Veteran British actor, comedian, and writer Tony Slattery, known for his quick wit and improvisational skills, especially while appearing on Channel 4’s Whose Line Is It Anyway? rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s through his work in comedy and television. He also appeared in several films, stage productions, and TV series. Born in London, Slattery won a scholarship to study modern and medieval languages at Trinity Hall, Cambridge.
In addition to his success on television, Slattery made a name for himself in the British comedy scene. He was featured in shows like O.T.T. and Saturday Stayback and was a familiar face on various panel shows during the 1980s. Slattery once said an iconic line, showcasing his versatility as a performer, “I have no idea what I’m doing, but it’s hilarious.” This perfectly captured the essence of his unique comedic style, which made him a household name during the 1980s and ’90s.
The star passed away on January 14, 2024, at the age of 65 due to a sudden heart attack. His family confirmed the news through a statement to the BBC, sharing that he died on Tuesday morning following a heart attack he suffered 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.
As per Variety, his pal from Cambridge, Stephen Fry, who invited him to join the student sketch comedy group the Cambridge Footlights, posted a heartfelt post for him alongside a picture of their college days from Cambridge. Despite his brilliance, in 1996, Slattery’s career came to a sudden halt. He had been dropped from Whose Line Is It Anyway? the previous year due to deteriorating performances, and it was reported that he had suffered a drink and cocaine-induced nervous breakdown.
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With his declining mental health and frequent substance abuse patterns, he became withdrawn, spending months in isolation and refusing to take calls. In an interview with The Independent in 1998, he said, “Regular bouts of catatonia prevented a return to work. “I was incapable of turning up anywhere on time.” Additionally, Slattery’s “wilderness years” were marked by paranoid delusions.
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However, the 2020 BBC Horizon documentary What’s the Matter with Tony Slattery? explored the struggles of his life in detail. From repercussions of substance abuse to a bipolar disorder diagnosis and tales of him being sexually abused as a child, which he mentioned in several of his interviews. The documentary showcased Slattery’s life up close and personal, which was well-received by the audience. The documentary ultimately acted as a medium to tell his story, allowing Slattery to reconnect with his fans.
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The star’s last message to his fans on Instagram was a heartfelt video posted on Christmas Day. Wearing a red and green tinsel scarf, he humorously addressed himself as the “Tony Slattery here. President of the Rambling Club” and thanked his fans for their support. Slattery, who was openly gay, is survived by Mark Michael Hutchinson, his partner of nearly four decades.