The entertainment world is mourning the loss of Isabelle Tate, a bright young actress whose life and career were cut tragically short at age 23. Tate, who starred in the pilot episode of the ABC series 9-1-1: Nashville, died on October 19, 2025, after a lifelong battle with a rare form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. Her passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, friends, and family, and has also shone a spotlight on the challenges faced by those living with the progressive neuromuscular disorder.
Tate’s death was confirmed by her Nashville-based talent agency, the McCray Agency, which shared on social media, “We are deeply saddened and completely heartbroken to share that Isabelle Tate passed away on October 19th.” The agency, which had represented Tate since her teenage years, described her death as “sudden and shocking,” a sentiment echoed by those who knew her best. According to her family, as reported by CBS News, she had “recently returned to acting” and landed her first major television role on 9-1-1: Nashville, which filmed in June and aired its pilot episode earlier this month.
Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Tate was a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, where she earned a business degree in May 2025. Friends and family remember her as “full of fire, a fighter, never once making excuses for the fact that she might have a disability relative to others,” according to her obituary. She was described as the life of the party, musically inclined, and deeply devoted to her loved ones. “Her sister was her best friend and her mom was her shining beacon of light,” the obituary read, as reported by The Independent. Tate also had a passion for volunteering, particularly at animal shelters, where she found joy in doling out love to animals in need.
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, the condition that ultimately claimed Tate’s life, is a rare, inherited neurological disorder that affects the peripheral nerves—those outside the brain and spinal cord. The disease is named after the three doctors who first described it in 1886: Jean Martin Charcot, Pierre Marie, and Howard Henry Tooth. According to the Mayo Clinic and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, CMT causes nerve damage that leads to muscle weakness, atrophy, and sensory loss, typically beginning in the feet and lower legs during the teen years or early adulthood. Over time, symptoms can progress to the hands and arms, making everyday activities increasingly difficult.
Tate was diagnosed with CMT at the age of 13. In a candid Instagram post from 2022, she opened up about her journey, writing, “When I was 13, I got diagnosed with a progressive neuromuscular disease that weakens leg muscles over time. Over the years, I was going on with my life and would notice little things get more difficult for me, but not so much where it stood out to me. Recently, it’s really progressed, and I’ve come to terms that if I want to live my life to the fullest, I need to use a wheelchair at times. This has been a difficult journey for me because having to accept help and surrender to the progression of this condition has been hard.”
Despite her struggles, Tate remained determined to live life on her own terms. “I don’t know why these were the cards I was dealt in life, but I can’t change it so I’m choosing to embrace it and not let it define me,” she shared. Her resilience inspired many, and she became a role model for others facing similar challenges. According to The Tennessean, she added, “This has really changed my perspective on life, and if I’ve learned anything from this, it’s to appreciate the little things that are easily taken for granted.”
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is incurable, but treatments such as physical and occupational therapy, orthopedic devices like braces, surgery, and medication can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. In some cases, severe forms of the disease can affect the muscles needed for breathing and swallowing, leading to potentially life-threatening complications. The Cleveland Clinic notes that while most people with CMT live to a normal age and remain active, the disease can cause significant disability and require the use of wheelchairs or other mobility aids, as was the case for Tate.
Her family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing new treatments and ultimately finding a cure for the disease. This gesture underscores the ongoing need for research and support for those affected by CMT and their families.
Tate’s acting career, though brief, left a lasting impression. She appeared in the pilot episode of 9-1-1: Nashville as Julie, an attendee at a bachelor party where an accident occurs. The show, which stars Chris O’Donnell, LeAnn Rimes, and Hunter McVey, will honor Tate’s memory with an “in memoriam” card at the end of its October 30 episode, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Her performance was widely praised, and those who worked with her recall her enthusiasm and professionalism on set. “She had a wonderful time,” her agency wrote. “She booked the first series she auditioned for, 9-1-1: Nashville.”
Tate’s obituary also highlighted her musical talents, noting that she often spent hours writing and recording songs with friends and even publishing a few. But above all, it was her warmth, humor, and unyielding spirit that endeared her to those around her. She never let her disability define her or limit her ambitions, choosing instead to embrace life’s possibilities and encourage others to do the same.
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, though not widely known, affects an estimated 1 in 2,500 people in the United States. Other public figures, like country singer Alan Jackson, have also spoken publicly about their struggles with the condition, helping to raise awareness and reduce stigma. In a 2021 interview, Jackson said, “It’s been affecting me for years, and it’s getting more and more obvious. And I know I’m stumbling around on stage and now I’m having a little trouble balancing even in front of the microphone, and so I just feel very uncomfortable, and I just want people to know that’s why I look like I do.”
As the community remembers Isabelle Tate, her story stands as a testament to courage in the face of adversity. Her legacy will live on through her work, her music, and the countless lives she touched—both on and off the screen.
