Tony Slattery, a popular comedian and actor famous for his role on Whose Line Is It Anyway??, has passed away at the age of 65.
His family confirmed the news to the BBC, stating that he passed away on Tuesday morning after suffering a heart attack on Sunday evening.
“It is with great sadness we must announce actor and comedian Tony Slattery, aged 65, has passed away today, Tuesday morning, following a heart attack on Sunday evening,” said a statement issued on behalf of his partner, Mark Michael Hutchinson.
Slattery became famous as a regular on the Channel 4 comedy show Whose Line Is It Anyway?, where he appeared in its first seven seasons.
The show, hosted by Clive Anderson, was a pioneer in improv comedy and gained a loyal audience. It later became successful in the U.S., airing on ABC and The CW.
Aside from his television success, Slattery became well-known in the British comedy scene. He appeared in shows like O.T.T. and Saturday Stayback, and was a regular on various panel shows during the 1980s and 1990s.
Beyond television, Slattery had a successful career in film and theater. He starred in notable movies such as The Crying Game, Peter’s Friends, How to Get Ahead in Advertising, and To Die For.
In theater, Slattery’s talent was acknowledged with an Olivier Award nomination for Best Comedy Performance for his role as Gordon in Neville’s Island, a play by Tim Firth.
In recent years, Slattery stayed active in the entertainment world. He toured with a comedy show and hosted a podcast called Tony Slattery’s Rambling Club.
Born in 1959, Slattery attended Cambridge University, where he joined the famous Footlights comedy group alongside Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, and Emma Thompson. He later became the group’s president, marking the start of his career in comedy.
Slattery is survived by his partner of over 30 years, Mark Michael Hutchinson. Fans and colleagues have expressed their condolences and celebrated his contributions to comedy and entertainment on social media.
