Fans of Tony Slattery, the famous British comedian known for his improvisational comedy on the TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway?, are in mourning as it was confirmed that he passed away following a heart attack.
The 65-year-old brought happiness and laughter to British households for more than a decade, appearing for the first time as a regular performer on 1983’s Saturday Stayback, and consistently appearing in TV shows, series, and movies for most of the early 90’s.
However, in 1995, when Slattery was at the height of his career, he began to experience a severe personal and professional breakdown.
The pressures of fame, along with his mental health issues and addictions—mainly alcohol and cocaine—led to him walking away from a significant number of projects, including a television deal worth £1 million at the time.
Despite the darkness he endured in his personal life, his fans nevertheless remember him with candor, and expressed their gratitude for the many years of entertainment the comedian brought into their lives.
Beloved British comedian Tony Slattery passed away at 65 following a heart attack
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“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 his partner, Mark Michael Hutchinson.
Before his passing, Slattery was active and in good spirits, having just launched his podcast, Tony Slattery’s Rambling Club in October.
Image credits: WhoseLineUK
The podcast, coupled with a comedy tour, marked Slattery’s return after disappearing from the spotlight for many years due to his substance abuse and erratic behavior which he said, “alienated friends and colleagues.”
His addictions not only impacted his health and social life, but also his finances, as the actor claimed he at one point was spending up to £4,000 per week on cocaine. He also admitted to drinking several bottles of wine a day, making it hard for him to function and manage his money.
The comedian was in the middle of a late-career resurgence after a life battling bipolar disorder and substance abuse
Image credits: WhoseLineUK
A detailed account of his struggles were documented in a special edition of BBC’s Horizon titled What’s the Matter with Tony Slattery?
The production served as an examination of his mental health, as well as the root cause of his problems being childhood trauma, specifically being sexually abused by a priest when he was young.
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Over the years, Slattery made multiple attempts to seek treatment for his issues, but they were met with relapses due to the complex interplay of his addiction and bipolar disorder.
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The abuse he put his body through came at a great cost, as in the same documentary he confessed to experiencing memory problems and cognitive decline. The many years of substance usage likely damaged his brain, making it difficult for him to mount a career comeback.
The announcement of his recent tour, as well as his podcast, were met with enthusiasm by his fans, who felt the actor was finally reclaiming his life and on the path to a resurgence.
Netizens lamented the comedian’s passing, and took the chance to thank him for his work and for making them laugh through difficult times
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“I was lucky to have seen him performing improv back in November,” one of his fans stated. “An immensely talented man. He will be missed.”
“He was a bloody brilliant comedian, so sorry his life was blighted by the wounds of religious sex abuse,” another said.
“Tony Slattery basically saved my life as a teenager. I was horrendously depressed, bullied and had very few friends,” a fan shared. “I found a lot of comfort in Whose Line and other Tony projects.”
“I’ve met him a couple of times. I’m a huge fan. Such a nice guy. Got chatting with him and his partner and they were just wonderful humans.”
“This is so very sad. By all accounts a good, kind, humble and extremely funny man dealt an awful hand early in his life,” one reader reflected.
“Hopefully he found some peace and contentment later on. He deserved it.”
“Desperately sad.” Fans mourned the passing of the beloved comedian who brought laughter to British households for many years
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