Comedian Tony Slattery has died at the age of 65, his partner has confirmed.
The actor, who’s appeared on several well-known TV shows such as Whose Line Is It Anyway, died of a heart attack.
His partner Mark Michael Hutchinson said in a statement released: “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.”
Born in London on November 9, 1959, it didn’t take long for Slattery to pursue a career in the arts.
The comedian was the contemporary of Dame Emma Thompson, Sir Stephen Fry, and Hugh Laurie at the University of Cambridge and was the president of an improv group in the city.
His talents weren’t limited to solely making audiences laugh, however, as his CV also boasted more serious roles on-screen.
Tony Slattery has died at the age of 65
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Slattery enjoyed stints in films including The Crying Game, How to Get Ahead in Advertising, and Peter’s Friends.
On X, tributes quickly flooded in for the comedian, including from his Whose Line Is It Anyway? co-star and pianist Richard Vranch.
Elsewhere, one fan penned: “Tony Slattery was one of the funniest people I have ever met. There is another side to genius, and Tony had his troubles, but they were behind him and his future looked very rosy. RIP Sir. Thank you for the laughs.”
A second echoed: “God Love and keep Beloved Tony Slattery beautiful man. So sad. Rest in Peace Angel. Xxxxx.”
So sorry to report we are deverstated our lovely Tony has passed away .https://t.co/WHoGSCxivq
— Tony Slattery LIVE (@SlatteryLive) January 14, 2025
Elsewhere, another weighed in: “I’m saddened to hear about the death of Tony Slattery at 65.
“A genuinely funny man, he was the presenter of the TV version of Trivial Pursuits which I appeared on in the early 90s. A charming presenter, his later life was less happy, but I’ll remember him fondly.”
“Sad to hear the news that Tony Slattery has died. A true comedian of my generation – RIP Tony,” added a fourth. (sic)
After Slattery left Whose Line Is It Anyway during the 1990s, the comedian spiralled into alcoholism and cocaine use.
The comedian would later be diagnosed with bipolar disorder following a tumultuous period of his life that included a six-month stint in which he became a recluse, refusing to leave his home or interact with the outside world.
In an interview with the Guardian in 2019, Slattery reflected: “I had a very happy time until I went slightly barmy.”
Tony Slattery was best known for his time on Whose Line Is It Anyway? alongside Clive Anderson
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He told the publication he would rotate between “terrible isolationism and an almost comatose state, and then terrible agitation, constant pacing, sitting inside with thoughts whirling round and round”.
He also explained to the publication that a “contributing factor” to his mental illness was the trauma he experienced when he was “about eight”.
The comedian said he was sexually abused by a priest during his childhood.
He told the Guardian: “A psychiatrist once said to me, ‘Bear in mind that some things are so deeply buried there is nothing to be gained by an archeological dig. Keep it buried’.”
He delved further into the trauma during an episode of the BBC documentary series, Horizon.