds)
The community reacts to the passing of Perkins
The fitness community and fans were shocked by sudden death of Otis Perkins’. His friends and fans paid tributes to him on social media:
4x Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler:
“I am so sorry to hear brother.”
Strongman competitor and champion powerlifter Nick Best wrote:
“Sorry to hear this. You and his family will be in our thoughts and prayers.”
Michael Chaves tweeted:
“Lost a good one, rest in peace Black Tom Cruise. Mans energy seemed to be unmatched, looked like he elevated everyone around him no matter the situation. Condolences go out to his family and friends.”
Lost a good one, rest in peace Black Tom Cruise. Mans energy seemed to be unmatched, looked like he elevated everyone around him no matter the situation. Condolences go out to his family and friends.
— Michael “Flamesword” Chaves (@Flamesword) July 24, 2021
Otis friend Andrew Jacked also pays his respect:
Words just can’t explain ur passing. RIP BTC Powaaaaaaa 🙏🏾
KC Mitchell, a.k.a. “That 1 Leg Monster” wrote:
“Damn!!! No words!! He was a solid one, and I’m going to miss chopping it up about cars with him”
Also read: Jenny Lynn-Powell and John Meadows has passed away.
A GoFundMe page was set up to support and cover his medical expenses.
We’d like to extend our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Otis Perkins. Rest in peace.
