Jackson Filmmaker Curtis Nichouls Dies at 51
Curtis Nichouls, a prominent Jackson, Mississippi filmmaker and photographer, has died at the age of 51. Hinds County Coroner Jeramiah Howard confirmed that Nichouls passed away from natural causes after his family requested a welfare check. Jackson police located him on Friday night, and he was pronounced dead Saturday morning at approximately 10:43 a.m. Nichouls was known for his work on the Hollywood action thriller 'A Day to Die,' which was filmed in Jackson, and for his recent acquisition of the former Metrocenter Dillard’s building. He had planned to convert the structure into a production hub for television shows and a training center for emerging filmmakers. Additionally, Nichouls served as the official photographer for the State of Mississippi and 7th District chapters of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. His local chapter, EKK Omega Men, released a statement mourning his loss and highlighting his contributions to the community and the fraternity.
Key points
- Curtis Nichouls, a 51-year-old filmmaker based in Jackson, Mississippi, died after a welfare check was requested by his family.
- Hinds County Coroner Jeramiah Howard stated that the cause of death was natural causes.
- Nichouls was found by Jackson police on Friday night and pronounced dead Saturday morning at 10:43 a.m.
- He was scheduled to serve as a photographer at the 35th State of Mississippi Omega Psi Phi Convention in Greenwood, Mississippi, on the day of his death.
- Nichouls was influential in the production of the Bruce Willis film 'A Day to Die,' which was shot in Jackson.
- In 2024, Nichouls purchased the former Metrocenter Dillard’s building with plans to transform it into a hub for TV production and filmmaker training.
Background
This news follows a period of high-profile local and national obituaries in early August 2026, including the passing of Wisconsin dentist Krisan Shaw and the California bald eagle Jackie. While those events involved different demographics and causes, they share a theme of community mourning for figures who had significant cultural or professional impact. Nichouls’s death is distinct as it involves a local creative professional whose recent business ventures aimed to bolster the regional film industry. His role in the 2021 production of 'A Day to Die' established his reputation in Jackson, and his 2024 purchase of the Dillard’s building signaled a major investment in local infrastructure for media production.
Why it matters
The death of Curtis Nichouls marks a significant loss for the Mississippi film industry and the local creative community. His planned development of the former Dillard’s building into a production and training hub was a key initiative for supporting up-and-coming filmmakers in the region. His sudden passing disrupts these plans and removes a prominent figure who bridged local community engagement with Hollywood-level productions. Additionally, his role as a photographer for the Omega Psi Phi fraternity highlights his influence beyond the film industry, touching on cultural and social organizations in Mississippi.
What to watch
The immediate next steps will likely involve the handling of Nichouls’s estate and the future of the former Metrocenter Dillard’s building, which he purchased in 2024 with specific development plans. The Omega Psi Phi fraternity will need to arrange replacement photography coverage for the 35th State Convention in Greenwood, Mississippi, which was scheduled for the day of his death. Community members and industry peers may organize tributes or fundraising efforts to support his family and potentially advance his vision for the film training hub.
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