Comedian Tony Slattery, has died aged 65 following a heart attack.
Slattery was known for his quick-witted improvisations on the popular Channel 4 show Whose Line Is It Anyway?, from 1988 onwards.
Sir Stephen Fry, who appeared on the show with Slattery, described his old friend as “the gentlest, sweetest soul” and “a screamingly funny deeply talented wit and clown”.
Londoner Slattery acted in comedic and serious roles in films such as crime thriller The Crying Game, Peter’s Friends and the dark comedy How to Get Ahead in Advertising.
He earned an Olivier Award nomination for best comedy performance for his role as Gordon in Tim Firth’s play Neville’s Island.
A statement on behalf of Slattery’s longstanding partner, actor Mark Michael Hutchinson, said: “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.”
Sir Stephen remarked on the “cruel irony that fate should snatch him from us just as he had really begun to emerge from his lifelong battle with so many dark demons”.
Slattery’s Whose Line co-star Josie Lawrence remembers “Memories of just laughing a lot. Being silly and laughing. He was talented kind funny and beautiful. Sending love and condolences to wonderful Mark. Rest in peace now Tony.”
Sadly, Slattery was in a lifelong battle with drug use. May he rest in peace.
