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Michael Villella, the actor known for his roles in horror and thriller films such as The Slumber Party Massacre, has died. He was 84.
Villella died on Saturday, Nov. 23, after suffering multiple organ failure following several weeks spent in a hospital, his daughter Chloe told TMZ. Further information regarding why he was initially hospitalized was not immediately available.
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Villella’s daughter shared a tribute to her father on Facebook following his death. A photo that she posted on the social media platform showed a picture of her late father resting on a countertop beside a lit candle. “May you rest in peace daddy ❤️💋♈️,” she wrote to caption the post, according to a screenshot published by TMZ.
Though Villella was known for a handful of characters he played in the 1980s and early 1990s, his most famous role was as serial killer Russ Thorn in 1982’s The Slumber Party Massacre. He also appeared in 1983’s Love Letters, 1988’s Gotham and 1989’s Wild Orchid, among others.
Fans of the horror and thriller genres reacted with sadness to the news of Villella’s passing on social media. Several mentioned his role as Thorn as a particularly memorable performance.
“Russ Thorn is no doubt one of the scariest slashers who doesn’t even need a mask or getup, and that’s thanks to Michael’s awesomely disturbing portrayal of him. RIP. 💔,” one fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Russ Thorn is no doubt one of the scariest slashers who doesn't even need a mask or getup, and that's thanks to Michael's awesomely disturbing portrayal of him. RIP. 💔
— 𝖘𝖑𝖆𝖚𝖌𝖍𝖙𝖊𝖗 ☠️ (@miss__slaughter) November 24, 2024
“A PHENOMENAL performance,” another fan agreed. “One of the all time greats. To be an iconic slasher villain without a mask or Halloween costume etc is just incredible. Dude was incredible.”
“RIP Michael you will be missed you were such an incredible actor and an amazing person!” an X user tweeted.
“Damn RIP, Michael. Slumber Party Massacre is one of my favorites 😞,” another fan wrote.
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