The cause of death for 9-1-1: Nashville actress Isabelle “Izzy” Tate has been confirmed following the young performer’s passing earlier this month.
Tate, who was 23, died on October 19, her representatives announced over the weekend. In a statement to Entertainment Weekly, Kim McCray, founder of The McCray Agency, which represented Tate, revealed that the actress had been living with a rare neurological condition.
“Isabelle ‘Izzy’ Tate had a rare form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease,” McCray said in an emailed statement, via Entertainment Weekly.
McCray noted that Tate “passed away peacefully,” and that her family is asking for privacy as they process “this sudden and shocking loss.”
She added that, in lieu of flowers, the family is encouraging donations to the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association in Tate’s name.
According to the Mayo Clinic, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease refers to a group of inherited disorders that cause nerve damage, primarily affecting movement and sensation in the arms and legs.
Remembered on-screen and beyond
Tate appeared in the pilot episode of 9-1-1: Nashville, which premiered on October 9 after filming wrapped in June. The new ABC drama (a spin-off of the hit 9-1-1 franchise that also includes 9-1-1: Lone Star) stars Chris O’Donnell, Jessica Capshaw, and LeAnn Rimes.
Entertainment Weekly reports that next week’s episode of 9-1-1: Nashville will feature a memorial title card honoring Tate. Representatives for ABC have been contacted for further comment.
A talented young performer
An obituary for Tate described her as “full of fire, a fighter,” adding that she “never once made excuses for the fact that she might have a disability relative to others.”
The obituary continued: “She was also quite musically inclined, often spending hours writing and recording songs with friends and even publishing a few,” the obituary noted.
A rare condition in the spotlight
Tate’s death comes amid growing awareness of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. In 2021, country music legend Alan Jackson revealed he had been diagnosed with the same condition, later announcing that he plans to perform his final concert in June 2026 due to his health.
Tate’s family and colleagues have not yet released further details about memorial services.