Esther Lucille Brown

1997 - 2024

Esther Lucille Brown

June 6, 1997 – February 2, 2024

Esther Lucille Brown, born on the sixth of June, 1997, to James and Catherine Brown in Lincoln, NE, passed away on the second of February, 2024.

During her early education, Esther took lessons in piano and voice, played basketball, competed in the Academic Decathlon, and participated in every opportunity to act in school plays and community musicals.

She graduated from Pius X High School, class of 2015, and promptly enrolled in the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA, to pursue her acting career.

Once in San Francisco, Esther studied Sanford Meisner's technique under teachers Peter Lewis and Anthony Montes, along with singing classes with Cynthia Baggot and Deb Eubanks. She also studied improvisation with Second City's Karen Hirst. There, she landed the role of Margot in Legally Blonde: The Musical, directed by Clark Lewis, at Sutter Theatre, along with various films around the city. Freekick, one of the short films she worked on directed by JP Diaz, was selected to be an official Cannes Film Festival short film selection. After making her way to Los Angeles, she continued honing her craft with Andrew Benne, Irene Muzzy, Fran Montano and Peter Wise.

Esther was best known for her nomination for Best Actress for her work in Out of Love at Toronto's International Nollywood Film Festival in 2022. Out of Love received multiple nominations, including Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress. Wins were secured for Best Student Film and Best African Female Filmmaker.

Esther is preceded in death by her grandparents: Gardner Laurence Brown and Janelle Darice Brown, Franklin Jerry Landis and Elizabeth Anne (Connely) Landis; and step-grandmother, Barbara Landis.

Esther is survived by her parents, James Henry Brown and Catherine Anne Landis Brown; and her siblings: Dr. Krista Anne Brown, Jennifer Anne Brown, James Gardner Brown and Audrey Megan (Green) Brown, and Judith Darice Brown, to whom she was most closely attached; as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. with Rosary service at 10:00 a.m. at St. John Catholic Church, 7601 Vine Street, Lincoln. Visitation will be Tuesday, February 20th from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Butherus, Maser & Love Funeral Home, 4040 A Street, Lincoln. Memorials to the family for later designation.

Condolences may be left online at www.bmlfh.com