Summary:
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Lamarr Wilson, beloved tech creator, died by suicide at 48, leaving a legacy of joy and accessibility. His passing reverberated through tech communities.
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Wilson’s family shared their heartbreak, noting his many projects in the works. Shira Lazar and What’s Trending mourn the loss.
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A tech lifestyle entertainer and mentor, Wilson bridged the gap between gadget fans and newcomers with warmth and enthusiasm.
Lamarr Wilson spent his career making technology feel less intimidating and a lot more joyful. The beloved creator, host, and longtime friend of What’s Trending died at age 48 on Nov. 21 in Los Angeles, according to the L.A. County Medical Examiner’s Office, which listed his manner of death as suicide.
Wilson’s family publicly shared news of his passing on Dec. 13, writing that they were “heartbroken” and noting that he had “so many projects in the making” with tech and media companies.
His death has rippled through the tech and creator communities that watched him build a one-of-a-kind lane online over more than a decade.
For What’s Trending and founder Shira Lazar, the loss feels especially personal. When What’s Trending launched, Wilson stepped in as a co-host and social media correspondent, bringing the same big laugh and warm presence viewers would later come to know across his own platforms.
He appeared in early episodes of our YouTube live show as a tech expert and demo guy, and brought so much light and energy to our videos.
Over the years, Wilson stayed in touch with Lazar as both of their careers evolved. At a Linktree event earlier this year, the two reconnected and talked about where they were in their lives and careers, and about mental health, a topic that has become central to Lazar’s work as founder of Creators 4 Mental Health.
Known to millions as the “Tech Lifestyle Entertainer,” he built a global community of more than 3 million followers across YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, where he covered phones, gaming systems, home devices, and the latest tech trends with a mix of enthusiasm and accessibility.
He started creating content in 2008 and became a familiar face across digital media. He hosted and produced series for Mashable, including “YouTube Weekly” and “Socially Awkward,” contributed for years to the Daily Tech News Show podcast, and co-hosted George Takei’s digital series “Takei’s Take.” Their review of Google Glass earned a Webby Award in 2014 in the online film and video technology category.
Wilson also partnered with major brands including Google, Apple, Microsoft/Xbox, Sony PlayStation, and Nintendo, frequently appearing on panels, livestreams,s and tech showcases as the person who could bridge the gap between hardcore gadget fans and everyone else.
But for the people who worked with him closely, what stands out most is who he was off-camera. Lazar and the What’s Trending team remember him as just a “sweet natured, smart and fun loving guy”. He was known for quietly mentoring younger creators and emerging talent, often giving away gear he received so that someone else could get their start.
Before he was a full-time creator, Wilson was a teacher and tech coordinator for K–8 students, as well as a technology consultant and consumer tech sales professional. That background shaped his style and a big part of who he was as a creator.
At What’s Trending, Wilson will always be remembered as more than a guest or co-host. He was part of the extended family, someone who helped shape the show’s early days and then went on to build a powerful personal brand of his own. His generosity, his mentorship of younger creators, and the light he brought into studios, conference halls, and timelines will remain a model for the kind of creator culture many in the industry are still trying to build.
Lamarr Wilson’s legacy lives in the millions of people who learned something from him, laughed with him, and felt a little less intimidated by technology because he was the one explaining it.
Editor’s note: At What’s Trending, we often cover stories about creators, platforms, and online communities. This one hits closer to home. Lamarr was a friend from the beginning, stepping in when What’s Trending first launched, and staying connected as each of us grew into new chapters. This remembrance was written collaboratively and reflects insights shared by Shira Lazar and other friends and colleagues who spent time with Lamarr over the years. It is offered in gratitude and respect for his legacy.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems or just needs to talk, help is available. In the United States, you can call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, for free and confidential support 24/7.
