Actor Tom Towles 1950-2015 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 04-05-2015, 09:47 PM

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Character actor Tom Towles, a regular in Rob Zombie films who also played a murderous sidekick in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, has died, the writer-director said. He was 65.

Zombie announced Towles’ death Sunday on Facebook. “I just got word that our buddy Tom Towles has died,” he wrote. “He was such a great guy and I am so grateful that we got to work together several times. He will be really missed.”

No other details were immediately available.

The Chicago native also starred as Harry Cooper, one of people trapped in the farmhouse and the father whose young daughter becomes a zombie, in the remake of Night of the Living Dead (1990).

Later, Towles portrayed Lieutenant George Wydell, who was shot by Karen Black’s character, in Zombie’s first film as writer-director, House of 1000 Corpses (2003). He also teamed with the musician-turned filmmaker in The Devil’s Rejects (2005), the reimagining of Halloween (2007) and in a segment of Grindhouse (2007).

In the low-budget Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986), directed by John McNaughton, Towles played Otis opposite Michael Rooker as the title character. Towles’ psychopath was based on real-life serial killer Ottis Toole, who admitted to the 1981 decapitation of the 6-year-old son of John Walsh. (Walsh in 1988 had created the Fox show America’s Most Wanted in a bid to catch the killer of his boy.)

Towles also was in such horror films as the remake of The Pit and the Pendulum (1991), McNaughton’s The Borrower (1991), Home Sick (2007) and Blood on the Highway (2008).

Towles also could be seen in Dog Day Afternoon (1975) — his first screen credit — The Rock (1996), Gridlock'd (1997), More Dogs Than Bones (2000) and Michael Mann’s Miami Vice (2006).

On television, Towles guest-starred on such series as Seinfeld, NYPD Blue, L.A. Law, ER, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager and Firefly.

JamesG · 04-05-2015, 09:51 PM

Very sad. He was great in Henry.

I was planning on watching the Night of the Living Dead remake again soon...

Torgo · 04-06-2015, 02:18 PM

RIP.

My 2 favorite roles of his were as Otis in Henry, and Harry in the Night Of The Living Dead remake. Those 2 films were also my introduction to him when seeing them both on the big screen during their theatrical releases. Two totally different theatrical experiences. Henry everyone in the audience was super quiet, the NOTLD remake, the audience was cheering and clapping throughout.

JamesG · 04-06-2015, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torgo

RIP.

My 2 favorite roles of his were as Otis in Henry, and Harry in the Night Of The Living Dead remake. Those 2 films were also my introduction to him when seeing them both on the big screen during their theatrical releases. Two totally different theatrical experiences. Henry everyone in the audience was super quiet, the NOTLD remake, the audience was cheering and clapping throughout.

Let me guess, there was clapping and cheering when Barbara shot him at the end, right?

The ironic thing was that the basement was actually the safest place to be. The hoard of zombies near the end couldn't get through.

Torgo · 04-06-2015, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesG

Let me guess, there was clapping and cheering when Barbara shot him at the end, right?

The ironic thing was that the basement was actually the safest place to be. The hoard of zombies near the end couldn't get through.

Haha yep.

Harry was right in both versions.

Penny Lane · 04-06-2015, 09:08 PM

Never heard of him but, then, I'm not into zombie/horror movies. May he rest in peace

04-05-2015, 09:47 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,441	Actor Tom Towles 1950-2015 Link Character actor Tom Towles, a regular in Rob Zombie films who also played a murderous sidekick in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, has died, the writer-director said. He was 65. Zombie announced Towles’ death Sunday on Facebook. “I just got word that our buddy Tom Towles has died,” he wrote. “He was such a great guy and I am so grateful that we got to work together several times. He will be really missed.” No other details were immediately available. The Chicago native also starred as Harry Cooper, one of people trapped in the farmhouse and the father whose young daughter becomes a zombie, in the remake of Night of the Living Dead (1990). Later, Towles portrayed Lieutenant George Wydell, who was shot by Karen Black’s character, in Zombie’s first film as writer-director, House of 1000 Corpses (2003). He also teamed with the musician-turned filmmaker in The Devil’s Rejects (2005), the reimagining of Halloween (2007) and in a segment of Grindhouse (2007). In the low-budget Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986), directed by John McNaughton, Towles played Otis opposite Michael Rooker as the title character. Towles’ psychopath was based on real-life serial killer Ottis Toole, who admitted to the 1981 decapitation of the 6-year-old son of John Walsh. (Walsh in 1988 had created the Fox show America’s Most Wanted in a bid to catch the killer of his boy.) Towles also was in such horror films as the remake of The Pit and the Pendulum (1991), McNaughton’s The Borrower (1991), Home Sick (2007) and Blood on the Highway (2008). Towles also could be seen in Dog Day Afternoon (1975) — his first screen credit — The Rock (1996), Gridlock'd (1997), More Dogs Than Bones (2000) and Michael Mann’s Miami Vice (2006). On television, Towles guest-starred on such series as Seinfeld, NYPD Blue, L.A. Law, ER, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager and Firefly.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

04-06-2015, 02:18 PM	#3
Torgo Omaha & Fritz Forum Star Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 19,038	RIP. My 2 favorite roles of his were as Otis in Henry, and Harry in the Night Of The Living Dead remake. Those 2 films were also my introduction to him when seeing them both on the big screen during their theatrical releases. Two totally different theatrical experiences. Henry everyone in the audience was super quiet, the NOTLD remake, the audience was cheering and clapping throughout.
	__________________ "I'm going to go do something productive. I'm gonna go watch television." - Ray Peterson, The 'burbs "I am the literary equivalent of a Big Mac and Fries." - Stephen King "There's nothing wrong with G-rated movies, as long as there's lots of sex and violence." - Elvira

04-06-2015, 09:08 PM	#6
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 51,264	Never heard of him but, then, I'm not into zombie/horror movies. May he rest in peace
	__________________ Vulgarity is no substitute for wit- Lady Violet Crawley

04-05-2015, 09:51 PM	#2
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,174	Very sad. He was great in Henry. I was planning on watching the Night of the Living Dead remake again soon...