Tom Noonan, an actor and director whose imposing presence made him one of Hollywood’s most memorable screen villains, died on Feb. 14. He was 74.
His death was announced online by actress Karen Sillas, a longtime friend and collaborator, and Fred Dekker, who directed Noonan in “The Monster Squad.” Variety has also reached out to Noonan’s representatives. No cause of death was immediately disclosed.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Noonan began his career in the late 1970s and early 1980s with small film and theater roles, including an appearance in “Heaven’s Gate.” His breakout came with “Manhunter,” after which he became a sought-after character actor.
Often described by fans and filmmakers as the “perfect bad guy,” Noonan carved out a singular career playing outsiders, monsters and deeply unsettling antagonists. He was best known for portraying the serial killer Francis Dollarhyde in “Manhunter,” director Michael Mann’s adaptation of Thomas Harris’ novel “Red Dragon.” He later embraced cult status as Cain, the drug-fueled cult leader who becomes the mechanized villain RoboCain in “RoboCop 2.”
His genre work extended to fan favorites including “The Monster Squad,” in which he portrayed Frankenstein’s Monster, and “Last Action Hero,” where his turn as the slasher villain The Ripper left a lasting impression on younger audiences. His film résumé also included “Heat,” “The House of the Devil” and “12 Monkeys,” along with television appearances on “The X-Files” and “CSI.”
Beyond acting, Noonan was a respected playwright and director. He wrote and directed “What Happened Was…,” first staged off-Broadway in the early 1990s before being adapted into a critically praised independent film. Sillas, who starred in both versions, credited the project as a defining moment in her career.
“Working with him was a turning point in my life as an actor,” she wrote in a tribute shared on social media. “What a privilege — and crazy fun — it was to call him my friend to the end.”
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From Variety US