Windell Middlebrooks, who played no-nonsense beer delivery man, dies

LOS ANGELES — Windell Middlebrooks, an actor who gained TV commercial stardom as a burly, no-nonsense beer delivery man who confiscated the brew from undeserving snobs, has died, his family said Tuesday. He was 36.

Middlebrooks died Monday in the Los Angeles area, said his manager and friend, Steve Ivey. The cause of death and further details were not immediately released.

In a statement, Middlebrooks’ family members said they “with sorrowed hearts, announce the passing of a young, black star” who had exited the stage with “great joy.”

“It was Windell’s biggest wish that his final scene not be lived on social media,” his family said, asking for privacy to mourn.

Besides his eye-catching TV spots for Miller High Life beer, Middlebrooks’ credits included the TV series “Body of Proof,” ”Cougar Town” and “Scrubs.” He is in the new Adam Carolla film “Road Hard.”

“In all my years, I’ve never known a kinder soul, and he will be dearly missed by all of us who knew him,” Ivey said.

LYNN ELBER, AP Television Writer