Chance Perdomo: Vigil held for Southampton actor at Saints pub

Bafta nominee Chance Perdomo, best known for playing Ambrose Spellman in the Netflix Series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, died in a motorcycle crash at 27.

Although he was born in Los Angeles, he grew up in Southampton and attended Redbridge Community School where he was head boy.

In 2013, Chance played the lead role in Mayflower Theatre’s first summer youth production of Bugsy Malone and in a review he was described as a 'star in the making'

Old school friends gathered at a vigil at the Saints pub in Millbrook and described him as someone who “lit up the whole world” and a “beautiful person both inside and out”.

There was also a balloon release in tribute to Chance.

Anya Rose, 26 (Image: Newsquest, Jose Ramos)

Anya Rose, attended Peter Symmonds College in Winchester with Chance while the two studied A-level Drama.

The 26-year-old, who grew up in Swanmore and always dreamed of being an actress, looked back on the time Chance helped to pay for her drama school auditions in 2018.

Balloon release at Mansel Park, Southampton (Image: Newsquest, Jose Ramos)

She said: “I explained to him how expensive drama school auditions could be and then he very kindly gave me the money to audition that year, he paid £250 which was just so incredibly generous. And thanks to him that was the year I got into National Youth Theatre.”

Although she stopped in her pursuit of being an actress and is now studying at the University of Roehampton she remains grateful for the support he offered her.

@southerndailyecho A vigil for Southampton actor Chance Perdomo was held in the city yesterday evening💙 The 27-year-old actor, who starred in the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on Netflix, died in March. Read the article on our website to find out more. #southampton #chanceperdomo #chillingadventuresofsabrina #netflix #vigil ♬ take a moment to breathe. - normal the kid

She spoke of what it was like when she found out about her friend's tragic death on March 30.

She said: “I came back home to be with my family during the Easter weekend and I found out on Twitter.

“I saw his face and clicked when it was horrible. It was just a shocking way to find out. I think my heart genuinely stopped, I couldn’t believe it and I didn’t want to believe it.”

She added: “I will always remember his smile and how warm he was to be around. He was just a really incredible person.”

'How warm he was to be around'

Other former colleagues from Redbridge Community School also paid tribute to the 27-year-old star.

Nicole Morgan, 27, said: “He was amazing on stage. He lit up the whole world. He was a beautiful person both inside and out.”

She added: “Even on the playground when someone was upset he would go up to them and give them a hug. He had a heart of gold.”