Before her unexpected death at 23, the actress returned to acting with a role in a network TV drama and shared joyful moments with loved ones earlier this year.
In a painful twist of timing, Tate had only recently resumed her acting career. She landed a role in the pilot episode of ABC’s “9-1-1: Nashville,” her first audition back, which was filmed in June and premiered on October 6. Her obituary, published by Austin Funeral & Cremation Services, also confirmed her death.
The agency’s announcement about Isabelle Tate’s passing | Source: Instagram/mccrayagency
Grieving Loved Ones Prepare to Say Goodbye
Tate’s family now faces an unimaginable loss. She is survived by her mother, Katerina Kazakos Tate; stepfather, Vishnu Jayamohan; father, John Daniel Tate; and sister, Daniella Tate. To honor her life, a public visitation is scheduled for Friday, October 24, from 12 to 2 p.m. at Forest Hills Methodist Church in Brentwood, Tennessee.
A funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., officiated by Reverend Jim Hughes. Instead of flowers, the family is asking for donations in the actress’s memory to be directed to the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association.
Heartfelt Tribute from Co-Star After Final Scene Together
In the ABC drama, Tate played Julie, a wheelchair user, in a poignant scene opposite Blue, portrayed by actor Hunter McVey. Reflecting on their time together on set, McVey said in a statement to People:
“I was terrified, nervous, and after each take, we would get to exchange a couple words, which were always supportive from her. I got the pleasure of talking with her after the scene, and she had such a great energy. You could tell she brought joy to a lot of people… I’m thankful I got a chance to work with Isabelle and that a part of her will live on forever in the pilot episode of 9-1-1 Nashville.”
The McCray Agency, which had known Tate since she was a teenager, shared a tribute on Instagram, expressing its grief over her passing. They thanked the show’s casting and production teams for supporting her return to acting. “I was so lucky to know her and she will be greatly missed by so many.
,” the agency said.
‘Full of Fire’: Actress Remembered for Passion and Strength
Born and raised in Nashville, Tate spent her childhood in the Franklin community before earning a business degree from Middle Tennessee State University.
Her passions reached beyond acting. “She was also quite musically inclined, often spending hours writing and recording songs with friends and even publishing a few,” the family shared. Her compassion for animals led her to volunteer at local shelters, a pursuit her family said brought her tremendous joy.
In her obituary, Tate was remembered as “full of fire,” a determined soul who faced life with humor, strength, and unshakable resilience. Her diagnosis, they wrote, never stopped her from living life on her own terms.
Her Quiet Battle: Living with a Rare, Unforgiving Disease
Tate was diagnosed with CMT at the age of 13. The rare condition is a group of inherited disorders that damage the peripheral nerves, those that carry messages between the brain, spinal cord, and limbs.
The disease gradually causes muscle weakness, atrophy, and loss of sensation, particularly in the hands, arms, legs, and feet. Though not typically fatal, CMT is progressive and over time, can severely impact one’s mobility and independence.
There is no known cure, but physical therapy, bracing, and assistive devices offer some relief for those living with it. In a December 2022 Instagram post, Tate opened up about the emotional and physical toll the disease had taken.
She described how she gradually came to rely on a wheelchair, using it as a tool for independence rather than defeat. She shared the emotional weight of adapting to a progressive illness and spoke candidly about how it tested her spirit.
But even in struggle, she found purpose, using her platform to advocate for invisible disabilities and encourage others to meet hardship with compassion.
Isabelle Tate shared a joyful moment with a companion, as posted on January 23, 2025 | Source: Instagram.com/izzy.tate
Her final Instagram post, shared in January 2025, echoed that quiet strength. Tate is seen spending time with friends, exploring the outdoors and the beach, and posing with birds perched around her — all while seated in a wheelchair. “from the canon
,” she captioned.
Tate’s journey is part of a growing chorus of voices bringing attention to CMT, a cause that reached national awareness when one of country music’s biggest legends went public with his own diagnosis.
