Chicago theatre and genre film actor Tom Towles has passed away at the age of 65.
Born in 1950 in Chicago, Towles worked for years in Chicagos Organic and Goodman Theaters, often with Re-Animator director Stuart Gordon. Though the actor appears briefly in Dog Day Afternoon, his breakthrough role was that of Otis, the sleaze sidekick in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (directed by another Chicago theater mainstay, John McNaughton). Loosely based on real life serial killer Ottis Toole, Towles performance is a deranged, affecting one, integral to the immortality of McNaughtons visceral work.
From there, Towles was a welcome, often intimidating, mad presence in the likes of Night of the Living Dead (1990), Gordons The Pit and the Pendulum, Blood In, Blood Out, Miami Vice and Rob Zombies House of 1000 Corpses, Halloween and Grindhouse trailer, Werewolf Women of the SS.
Remembrances have poured in from colleagues, painting Towles as a warm, talented gentleman. Our thoughts are with family and friends for actor and fan favorite. Rest in Peace, Tom Towles.
The Prince of Madness is no more: #TomTowles, brilliant actor and old friend, struck down by a massive stroke. There was no one like him.
Stuart Gordon (@OfficialSGordon) April 6, 2015
Lucky to have directed the great #TomTowles in a dozen plays at Organic Theater and two movies: PIT AND THE PENDULUM & FORTRESS. Devastated.
Stuart Gordon (@OfficialSGordon) April 6, 2015
I just got word that our buddy Tom Towles has died. He was such a great guy and I am so grateful that we got to work together several times. He will be really missed.
Posted by Rob Zombie on Sunday, April 5, 2015
