Jeffrey Charles Norton was a dedicated actor who thrived in the local theater scene for decades.
"Jeff was one of the best actors who came out of the Tampa Bay area," said longtime friend Paul Wilborn, executive director of the Palladium Theater at St. Petersburg College.
He performed in dramas and comedies and had a knack for playing the eccentric and funny character.
"Jeff was funny; he was talented," Wilborn said. "He had the talent to be a national actor."
Norton, 55, was found dead Sunday night at his home, 4201 Third St. N., said Mike Puetz, St. Petersburg Police Department spokesman.
Police have ruled it a homicide and are investigating while the medical examiner's office performs an autopsy. They haven't identified a suspect or motive, Puetz said.
Norton died from blunt trauma that possibly occurred 72 hours before he was found at around 8 p.m. Sunday, Puetz said.
Besides acting, Norton was working as theater manager at Shorecrest Preparatory School in St. Petersburg.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Norton was one of the "most visible working actors" in the area, Wilborn said.
"He was living a fairly quiet life," Wilborn said. "Nothing in his life would indicate that something like this would happen to him."
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