Sarah Becker, Former Cast Member of ‘The Real World,’ Dies by Suicide at 52

An ambulance in a file photo. David Dee Delgado/Getty Images

Sarah Becker, who gained recognition from her appearance in season five of MTV’s “The Real World” in Miami, died by suicide at the age of 52.

The exact date of her death is unclear as of Monday, with TMZ reporting it occurred the previous week, as confirmed by Ms. Becker’s family.

The outlet noted that Ms. Becker had relocated to Illinois last year to care for her family and had been facing mental health struggles in recent months. Additionally, she had been involved in a skateboarding accident not long before her death.

Hailing from La Jolla, California, and working as a comic book editor, Ms. Becker joined “The Real World” at age 25. She often referred to herself as a “19-year-old tapped in a 25-year-old body” and identified as a “tomboy” who had little patience for pettiness.

Online Tributes

In response to her death, friends paid their respects on social media to honor Ms. Becker.

A man named Daniel Norton expressed his reaction on Facebook.

“Sarah Becker was made of pure sunshine... Full of energy and positivity, you couldn’t help but feel her warmth standing in her presence. I am grateful for our adventures and laughs,” he said. “Big hugs to all the Wildstorm fam!”

Mr. Norton further reflected, saying, “I think Sarah was always one of those people that after you’ve met them, you have a fond memory or a funny story with them in it. Something you can always look back on and share with who you’re with. That was her power.”

Another friend, Joel Benjamin, shared his grief on Facebook, posting photos and reminiscing about Ms. Becker’s impact on his life.

“I just found out that one of the nicest people that have ever been put in my life, especially during my impressionable ages, has passed away. Every time I thought of her, I would always see her smile and bubbly personality. You were loved and will be missed,” Mr. Benjamin wrote.

MTV’s “The Real World,” which premiered in 1992, offered an unfiltered glimpse into the lives of diverse young adults living together.

It first aired on MTV in 1992 and is one of the longest-running programs in MTV history, as well as one of the longest-running reality series in history. The show is credited with launching the modern reality TV genre.

The concept of “The Real World” revolves around seven to eight young adults who are picked to live together in a house in a different city each season. The cast members are filmed nonstop as they interact with each other, dealing with various issues of contemporary young adulthood such as dating, prejudice, religion, abortion, illness, death, politics, and substance abuse.

“The Real World” has generated two notable related series broadcast by MTV: “Road Rules,” which lasted for 14 seasons, and the ongoing spin-off reality game show “The Challenge,” which has run for 39 seasons since 1998.

After its original run on MTV from 1992 to 2017, “The Real World” most recently aired on Facebook Watch. A revival of the show was announced in 2018, with new American, Mexican, and Thai versions. The 33rd season was filmed in Atlanta and premiered on June 13, 2019.