Strombo’s friend remembered as free spirit
‘TOUGH NOT TO LIKE’
MONTREAL • An actor found dead at the Los Angeles home rented by television personality George Stroumboulopoulos is being remembered by friends and family as a free spirit who always had a smile on his face.
John Struthers, who went to high school with Richard Hong in Montreal, described his friend as “the type of guy it was tough not to like.”
“He was just a good spirit and he always had a good attitude — smiling and fun-loving,” he said.
Struthers said Hong grew up in Montreal before moving to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. In high school, Hong was involved in sports and played on the basketball team, he said.
When they were last in touch about five years ago, Struthers said Hong had turned to surfing and was pursuing acting, but was otherwise “just the same.”
“He was a positive spirit for everyone around him,” he said. “For such a good person to be taken so early is really incredible.”
The 41-year-old actor was found dead early Friday. Police said he died of blunt force trauma.